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Pibrary of the Museum
OF
COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,
AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
Pounded by private subscription, in 1861.
No. 397 4 Not: t-dLan..1h) #0 fa Apr. 2s. 1687,
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THE IBIS,
A
QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY.
EDITED BY OSBERT SALVIN, M.A., F.R.S.,
AND
PHILIP LUTLEY SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.,
SECRETARY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
VOL. IV. 1880.
FOURTH SERIES.
This avis robusta et multos vivit In annos.
LONDON: JOHN VAN VOORST, 1 PATERNOSTER ROW. “1880.
PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.
PREFACE.
In concluding the twenty-second volume of ‘THE Iprs,’ litthe remains to be said by way of Preface. The assistance from our fellow workers which has been so freely given to us from the commencement of the present series has not been withheld during the past year. To them, both for favours past and to
come, our cordial thanks are due.
Ox Ss: vlan s:
Office of the British Ornithologists’ Union, 6 Tenterden Street, London, W.
Io
15
BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION.
Date of Election.
1874. 1879. 1872.
1875. 1880. 1873.
1878. 1870. IWS Ake 1866.
1868.
1880.
| An asterisk indicates an Original Member. |
Epwarp R. Atsron, F.Z.S.; 14 Maddox Street, London, W.
VarentinEe Bari; Geological Survey Office, Calcutta.
Hawnsury Barcuay, F.Z.S.; The Anchor Tube Company, Gas Street, Birmingham.
Joun Brpputpx, Capt. 19th Hussars ; Gilgit, Cashmere.
Epwarp Browrtt ; 7 Ormond Terrace, Richmond, Surrey.
W. T. Branrorp, F.R.S. &c.; Geological Survey Office, Calcutta.
Writu1Am Borrer, M.A., F.Z.S.; Cowfold, Horsham.
Sir Victor Brooxr, Bart.; Colebrooke, Fermanagh, Ireland.
Artuur Bastt Brooxn; Cardney, Dunkeld, N.B.
Heyry Bucktey, F.Z.8.; 27 Wheeley Road, Edgbaston, Bir- mingham.
Tuomas Epwarp Buckiey, B.A., F.Z.8.; Attadale House, Strath Carron, Ross-shire, N.B.
. G. E. Bunesr, late Lieut.-Col. 10th Foot, F.L.S. &c.; care of
Messrs. Wheatley & Co., 156 Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
. Water Lawry Buuier, C.M.G., Sc.D., F.B.S., F.L.S., &e. ;
care of Mr. Hoey, 7 Westminster Chambers, London, 8.W.
. THomas Davin Gipson CarmicHAzt ; Castlecraig, Dolphinton,
N.B.
. Witrram Eacte Crarke; 5 East View, Hyde Park, Leeds. . Epwarp Henry Sruart, Lord Crirron; Cobham Hall,
Gravesend.
. E. H. Coorrr, Lieut.-Col.; 42 Portman Square, London, W. . JouHN CorpuAaux ; Great Cotes, Ulceby, Lincolnshire.
20
25
30
39
40
45
Date of Election.
1866. ArrHur Wii11AM Cricuton, B.A., F.LS., F.Z.8.; Broadward Hall, Salop. 1877. J. J. Datetersn ; 8 Athole Crescent, Edinburgh. 1874. Cuarues Danrorp, F.Z.8. 1880. Arraur Dowserr; Hatherley, London Road, Reading. 1865. Henry Erres Dresszr, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. *Henry Mavrice Drummonp-Hay, C.M.Z.8., Lieut.-Col., Royal Perth Rifles; Seggieden, Perth. 1878. W. Arruur Durnrorp; Birdwell, Barnsley. 1876. Lieut. Eerrton, R.N.; Badlesmere Rectory, Faversham. 1870. Dantex Grravp Exxior, F.R.S.E., &e.; New Brighton, Staten Island, New York. 1866. Henry Joun Etwes, F.Z.8.; Preston, Cirencester. 1879. Arraur Humere Evans, B.A.; Scremerston Vicarage, Ber- wick-on-T'weed. 1877. Rev. T. J. Ewrne, D.D.; 3 Crescent Villas, Plymouth. *THomas CampsetL Eyton, F.Z.S.; Eyton Hall, Wellington, Salop. 1873. H. W. Fritpen, Captain and Paymaster, Royal Artillery. 1877. W. A. Forszs; 32 Upper Baker Street, London, W. 1880. Wittiam Forster; The Hill, Whitley, Surrey. 1865. Rev. Henry Extiorr Fox, M.A.; 30 Warwick Square, London, S.W. 1879. Ernust Gipson ; 9 Mayfield Street, Edinburgh. *FrepERIcK DuCane Gopman, F.L.S., F.Z.8. ; 10 Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London, W. *Prroy SANDEN GopmAN, B.A., C.M.Z.S.; Muntham, Horsham. 1874. H. H. Gopwin-Avsren, Lieut.-Col., F.Z.S.; Shalford House, Guildford, Surrey. 1871. Ropert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A.8.; 13 Inverleith Row, Edin- burgh. 1878. Huyry Gruy, Bengal Staff Corps; care of Messrs. Grindlay & Co. 1876. Arserr C. L. G. Ginrner, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., &.; Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum, London. *Joun Henry Gurney, F.Z.8.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 1870. Joun Henry Gurney, Jun., F.Z.8.; Northrepps Hall, Norwich. 1877. Epwarp Harcovar, M.P.; Nuneham Park, Oxford.
50
55
60
65
70
vu Date of Election.
1876. H. C. Harrorp, 99th Regiment; 2 Eldon Villa, Granada Road, Southsea. 1877. EH. Harerrr; 1 Bedford Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick. 1868. Jamus Epmunn Harrine, F.LS., F.Z.S.; 22 Regent’s Park Road, Gloucester Gate, N.W. 1873. Joun A. Harvin Brown; Dunipace House, Larbert, N.B. 1868. Rev. Herserr 8S. Hawxrns, M.A.; Beyton Rectory, Suffolk. 1875. J. C. Herz; Knowles, Newton-Abbot. 1877. E. W. H. Hotpswortn; 84 Clifton Hill, St. John’s Wood, London. *Witrrip Hupieston Hupresron, M.A., F.Z.S.; 23 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. 1879. Baron A. von Hvern; 116 High Street, Camden Town, London, N.W. 1869. Attan Octavian Hump, C.B.; Agra. 1870. Lord Hytron; Merstham, Red Hill, Surrey. 1870. Col. Lronarp Howarp L. Irsy, F.Z.S. 1880. Henry Roserr Kernan, Lieut. 74th Highlanders ; Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow. 1874, Anexanper W. M. Crark Kenyepy, Capt., F.LS., F.R.G.S., F.ZS. *ArruuR Epwarp Knox, M.A., F.LS., F.Z.S.; Trotton House, Petersfield, Sussex. 1880. Cuartes Epwarp Lawson; 19 Portsea Place, Connaught Square, London, W. 1876. Vincent Lueex, Captain R.A.; Aberystwith, Wales. *Right Hon. Tuomas Lyrrieron, Lord Lrtrorp, F.L.S., F.Z.8., &e.; Lilford Hall, Oundle, Northants. 1874. Joun Havzs Luoyp, Major, F.Z.S.; Colebrooke Lodge, Bognor, Sussex. 1877. J. LumspEn, Jun.; Arden House, Alexandria. 1875. Joun Wrnerrerp Matcorm; 7 Stanhope Street, Mayfair,
London, W.
1877. Hon. Granam Manners-Surron ; 50 Thurloe Square, London, S.W.
1878. Henry Sracey Marxs, R.A.; 15 Hamilton Terrace, London, N.W.
1870. C. H. T. Marswart, F.Z.8.; Captain, Bengal Staff Corps.
1870. G. F. L. Marswatr, F.Z.8.; Capt. Royal (Bengal) Engineers.
1878. Rev. Murray A. Marnew, M.A., F.L.S.; Stone Hall, Haverfordwest.
US
80
85
go
vill Date of Election. 1879. Freperick Suaw Mircnert; Clitheroe, Laneashire. 1864. AtpxanpER Goopman Mors, F.L.S. &c.; 3 Beechview Ter- race, Glasneyin, Dublin. 1876. Huew Nevitt; Newton Villa, Godalming. 1872. Francis D’Arcy Witr1am Crousu Newcome; Feltwell Hall, Brandon, Suffolk. *AtrreD Newton, M.A., F.R.S., V.P.Z.S.; Professor of Zoology in the University of Cambridge. *Epwarp Newton, M.A., C.M.G., F.L.S., C.M.Z.S., Colonial Secretary, Jamaica. 1876. Francis Nicnotson, F.Z.S.; Stamford Road, Bowdon, Cheshire. *Sir Joun Orns, Bart., F.Z.S., late Captain, 42nd (Royal Highland) Regiment; Kilmory House, Loch Gilp Head, N.B. 1880. THomas Parkin; Halton, near Hastings. 1880. Cuartes Marruew Prior; The Avenue, Bedford, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. 1872. R. G. Warptaw Ramsay, Capt. 67th Regiment ; Whitehill,
Rosewell, N.B.
1879. Hersert Evetyn Rawson; The Vicarage, Bromley Common, Kent.
1877. Savite G. Rei, Capt. R.E.; 14 Medway Villas, New Bromp- ton, Kent.
1873. Ottver BreavcHamp Coventry St. Jonny, Colonel R.E. *Ospert Satviy, M.A., F.R.S., &c.; Brooklands Avenue, Cam- bridge. 1870. Howarp Savunpers, F.L.8., F.Z.S8.; 7 Radnor Place, Hyde Park, London, W. *Puitre Lutiey Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., &e.; 44 Elvas- ton Place, Queen’s Gate, London, W. 1873. Henry Srrpoum, F.Z.S.; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. 1871. Ricuarp Bownprer SuHarpe, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; Senior Assistant, Zoological Department, British Museum. 1870. G. Ernest Suewrey, F.Z.8., late Captain, Grenadier Guards ; 6 Tenterden Street, Hanover Square, London, W. 1865. Rev. Coartes WitirAm Suepuerd, M.A., F.Z.8.; Trotters- cliffe Rectory, Maidstone, Kent. » 1878. Grorce Montaw Stavenrer, Surgeon-Major; Farningham, Kent.
5)
100
105
Ilo
1x Date of Election.
1864. Rev. Atrrep CHarztes Suita, M.A.; Yatesbury Rectory, Wiltshire.
1874. Crectn Suita; Lydeard House, Taunton, Somersetshire.
1875. A. C. Stark; Engadine, Torquay.
1864. Henry Srevenson, F.L.S.; 10 Unthank’s Road, Norwich.
1868. Hamow Lr Srranex, F.Z.8.; Hunstanton Hall, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
1875. Pacer Watrer Le Srranex, Lieut.-Col. Royal Artillery ; Guernsey.
*Epwarp Cavenpisu Taynor, M.A., F.Z.S.; 74 Jermyn Street,
London, W.
1864. Groren Cavenpish Taytor, F.Z.S.; 42 Elvaston Place, Queen’s Gate, London, W.
1873. Wittram Brrnoarp Trerrmerer, F.Z.S.; Finchley, Mid- dlesex.
*Rev. Henry Baker Tristram, M.A., LL:D., F.RS., &e.,
Canon of Durham; The College, Durham.
1864. Henry Morris Urcuer, F.Z.8.; Sheringham Hall, Norfolk.
1872. Herpert Taytor Ussuer, C.M.G.
1874. Cartes Byerave Wuarrton, F.Z.S.; Hounsdown, Totton, Hants.
1878. Henry THornron Wuarton, M.A., F.Z.S.; 39 St. George’s Road, Abbey Road, London, N.W.
1871. KE. Percevat Wrieut, M.D., F.L.S., F.Z.S., Professor of Botany in the University of Dublin.
1875. Cuartes A. Wrieut; Kayhough House, Kew-Gardens Road, Kew.
1876, Craupr W. Wyarr; Adderbury, Banbury.
1878. Joun Youne, F.Z.8.; 64 Hereford Road, Westbourne Grove, London, W.
1877. J. H. Yure, Lieut. 1ith Regiment; Poona, Bombay.
Extra-Ordinary Member. 1860, Atrrep Russet Wattace, F.Z.S. ; Pen-y-bryn, St. Peter’s Road, Croydon. Honorary Members.
1860. Professor Spencer FuLterton Barrp, Secretary to the Smith- sonian Institution, Washington.
10
15
Date of Election.
1860. 1860.
1870. 1880.
1860. 1860.
1869.
1860.
Doctor Epvarp Batpamus, Moritzwinger, No. 7, Halle.
Doctor Jean Casants, Erster Custos am koniglichen Museum der Friedrich-Wilhelm’s Universitit zu Berlin.
Doctor Orro Finscu.
Heiwrich Girxer, C.M.Z.S., Secretary to the Government of Heligoland.
Doctor Gustav Harriaus, Bremen.
Enear Leorotp, Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.8., H.M. Consul, Mew Caledonia.
Aveusr von Prtzetn, Custos am k.-k. zoologischen Cabinete in Wien.
Professor J. Remnnarptr, Kongelige Naturhistoriske Museum 1 Kjobenhavn.
Foreign Members.
. Prof. J. V. Barsoza pu Bocacu, Royal Museum, Lisbon.
. Hans, Graf von Brrterscu, Witzenhausen, Hessen- Nassau.
. Louis Burzav, M.D., School of Medicine, Nantes.
. Ropert Corrertr, Christiania.
. Doctor Extiorr Couns, U.S. Army, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C.
. Marchese Giacomo Doria, Genoa. . Doctor Vicror Fatio, Geneva. . Doctor Henry Hitiyrr Grersoxt, Royal Institute of Superior
Studies, Florence.
. George N. Lawrence, New York.
. Baron Dr Setys Lonecuamrs, Liege.
. Doctor A. J. Matmeren, Helsingfors.
. Doctor A. von MippEenporrr, Dorpat.
. Prof. Anpuonse Mitnz-Epwarps, Jardin des Plantes, Paris. . Prof. Gustav Rappz, T?flis.
. Rozert Rieway, C.M.Z.S., Smithsonian Institution, Wash-
ington.
. Prof. Tommaso Satvaport, Royal Museum, Turin. 2. Prof. Herman Scutecet, University Museum, Leyden.
CONTENTS or VOL. [V.—FOURTH SERIES.
(1880.)
Number XIII., January.
IL. Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernest Gisson, F.Z.8. .
II. Field-Notes on the Birds of St. Vincent, West Indies. By C. E. Lisrmr, B.A., Caius Coll. Camb.
III. Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan.—No. II. On the Birds of the Hariab District. By R.G. Warpiaw-Ramsay, F.Z.8., Memb. B.O.U., Lieut. 67th Regiment
IV. Notes upon some West-Indian Birds. By P. L. Scrarzr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. (Plate I.) :
VY. Ornithological Letters from the Pacific. No. I. - Orro Frnscu, Ph.D. , ; ‘
VI. A further Contribution to the Ornithology of Asia Minor. By C.G. Danrorp. (Plate IT.) :
VII. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal. By Tuomas Ayres. Communicated by Jonn Henry Gurney .
VIII. Preliminary Descriptions of new Birds from South America, and Remarks on some described Species. By Hans, Graf von Berterscn .
IX. On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Osspert Satvin and F. DuCane Gopman. (Plate III.)
X. Remarks on two recently published Papers on the Ornithology of the Solomon Islands. By T. Satvapori, C.M.Z.8.
Page
5 A
114
126
Xi CONTENTS.
XI. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :— Babe 1. Anderson’s ‘ Zoology of Yunnan’ 5 - 132 2. Brewer on North-American Himpidonaces Bg ue 3. Dubois on Additions to the Avifauna of Belgium . . 133 4. Dubois on two new Birds : . 133 5. Elliot’s ‘ Monograph of the Veerillee ys, le) 6. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali-Americana’ . 133 7. Gould on anew Bower-bird .... , . 134 8. Gould’s ‘ Birds of New Guinea’ . 134 9. Gould’s ‘ Birds of Asia’ . 135
10. Hartlaub on a new Quail . 135 11. Lawrence on West-Indian Birds . 135 12. Legge’s ‘ Birds of Ceylon’ : . 136 13. Milne-Edwards and Grandidier’s ‘ Mudaeascar’ aS 14. ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ Vol. 168 (Natural His- tory of the Transit Expeditions) 5) LSI
15. Radakoff on the Birds of the Lower Danube and Pruth 138 16. Ramsay on the Zoology of the Solomon Islands . 138 17. Ramsay on the Zoology of New Guinea . . 139 18. Reinhardt on the ornamental Wing-feathers of the King Eider and Mandarin Duck 5 lly) 19. Salvadori on the Birds of the Kei Islands . 140 20. Schlegel on Nisus rufitorques and LV. ae Be . 140 21. Schlegel on Stria ineapectata 2 ea leLO) 22. Schlegel on a new Cuckoo . . 140 23. Schlegel on Strix tenebricosa arfaki . 140 24, Schlegel on a new Treron . 141 25. Schlegel on Artamia bermerr 5 lol 26. Schlegel on a new Heron . 141 27. Schlegel on Hypherpes corallirostris . 141 28. Schlegel on Talegallus pyrrhopygius . 4d 29. Schlegel on Gallinula frankw . ° . 142 30. Sclater’s ‘ Jacamars and Puff-Birds’ . 142 31. Shelley’s ‘Monograph of the Sun-Birds’ . 142 32. Taczanowski on the Red-tailed Shrikes of Central Wea 143
XII. Letters, Announcements, &¢. :—
Letters from EK. Cavendish Taylor, J. H. Gurney, and T. Sal- vadori; News of Major St. John; New Kast-African Birds ; New Indian Finch; Obituary of Professor Garrod, F.R.S.; Rediscovery of Loddigesia mirabilis Mere 6 5 lee
CONTENTS. Number XIV., April.
XIII. Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernust Grpson, F.Z.8.
XIV. On the Birds of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia. By Osserr Satvrin and F. DuCanr Gopman. (Plates IV. & V.) .
XY. Contributions to the Ornithology of Siberia. By Henry SEEBOHM . iM de
XVI. Notes on a ‘ Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum’ by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurney
XVII. Note on Sumatran Specimens of <dAccipiter stevensont and Scops lempyi. By J. H. Gurney
XVIII. Ornithological Letters from the Pacific. No. II. By Orro Fryscu, Ph.D.
XIX. Notes on the Avifauna of the yen Islands. “By Evear L. Layarp, C.M.G., F.Z.S., &c., H.B.M. Consul, and Ki. Leorotp C. Layarp, Vice-Consul at Noumea
XX. Remarks on Dr. Gadow’s Papers on the Digestive System of Birds. By W. A. Forsus, B.A., F.L.S., Prosector to the Zoological Society of London .
XXI. Descriptions of two new Species of Parrots and a new Pigeon from South America. By Gnorer N. Lawrence
XXII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :—
33. Bogdanow’s ‘ Birds of the Caucasus ’
34. Ball’s ‘ Jungle-Life in India’ hae : 35. Coues’s ‘ American Ornithological Biblisgraniye 36. Deslongchamps on the Genus Florisuga .
37. Dole on the Birds of the Hawaiian Islands . 38. Elliot’s ‘ List of Humming-birds’
39. Finsch’s ‘ Journey to Western Siberia’
40. Hume and Marshall’s ‘Game Birds of India’ 41. Hutton on a new Penguin .
42. Meyer’s Index to Reichenbach’s Ghavtiolaeteal Wiens 43. Newton’s Edition of Tunstall’s ‘ Ornithologia ’ 44, Oustalet’s ‘ Ornithological Notes’
45. Oustalet on the Birds of the Gaboon .
46. Oustalet on Birds from the Loss Islands .
X11
. 1538
. 218
Xiv CONTENTS.
XXIII. Letters, Announcements, &c. :— eee
Letters from Canon Tristram (two), Mr. J. H. Gurney, Mr. Howard Saunders, and Dr. A. B. Meyer; The Socotran Expe- dition ; Fossil Asiatic Ostriches ; Conothraupis, a new Genus of Tanagers; Meyer’s Chart of New Guinea ; Obituary—Mr. Edward Hearle Rodd, Dr. T. M. Brewer, and Mr. J. RK. Sturge ; New Works in preparation ; Salvadori’s ‘ Ornithology of New Guinea; Ober’s Researches in the West Indies . . . . . 245
Noumper XV., July.
XXIV. Additional Notes on the Ornithology of Transvaal.
By Tuomas Ayres. Communicated by J. H.Gurnny . . . 257 XXY. Various Corrections of ee in the Family Sylviide. By Henry Srrpoum . . : 2h eel XXVI. Notes on the cane of can Re E. L. DEAR UE Ze Sac. ecto ton net Le ee ey een ue 09) ' XXVII. On the Habits of the nel as © dee By E.¥F.Sanpeman . . 5 ie 2elo
XXVIII. Notes of a Collecting-trip in the New Hebrides, the Solomon Islands, New Britain, and the Duke-of-York Islands. By E. L.C. Layarp. With Remarks by E. L. Layarp, F.Z.8. &c. 290
XXIX. Note on the Rallus sulcirostris of Wallace and its Allies; SBycP wi Scuarmr (Plate Vil) i ee eee Oe
XXX. Notes on a ‘Catalogue of the Accipitres in the British Museum’ a R. Bowdler Pe Ce By J. H.
(Crome, 5. Go ey ede weet . : Mets) 6 Olly XXXI. Ornithological Letters from the Pacific. No. III.
iy One) owtara nD, Os 4 5 3 5 6 a eo a 4 Gr) XXXII. Descriptions of four new Species of EKast-African
Birds. By Capt. G. E. Saetney. (Plates VII. & VIII.) . . 333 XXXII. Notes on the Avifauna of New Caledonia and the
Loyalty Islands. By EH. L. Layarp,C.M.G.&. . . . . . 336
XXXIV. Remarks on the present State of the Systema Avium. By ae Me SCUAMER: cy fo) 2 (\ ri Dei iie) ewe cl 3 igs” on ay. ee mn)
CONTENTS, XV
Page
XXXV. A List of Birds collected by the late Henry Durnford during his last Expedition to Tucuman and Salta. By Osserr Satvin. (Plates IX. & X.). Sete Set SBI
XXXVI. On an apparently new Species of Pigeon of the Genus Otidiphaps from Southern New Guinea. By Osserr Savin and F. DuCanr Gopman. (Plate XI)... . . . 364
XXXVII. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :— 47. Barboza du Bocage on the Fauna of West Africa. . 366
48. Barboza du Bocage on Birds from West Africa. . . 366 49. Brewer on Birds from New England. . .. . . 366 50. Buller on Hudynamis taitensis . . . . . . . . 867 Hleebullerion a species of Lestws | 3) 4 aie ess 2 SOOT 52. Buller on Larus bullert . .. SIN 8 . 367 53. Buller on the Occurrence of Hir a: nigricans in Nets Healait des starve ss) eh. . 368
54. Buller on Additions to he Birds of New, Zealand. . 368 55. Buller’s Contributions to the Ornithology of New Aealandtges a eo OS 56. ‘ Bulletin’ of the Nuttall Oumar Club 56 io BGs 57. Bureau on the Moulting of the Beak in Birds . . . 369 58. Frenzel on Parrots of the Genus Coryllis . . . . 369 59. Gigloli and Manzella’s Figures of Italian Birds . . 369 60. Godman and Salvin’s ‘ Biologia Centrali- Americana’. 370
61. Hutton on Phalacrocorax carunculatus . . . . . 870 G2sJouanson).thesBirdsrot Oceantay.\ ssn) ule eee oO G3s7Relzelnvone Birds) trom) hcuador.) 4.2.04 ent | ee 7all 64s Pelzelnton Birds mromebormeoe, = 1 8/2) ae a eau 65. Ramsay on Birds from New Guinea . . . . . . 372 66. Reichenow on Foreign Cage-Birds . .. . . . 372 67. Sclater’s ‘Jacamars and Puff-birds’ .-. . . . . 372
68. Taczanowski on the Birds of Askold Island. . . . 373 GOT Wolfs Wasit to) the Galapagos: = lie) sayeh ei) oe O73
XXXVIII. Letters, Extracts, Announcements, &c. :—
Letters from Dr. A. B. Meyer (2); Cormorant-fishing in China; Note on Chrysotis apophenica; Death of Mr. Frank of Am- sterdam ; Mr. Forbes’s Expedition to Brazil; Continuation of Mr. Gould’s ‘ Humming-birds ;’ Acquisitions of the British Mu- seum in the Class of Birds in 1879-80; The Birds of Socotra ;
XVi CONTENTS.
Page Mr. Ober’s new Expedition to the Antilles; The Museum Godeffroy ; Eggs of the Great Auk; Short Notes from New Caledonia ; New Birds from Eastern Africa ; Salvadori’s ‘ Pa- puan Ornithology ;’ Note on Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus ; Garrod Memorial; List of Ornithological Works in course of Publication and Dates of last Parts issued ; Communications deferred’and expected)... 2°") ees) EN fe
Noumperr XVL., October.
XXXIX. Field-notes on the Birds of Denmark. By H. J. AGTEWAES: ica Eo. vee | Re NSP B50 EERSTE ee eS
XL. Remarks on the present State of the Systema Avium. By Pe Me SSOLATER "fe De eeu e Se ioe a Mow ot ni een LS,
XLI. Henry Durnrorp’s last Expedition to Tucuman and Salta; “@PlatecX.) Gea oaks Be |. ae
XLII. Ornithological Letters from the Pacific.—No. IV. The Gilbert Islands, Kingsmill Group. By Orro Fiyscn, Ph.D. &c. 429
XLUI. Archeopteryx macrura, an Intermediate Form be- tween Birds and Reptiles. By Cart Voer, Professor in the Winiversiby of Geneva. | (Plate Xan) ey 2 easements
XLIV. Description of a new Genus and Species of Owl from the Seychelles Islands. By Canon H. B. Tristram, F.R.S.
(BlgteE RT Vs) We. ew eg peated ie i auld ces cE Sa ee XLV. Remarks on two Species of Halcyon. By E. L. linkvoNemns | Celene KONE PG Gi cis a) Long vie mnt: 3 45)
XLVI. Note on Pachycephala assimilis of J. Verreaux and @-Des) Murs By abel sand eh. C AAR Dee ee eee GO)
XLVII. Notes on a ‘Catalogue of Accipitres in the British Museum’ by R. Bowdler Sharpe (1874). By J. H. Gurnny . 462
XLVIII. On the Nesting in Confinement of the Snowy Owl.
By di HEMGURNENS % url) cau aot Rie calle a ene a XLIX. Notices of recent Ornithological Publications :—
70. Cory’s ‘ Birds of the Bahamas’. . . 473
ibe De Selys-Longchamps on the Gisecticanion of Birds . 473
2. Finsch on the Birds of Western Siberia. . . . . 473
3, Gould on two new Humming-birds from Bolivia . . 474
CONTENTS.
74. Gould’s ‘Supplement to the Trochilide ’.
75. Gould’s ‘ Birds of New Guinea’ :
76. Harvie-Brown on the Shiant Islands and en Bird-life
77. Harvie-Brown and Cordeaux, ‘ Report on the Migra- tion of Birds’
78. Jones and Shultze, ‘ ueerat one of Te Nests and Hees of the Birds of Ohio’
79. Ober’s ‘Camps in the Caribbees’
80. Pascoe’s ‘ Zoological Classification ’
81. Reichenow and Schalow’s ‘ Compendium’
82. Ridgway’s ‘ Revisions of the Nomenclature of certain North-American Birds’
83. Salvadori on the Genus Porphyrio .
84. Salvadori on the Ornithology of Papua and fhe Molnecas
85. Salvadori on Porzana moluccana :
86. Saivadori on certain Species of Collocalia
87. Sennett’s Notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Bis Grande of Texas
L. Letters, Extracts, Announcements, &c. :— Letter from Lord Lilford; Death of Dr. P. V. Lund
Index .
SER. IV.—VOL. Iv. b
479
Sem) . 479
479
. 480
. 485
PLATES IN VOL. IV.
FOURTH SERIES.
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XGuen MIO CSUSTCINETCUS La ell ou Gere oath i4) -<t \us eT, ~ XI. Otidiphaps regalis . . Wee ccy Chee hala Sed ROO ‘ XII. Map of Tucuman and Shits 5) ALANS Rees Nes we rey niece wees al ANG ACh -eOptery:xeMACKUrA may lls) eel sce aap eto. Rares Gy mnoscopsiinsularis: ainsi.) 2s eel ae 200 Pe Wee alcvonytristramigi os veges) © |isiee)) cape ko
ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA.
Line
9, for SEMITORQUATUS read SUBTORQUATUS. 30, for Scors read Scorus.
12, for rubrofrontata read rufofrontata.
EE ip) Wyss.
FOURTH SERIES.
No. XIII. JANUARY 1880.
I.—Ornithological Notes from the Neighbourhood of Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. By Ernest Gisson, F.Z.S8.
[Continued from ‘The Ibis,’ 1879, p. 424. |
12. Conurus pataconus. ‘ Barranquero.”’
Very abundant, but not a resident. From the middle of April to the end of November they pass and repass over our land, coming from the S.W. in the morning, and returning in the evening. They are generally most numerous in the colder months; and my daily notes give no instance of any seen during the months of December, January, February, and March. Sometimes a solitary individual passes ; but they are really gregarious, the flocks averaging, say, twenty. On some occasions, and particularly in the afternoon, these flocks may be counted by the hundred. While flying, the members of each party call frequently to one another, as well as to any other flock. The cry is loud, short, but not altogether inharmonious. In the morning they fly low, and frequently sweep quite close down to the ground in a compact body. The native boys often kill one or two birds out of a flock when it passes near them, by taking advantage of this habit and
SER. IV.—VOL. IV. B
2 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
throwing a twisted piece of fencing-wire into their midst. In the morning the flocks generally adopt a line which takes them over several of our woods, where they alight (asif tired and dubious of their way) while they chatter among them- selves for a few minutes, and then take to flight again, some- times following the calls of another passing flock, or induce the latter to settle beside them and share the consultation. In the evening again they fly high, and rarely alight.
Now the direction all these birds take is towards the rim- cones, and though I have not actually found them feeding there ; the contents of various crops examined have invariably proved to be vegetable, apparently the inner stems or young shoots of some esparto or other grass (“ shoots or buds of some plant or grass,” my notes say, ‘“‘ white, tender, about } inch long, and slender ”’). This, however, does not quite agree with what Mr. Durnford found to be their food in the Chuput valley, whence, in November, he writes, “They fed on the young leaves of a species of thorn, the stomach of one shot on the 24th November being crammed with these;” and again, from Baradero, in the north of this province, that they feed “ chiefly on buds and the seed of sena-sena, a spe- cies of Acacia, very common here.”
None of these visiting our district pass the night here ; and the nearest breeding-locality is, I suppose, the cliffs or bar- rancas (hence the name “ Barranquero”’) of the arroyos on this side of the Sierras de Tandil.
They are not very shy (though more so than Bolborhynchus monachus), and frequently alight on the corrales and trees in the immediate vicinity of houses. Indeed I have been told that they are rather partial to the roofs of ranchos in some districts, where, in the early morning, they make havoc with the thatch, and rouse the inmates with their noise.
The flight is powerful and rapid, but rather wavering, as if the lengthy tail were inadequate to the duty of keeping its owner steady.
Italians and other foreigners shoot them for the pot; but I fancy that, however savoury, C. patagonus is rather a tough morsel.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 3
13. BotBorHyncuus MonacHus. “ Loro.”
In thousands. All the woods are full of their great nests, with their bright-coloured talkative denizens ; all day long rises their noisy chatter, drowning almost every other sound in wood and garden ; and, lastly, all the apples, pears, peaches, and medlars in said garden meet with their but too thorough appreciation.
This species, like the last, is gregarious, feeding in flocks and building in communities.
It is one, too, that I have rather an animosity against ; for, hike the Lapwing (Vanellus cayennensis) in the plains, it plays the part of sentinel to all its feathered neighbours. One steals gently through the underwood, stalking some wary bird of prey or flock of tree-building Teal, and glancing up in a de- precatory way at the Perroquets’ nests—but all in vain: the subdued chatter suddenly becomes an ominous silence (sufficient betrayal in itself) ; a hundred pairs of black beady eyes survey the intruder from the nests and neighbouring branches; and then there follows the whirring of as many wings, while a row arises that would put all the Rooks that ever “caw’d” to shame. Gone is the warned quarry, while the exasperated writer of these notes makes a hasty calculation as to which is the largest group of Perroquets, and knocks over half a dozen accordingly, “to encourage the rest.”
The nests are frequented all the year round; and it is of rare occurrence to find any large one totally deserted during the day.
During the summer and autumn the thistle is the principal food of B. monachus. In the former season the flowering thistle-heads are cut off, and generally carried to the top of the nearest tree, there to be pulled to pieces for the sake of the green kernel. In the autumn, when the ripe seeds have fallen, they are sought for on the ground.
Early morning, just between daybreak and sunrise, is the favourite hour for their depredations in the garden, though scores frequent it during the day also. They never carry off the fruit, but gnaw at it as it hangs, abandoning one apple for another, and that for a third, in a most destructive manner.
B2
4, Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
To show how little does shyness enter into their constitu- tion, I have known seventy-five to be shot in the garden in the course of a forenoon, the fowler standing in the open, close to a dead tree, which formed their favourite perch on arriving from the surrounding woods. The Basques and Italians who come from the neighbouring township for a day’s Perroquet-shooting, scorn to fire at any group that will not yield four or five dead birds at least, and, indifferent shots as they are, kill as many as they can carry. Apropos of these fellows, I once came upon one who, having just reloaded his old gun, was in the act of recapping it. To do so he had placed the muzzle against a fallen tree, and, with the butt jammed into the pit of his stomach, was pull- ing up the dog-heads with one hand while he put on the caps with the other, ‘‘con que me fui” (“upon which 1 went”), as the Spaniards would say; for I incontinently turned and fied !
The flight of B. monachus is rapid, with quick flutters of the wings, which seem never to be raised to the level of the body, nor yet brought sufficiently forward. Like Conurus patagonus, too, the straight unexpanded tail fails to keep the bird on an even keel as it were, first one side rising higher and then the other.
While the presence of Carancho or Chimango is ignored, any other bird of prey is generally mobbed when it first appears in the woods. All the Perroquets rise in a regular crowd, and hover over and above it, screaming and chat- tering angrily.
Young birds are sometimes taught to speak ; but their arti- culation is, as a rule, indistinct. I remember hearing of one, however, which was seized and carried off by a Carancho, giving utterance to its despair in a singularly appropriate exclamation—‘‘ Ay de mi, ay de mi” (alas! alas!). Imita- tions of poultry &c. are very faithfully rendered. One, which had escaped from its owner, long retained the hoarse “‘ Pretty Poll” it had acquired in captivity, no doubt to the envy of its uneducated relatives, and to my frequent bewilderment as I strolled through the wood it frequented.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 5
Breeding- Notes —The nests are generally suspended from the extremities of branches, to which they are firmly built or woven in. ‘The new nests consist only of two chambers, the porch and nest proper, and are built and inhabited by a single pair of birds. These become gradually added to, till plenty of them come to weigh perhaps a quarter of a ton each and are of a bulk enough to fill a large cart. Thorny tala twigs (no branches), firmly interlaced, form the only materiai ; and there is no lining to the chambers, even in the breeding- season. Some old forest trees have seven or eight of these huge masses suspended to their branches, while the ground underneath is strewn with twigs and the remains of fallen nests. The entrance to the chambers is almost invariably underneath, or, if on the side, is protected by the overhanging eave, doubtless in both cases as a safeguard against the attacks of the opossum (Didelphys aurita). These entrances lead. into a porch or outer chamber ; and the latter communicates with the breeding-chamber. There is no interior communi- cation between these sets of apartments ; and each set is inha- bited, in the breeding-season at least, by only one pair of *“Loros.”” The number of pairs perhaps never exceeds a dozen, even with the largest nests. Repairs are carried on all the year round; but additions and new nests are only formed towards the spring.
Opossums are frequently found in one or other of the upper chambers, the entrance having been made too high, and so af- fording access. But though they take up their abode there, they cannot force their way into the remainder of the nest; and the Perroquets refuse to be driven away. In fact, the latter are most aggravatingly obstinate on the question of their manorial rights. Notwithstanding all our efforts, two or three nests are now established in the garden itself, in some fine old pine trees ; and there the birds sit all day and hack off the twigs, or descend onto the fruit-trees and eat peaches. I have picked off these squatters through the day, and banged whole handfuls of shot ito the nests at night, besides fre- quently pulling down the latter ; but the “ Loros” could give Bruce’s famous spider heavy odds in the perseverance line of
6 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
business, and beat it then; so it is not surprising that they have had the best of the warfare.
A species of Teal breeds in the nests of B. monachus ; and m one case I found an opossum domiciled in an upper chamber, Perroquets occupying all the others but one, in which a Teal was sitting on eggs.
The breeding-season does not begin till about the Ist of November ; but I have taken eggs as late as the 19th of De- cember. Seven and eight are the largest clutches taken ; but I have never seen more than six of these hatched out. As I said before, the eggs are laid on the thickly matted flooring of the second or inner chamber, and without any prepara- tory lining.
Thirty-one specimens give an average measurement of 15x 2%. The largest is 18, x 3%, and the smallest 1 x #}. They are white in colour, but of a dull or opaque white, very thin-shelled, and, besides being elongated in appearance, have generally their greatest diameter exactly equidistant from the two ends; so that, in fact, they cannot be said to have a big and a small end.
14. CoLUMBA PICAZURO.
(I had supposed this to be C. maculosa, but now learn that C. picazuro is more likely to be our species, as it is that of Buenos Ayres, C. maculosa occurring near Mendoza and again, further south, in Patagonia.)
Common, but only abundant in the winter months. Those few seen during the summer have remained to breed; but the majority make their appearance about the beginning of May, and leave at the end of September.
In the months of June and July the “chamico” (Séra- monium) principally supplies this Pigeon with food, the nutri- tive oily seeds then falling from the ripened seed-vessels, and attracting flocks of from ten to a hundred of this species. At the end of August I have found the crop filled with leaves of the “ carretilla” (a trefoil), while in May and August large flocks frequent the offal-ground of the killing-establishment. Indeed I have more than once observed it at recently skinned
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 7
carcasses of sheep, before the Caranchos and Chimangos had made their appearance.
At night they roost on the summits of the highest tala trees, arriving at certain favourite spots just before sundown, but never exceeding a hundred in any one locality.
The voice, as Mr. Hudson justly remarks, is the most agreeable Dove-melody conceivable; and at certain seasons our woods seem filled with its soft murmurs.
A few frequent our garden ; and they have twice bred there ; but C. picazuro is rather a timid bird, and prefers, as a rule, the quietness of the woods.
Breeding-Notes.—It breeds in the months of November ‘and beginning of December, the nest, a shallow light struc- ture of sticks and twigs, being placed either in the centre of the tree or at the extremity of a branch, at a height of gene- rally fifteen feet from the ground. One was constructed in a pollard acacia in the garden, being lodged among the thick young shoots, but close to the trunk of the tree.
Six years’ researches have only yielded me as many nests of C. picazuro—two in 1873, and four in 1875. These six nests only contained one egg each; and as it happened that they were all more or less incubated, I came to the conclusion that here was a Pigeon which departed from the usual rule, and, instead of two eggs, laid only one. The evidence in support of the case is, I think, sufficiently conclusive; and I should now like to learn if the fact has already been recorded, and if this exception to the general rule is unique *.
The six eggs average 123 x 1,%,, the largest being 132 x 1,5, and the smallest 132x1;4. The variation in size is very considerable ; and the same may be remarked of the shape, the shortest specimen having the greatest diameter, for example. ©
15. CoLUMBULA PICUI.
This species was not uncommon in the winter of 1874, two or three small flocks of from two to half a dozen frequenting
* [The Crowned Pigeons (Gowra) and several other Pigeons that have bred in the Zoological Society’s Gardens lay but one egg.—Epp. ]
8 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
the garden and lucern-patch. In 1876 I caught a glimpse of one in the garden, also during the winter months ; but, with this solitary exception, I have no note of its appearance, either before or since 1874.
It struts and runs about the ground in the usual pigeon- fashion, and is by no means shy.
16. ZENAIDA MACULATA.
Very abundant, indeed even more so than Bolborhynchus monachus. In the breeding-season every tree or bush seems to contain a nest, and the sitting birds rise at every step one takes.
It feeds on thistle and other seeds, and is a great frequenter of our patio (courtyard), where it associates with various other birds, and secures a share of the débris from the kitchens.
Not so stately in its gait as C. picazuro, its familiarity and pretty ways still render it a general favourite. I may also note that it is less gregarious in its habits than C. picazuro.
Breeding-Notes.—The breeding-season lasts from the be- ginning of September to the end of March. ‘The nests are placed in any tree or bush, sometimes within two or three feet of the ground. A large densely foliaged coronillo tree often contains two or three nests with eggs, to say nothing of those of former years. These sometimes serve as the basis of a new nest; but, as a rule, a fresh site is chosen annually ; and the platform-like structure of dead sticks and twigs, occa- sionally cushioned with some dry grass or a few feathers, is quickly ready for the two eggs.
The eggs are white, like those of C. picazuro, but of a greater diameter in proportion to their length. ‘Twenty-five specimens average 17x #3, and vary from 1}}x %§ to lis X 23 -
17. Guira prriricua (Vieill.). Native name “ Uraca.”
Common, but irregular in its appearance. It is most abundant in the winter; and only a few remain through the summer. It is a noteworthy fact that the latter should be the case here ; for at Baradero, in the north of the province,
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 9
it is exactly reversed. Mr. Durnford writes, “‘ A few remain with us all the winter, but the majority leave after the breed- ing-time.”
Here it is gregarious, the flocks ranging up to twenty in number. These frequent the woods and, occasionally, the swamps.
In the winter mornings, just at sunrise, one frequently surprises them in the woods, enjoying the grateful warmth of the sun in a rather peculiar fashion: they all have their backs to it, and drop the wings in such a way as to expose that sparsely-feathered part to the heat. In roosting, again, they crowd together in a row on some horizontal branch in a well-sheltered corner, facing different ways in exactly alter- nate order; so that the arrangement of the drooping tails makes the group look rather puzzling at first, till one be- comes acquainted with the habit.
In flight it is slow and very feeble, and on alighting on a tree or, more noticeably, on the ground, the long tail is like to make its owner perform an involuntary somersault.
The general cry is a harsh scream, with which all intruders are greeted; but it has also a rarer and much more musical note, in the utterance of which it is so jealous that I could never yet get a glimpse of the bird in order to see the way in which it is produced. It consists of a regular gamut, beginning at the high note, and descending with great fidelity through four or five others, till it dies away. The notes are equally regular in time and duration, and most charmingly plaintive and musical in sound.
Natives have told me that young birds, taken from the nest, can be taught to speak, which I do not consider unlikely, from the strange construction of the tongue.
As I said, any intruder is received with the harsher lan- guage ; and the whole flock will congregate on the surround- ing trees (the summits of which are generally preferred) within a few yards of him.
Guira piririgua, as may have been gathered from the fore- going notes, is by no means shy, and not only may be closely approached in the woods, but ventures of its own accord
10 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
among the buildings and yards of the head station. I once saw a solitary individual in the garden, however, whose exist- tence was being rendered miserable by the persistent attacks and persecution of a specimen of that well-named species Pitangus bellicosus.
To the list of food furnished by Mr. Durnford (“ snails, slugs, and bits of meat or offal’’) I may add a small frog, about the size of half a walnut, and which is sought for in the lucern-patch. This is swallowed entire, as I have often found on dissection of the birds.
Breeding-Notes.—Before my arrival in Buenos Ayres, I was aware of the beauty and unique style of colouring of the ege, and consequently have always hunted diligently for nests ; but I regret to say that my researches, though not altogether fruitless, have not been so well rewarded as they deserve. The natives, in answer to my inquiries, told me that it bred only in the autumn, which information, as far as my experience goes, has proved to be correct. This agrees with Mr. Durnford’s Baradero statement, that it has “two broods in the season.”
One nest I heard of was placed among tall dead thistles (off the ground), in the plains, but near a house. It had eggs; but of its construction I could gather nothing from my informant. Time, end of summer.
The second case consisted of a single egg, brought to me some time in autumn., The nest, situated in one of the woods of the head station, seemed to be nothing more nor less than a deserted Wood-Pigeon’s. No birds seen.
The particulars of my only personal discovery I will ex- tract verbatim from my note-book :—‘‘ 18th March, 1876. Clutch of four, considerably incubated. Birds first observed on 10th inst. Generally only a pair about, but on one occa- sion observed no less than fourteen. Nest placed in top and centre of a very thick coronillo tree, about nine feet from the ground. Size of a Thrush’s, and consists entirely of thorny twigs, with a lining of green elder-tree leaves.”
These four eggs have an everage measurement of 149 x 14/5; consequently they are larger than might have been expected
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. ll
from the size of the bird, besides being more spherical than oval in their shape. It is to their appearance, though, that I would more particularly allude. The ground-colour is a pure pale blue, over which is spread a white incrustation of lime, in such a way that it resembles a piece of lace thrown over the egg. The latter marking being in relief also, adds to the peculiarity of the egg, and, with the exception of that of Nothura maculosa, makes it the most beautiful and striking object in my collection.
18. Curysorrinus cristatus. Native name “ Carpintero.”
Not uncommon, by which I mean that every large wood contains at least one pair. The group of woods surrounding the head station boasts of two pairs ; and during the last two years one of them has bred in the garden.
Its beauty, familiarity, and clear metallic cry render it a most noticeable and general favourite.
The flight is rapid, though low, and never long sustained, and is marked by alternate rises and falls.
What struck me as a peculiarity was the habit of frequently perching on the top of a tree or bush, or on one of the branches, though its most general attitude is the regular Woodpecker one—against a tree-trunk, and supported by its tail. In this position, with the mottled yellow and black plumage relieved by the conspicuous crimson crest, and the head turned watchfully to one side as it rings out the well- known call, no bird looks more attractive.
As our tala woods contain any amount of old trees, and are infested by thousands of insects and grubs, it is surprising this species does not increase. However, traces of its inde- fatigable researches are visible nearly everywhere; and I count a score of old breeding-places im the course of an hour’s walk.
C. cristatus will coolly survey oue from within a few yards’ distance, retreating from tree to tree if approached too closely, but rarely dodging behind tree-trunks or showing much trace of suspicious fears. Nay, the very boldness with which it utters its cry indicates a total disregard for bipeds and shot-
12 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
guns. The annexed breeding-notes witness to its confidence when nesting.
Breeding-Notes.—The excavation for the nest is begun as early as September; but the eggs are only laid during the first half of October. The hole is generally commenced where some branch has decayed away; but care is taken that the remainder of the tree is sound. It opens at a height of from six to nine feet from the ground, and is excavated to a depth of nearly a foot. Occasionally it is sufficiently wide to admit of one’s hand; but such is not always the rule. No preparation is made for the eggs beyond the usual lining of some chips of wood.
The pair which frequented the garden excavated a hole in a paraiso tree, and bred there for two consecutive years. The tree stood near one of the walks ; and on any one passing, the sitting bird immediately showed its head at the aperture, like a jack-in-the-box, and then flew away. Last year this pair actually bred in one of the posts of the horse-corral, notwithstanding the noise and bustle incident to such a locality. While waiting there, at sunrise, for the herd of horses to be shut in, I used often to knock at the post, in order to make the Woodpecker leave its nest; but the bird seemed indifferent to such a mild attack, and would even sit still while a hundred horses and mares rushed about the corral or hurled themselves against the sides of it. In another case I had worked with hammer and chisel for half an hour, cutting a hole on a level with the bottom of a nest, when the female first demonstrated her presence by flying out, almost into my face. This last nest contained four (considerably incubated) eggs, which I took. Happening to pass the spot a fortnight after, I inspected the hole, and was surprised to find that it had been deepened, and other five eggs laid, while the entrance I had cut was the one now used by the birds. The nest was again resorted to the following year, anda brood hatched out; but since then a pair of Wrens have oc- cupied the place, to the exclusion of the rightful owners.
The glossy pear-shaped eggs (four or five to the nest) have an average measurement of 1%, or 14x $3. A dozen spe-
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 13
cimens show a variation in length of from 125 to 1,%, but otherwise present no noteworthy peculiarity.
I once saw two or three young, full-fledged, which had been taken from the nest. They were quickly tamed, and used to sit in the warm sun and look out for red ants, but, unfortunately, did not live long.
19. GEOSITTA CUNICULARIA.
This is a most common bird in the campo or plains, to which it is confined, though one may notice it about the borders of any wood also, should there be a biscachero situated near. It has a trick of rising in front of one, flying a few yards, and alighting again—a performance which it continues to repeat in a manner that soon makes its dull uninteresting appearance familiar to a stranger. I don’t think I ever saw more than one pair frequenting any biscachero ; nor is it ever gregarious in its habits. The flight is fairly quick and strong, but never prolonged ; and it chooses the ground to alight on in preference to trees or thistles. There its attitude is upright, and in gait &c. it approaches nearer the Thrushes. From this, and the reddish hue of the plumage, I have often taken it at the first glance for the Red Oven-bird (Furnarius rufus) .
From never haying dissected a specimen, I am unable to state the nature of its food; nor yet have I ever observed it feeding in the camp.
Breeding-Notes.—G. cunicularia is one of our earliest- breeding birds, eggs being usually taken in the first half of September, the range extending from the 28th of August to the 5th of November, according to my notes. On the 16th of August I have seen the excavation of a nest begun. This (with us at least) is invariably situated in the brow of one of the burrows of a biscachero (colony of Lagostomus trichodac- tylus) ; and as a new one is made every year, it is often diffi- cult to tell which hole to open up. The passage varies in length from two to four feet, with a slight downward ten- dency, and terminates in a cavity shaped like a cocoa-nut, but a little larger. This is prepared for the reception of the eggs by a pile or cushion of soft dry grass, sometimes very
14 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
sparse. The slope of the passage I have always found to be correctly calculated, so as not to disconcert the bird by a possible emergence into the open air should the ground fall away behind the burrow. The bird sits close, and may often be excavated with the nest.
Three is the general number of eggs laid ; and I only once recollect taking a nest with four. ‘The colour is white. Twenty-four specimens give an average measurement of #5 x 28. The variation in size is pretty considerable.
Hirundo leucorrhoa (Vieill.) not unfrequently occupies and breeds in a deserted nest of Geositia cunicularia.
20. MoLoTHRUS BONARIENSIS.
A species but too common, as my oological experiences have
often proved. - One sees it everywhere—in the plains, the woods, and the swamps. It is one of the most regular and abundant fre- quenters of the patios or courtyards, where the beautiful glossy black plumage of the male reflects the sunlight in all the metallic tints of blue, green, purple, and violet, as it runs about within a few yards of the observer, or gives utterance to its note (a peculiar gurgle, as if it had water in its throat). It has the Starling-like habit of craning up its head to observe any distant or suspicious object, and, also like that bird, may often be seen perched on the backs of the cattle or sheep.
At times, generally in the winter months, as far as some insufficient notes bear me out, it gathers into flocks; and these flocks seem to consist principally of males. However, it is at all times semigregarious in its habits.
Though it lays in the nests of a considerable number of other birds, the Sparrow (Zonotrichia pileata, Bodd.) is the most highly distinguished of all in that respect, and is the only one I have ever seen feeding the young bird. ‘The latter follows its foster-mother for some time after leaving the nest, and, with open gape, may be seen perpetually clamouring for food, which the unfortunate little Sparrow must find hard to supply in sufficient quantity.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 15
I may here insert the following note, dated end of Feb- ruary :—‘‘ Saw what I took to be two young of this species, perched on the back of a sheep. Both were in the usual im- mature grey plumage; but in addition one had a dark patch on the back of head, another on neck, and a third on the back, embracing part of the wings.” I have never since seen a specimen with similar markings, the type being, as already noted, of a uniform grey in the young.
Independent of its parasitical habits, it causes great de- struction among the smaller birds by puncturing and sucking their eggs on every possible occasion. Bitter experience has taught me the folly of ever leaving any nest of eggs till the full clutch should be laid ; for some of these black thieves are sure to be watching one’s actions, with a result that may be imagined but is too painful to describe.
The food is very varied, as might be inferred from the general distribution of the bird; and nothing, either of an animal or vegetable nature, seems to come amiss to it. In company with Amblyrhamphus holosericeus, it takes a too kind interest in the maize-patch, and also frequently asso- ciates with Pseudoleistes virescens, on the principle, I suppose, that “ birds of a feather flock together ”—P. virescens being semiparasitical, worse luck to it !
Breeding-Notes.—M. bonariensis is parasitical on the fol- lowing birds :—the Sparrow (Zonotrichia pileata), Wren (Troglodytes furvus), Red Oven-bird (Furnarius rufus), Pseu- doleistes virescens, Thrush (Turdus rufiventris), Chrysomi- tris magellanica, Leptasthenura egithaloides, Progne tapera Lichenops perspicillata, Scissor-Bird (Milvulus tyrannus— ten species in all, though this list may doubtless be easily added to.
My specimens were mostly taken in one season ; so that I can only state approximately the duration of the breeding- season—namely, from 20th October to 10th January. It is likely, however, that it begins to breed earlier.
Four was the largest number taken out of one nest (that of a Wren) ; and these were in various stages of incubation.
16 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
Forty-seven specimens average #3 x 73, with some con- siderable variation. They are round in shape, and strong- shelled, the colour a glossy white or bluish white.
21. Furnarius rurus. (Red Oven-bird.) Native name SAOrnerold,
That this species is abundant I need not say ; and it is also probably one of the best-known of our Buenos-Ayrean birds. It is confined almost entirely to the woods ; for the open plains are unsuited to its building-habits. But any rancho, how- ever solitary, can boast of a pair, as it only wants something to perch its nest upon.
Its appearance is uninteresting, though its gait (which is like that of a gigantic Robin) is rather amusing. The only note or cry it possesses is also rather peculiar, being a suc- cession of loud (but not unmelodious) short notes, accom- panied by a corresponding agitation of the wings, similar to, but more rapid than, that of the Cock when it crows. The wings, however, do not strike the body. It is by no means chary of its voice either, and may be heard constantly, not only through the woods, but about the houses ; for it is nearly as fearless as the Sparrow.
The flight, again, resembles that of a Thrush, though per- haps it is neither so rapid nor so strong.
Breeding-Notes.—Well might Mr. Durnford remark that “its breeding-habits are rather irregular ;” for it begins to build in the autumn, and sometimes takes all the winter to finish its nest. The work is mostly done in the morning ; and how carefully the mud is mixed and tempered (in little balls) may be inferred from the strength of the nest. When once dry it will easily support a man’s weight; and my usual method of getting at the eggs is by cutting a hole in the side with a strong knife. The naturalist cannot but wonder at the extraordinary imstinct which teaches the bird how to break the regular round of the foundation in order to form the entrance, to make that entrance of such a nature as to be easily defended by the parent bird against small quadrupeds while it is inaccessible to an opossum or a human hand, and
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 17
finally, to unite the walls at and over the entrance by true scientific curves. Nothing but an illustration can convey an idea of the nest to those who are unacquainted with it ;* but for that purpose I may refer my readers to an example in the British Museum.
Apropos of the latter (which is from the other side, the Banda Oriental), I may note that it seemed decidedly bigger than our Buenos-Ayrean nests, and that I was struck by some- thing wrong about the situation of the entrance—namely, that it was on the left-hand side instead of the right. My impression is that in Buenos Ayres the entrance is invariably on the right hand—a supposition which now remains to be verified.
The nest is placed on the branch of a tree, roof of a house, buttress of a bridge, telegraph-post, top of a stake, or any similar situation. To show how regardless the archi- tects are of man’s presence, I may mention that it is not infrequent for a nest to be built on one of the posts of the shearing-corral, notwithstanding the attendant noise and bustle. Of course no concealment of the nest is ever at- tempted ; a satisfactory site is the only thing looked for.
Two nests I have seen which were built on the ground—a most unaccountable situation. One was within fifty yards of a wood; but as it was also only ten from aswamp, I came to the conclusion that the builders had been the two laziest Oven-birds in all the province, and had found themselves unequal to the task of carryimg the building-material to the wood.
The lining of the nest only consists of a little dry grass; and the eggs are consequently often much soiled with mud.
Mr. Hudson has drawn attention to the attacks the Oven- bird has to sustain from Progne tapera, the latter always forming its own nest in that of the former, and not being content, like Leptasthenura egithaloides, to wait till the proper occupants have done with it.
Four is the largest number of eggs laid, I think ; and these may be taken from 15th September to the end of December. A series of thirty-two specimens gives an average measure-
SER. 1V.—VOL. IV. c
18 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
aloha Nar dyedite. ght ie Me maa ; ment of 1,3, x #3. The variation in size is very great, ranging through about 6. The eggs are rather pear-shaped, and quite white in colour.
22. AMBLYRHAMPHUS HOLOSERICEUS.
This handsome bird is only abundant while the maize (of which we annually cultivate two or three acres) is ripening— March, April, and part of May. During the remainder of the year it is confined to the swamps, and is there not only local in its habits, but extremely rare. My journal for the last two years does not contain over a dozen notices of it, except during the above-mentioned months, when, indeed, such entries occur as “ May 17th. Counted flock of thirty- six in maize-patch, of which about ten were in immature plumage; also saw a pair in a swamp, accompanied by three young.”
Once, to my surprise, I saw two or three in one of the woods at the end of August, a circumstance so unusual that I took a special note of it.
The young, or those in immature plumage, I have only observed in the autumn.
To see such a flock as is mentioned above, or to watch a pair in one of our fens, gives me the keenest pleasure. In the latter case the tall dark green rushes (on the tops of which the birds are perched) contrast beautifully with the jetty black and mandarin-orange of the plumage, while the loud alarm-notes soon come to be recognized by the ornithologist when associated with a feathered creature so charming.
It is never very shy, least of all so when gathered in flocks, and may be easily approached within shot; but if only wounded, there is no bird quicker in making its escape among weeds and brushwood, winding its way through them like the Corn-Crake or Landrail.
The flight is fairly strong, though not rapid or otherwise particularly noticeable.
Besides the above-mentioned note of alarm or warning, this bird has a singularly melodious whistle, very rarely uttered, and which, indeed, I have only heard some three times. It
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 19
consists of, first, a short indistinct note, which is followed by a long clear plaintive whistle, and finishes with three or four other insignificant notes similar to the first. But it is the strength and purity of the prolonged whistle that is so admi- rable, with something human about its sweet and tender cadences. The fact is, the first time I heard it I could have continued to sit my horse for hours in that swamp and listen, cold winter’s day though it was, riding-boots full of water and all!
Those I have dissected, mostly shot at the maize, had, of course, their crops principally filled with broken or entire grains of the same ; but two or three had, in addition, a good many small beetles, entire.
Two which I had winged or wounded slightly I endea- voured to tame ; but though they took food readily enough, they were very restless, and died within three or four days.
Breeding- Notes.—Vhat A. holosericeus breeds in the swamps there can be no doubt; but its extreme rarity has put it out of my power to give much information on the subject. The only nest I ever obtained was brought to me by one of our shepherds, with the following notes :—“ Nov. 15th. Nest taken in a swamp (in the neighbourhood of which I had twice or thrice seen the birds previously) ; in size, shape, materials, und construction resembled that of our Thrush (Turdus rufi- ventris), and was built any or attached to, some reeds or rushes. Both birds seen.’
The two eggs measured naeaeanvale © 39 x 20 and 12, x In shape similar to those of the Stine! pte in oie pale blue. One had no markings at all; but the other showed a very few small spots, ight lilac and dark brown, and one dark brown streak about two lines long, but semicircular.
The above nesting-notes and eggs coincide with a descrip- tion of those of this bird given, I think, in one of Dr. Bur- meister’s books or papers.
23. PaROARIA CUCULLATA. Curiously enough, this pretty bird and sweet songster is now common in our district, while twenty-five years ago it c2
20 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
was not to be found nearer than Dolores, sixty miles to the north-west.
It remains during the whole year, and breeds with us. Quite a wood-frequenting bird, one rarely sees it either in the plains or about the swamps. It is not at all shy, and, particularly in the winter months, may be seen every day in the patio, looking for its share of food from the kitchens, im company with various other birds. One of our men was very successful in trapping them there; and even adult birds soon became tame after being caged. In Buenos Ayres it is one of the most common and prized of caged birds. Those I have seen were fed principally on thistle-seeds, millet, soaked bread, fruit, &e. &c. The leisurely sweet whistle is well known, and, as I have found, is not very difficult of imita- tion. I have kept a bird responding to me for some time before it discovered the nature of its rival. The young ac- company the parents till well on into the winter, but do not sing or acauire their full plumage till the ensuing spring, the head and crest remaining of a dull brick-red in the interval.
Breeding-Notes.—It nests from the end of October to the middle of November, retiring for that purpose to the woods.
The nest is generally placed at the end of a branch of a tala tree, about eight or ten feet from the ground. It is a large shallow construction, built of wild-vine tendrils or twigs and wood, and lined with horse-hair. Sometimes the last material greatly predominates ; and I have then seen the nest so frail that one could see through the bottom of it. The uneasy approaches of the birds frequently betray its situa- tion, should an intruder appear in the vicinity.
Three is the largest and most usual number of eggs laid. The clutches of eggs vary greatly in appearance, and still more soinsize. The commonest type measures about #4 x 75, and in colour is of a brownish ground, thickly marked with brown spots. One clutch of three, in my possession, fitly illustrates the above-noted variation. The eggs average 175 x #3, while the ground-colour, of which there is a good deal seen, has a greenish tinge ; the spots also incline to the blunt end; and in addition there is a dark ring there, more or less pronounced.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 21
24, Tanacra srriava (Bird of seven colours).
The “Pajaro de siete colores,” as the natives call it, is common enough; and yet, though it remains with us all the year, I have never obtained a nest, nor even been able to ascer- tain if it breeds in this district at all.
It is generally found in small flocks of four or five, males and females, about the woods and gardens, and in the latter locality does considerable damage among such fruits as figs and grapes. In the winter time they are always to be found in the “ Paraiso ” (or Paradise) trees in the garden, the berries of which do not ripen till then.
A bold, marauding, songless bird it is; and even its blue, orange, and yellow plumage is not very admirable, im my opinion at least.
25. LicHENOPS PERSPICILLATA.
A common bird in the swamps and “ pajanales”’ (grass- coverts). It is not unusual to see it about the homesteading, corrales, garden, and even the outskirts of a wood.
Except in the breeding-season, it is always solitary in its habits; and I have been struck with the preponderance of the black over the rufous birds. I am quite of Mr. Durnford’s opinion though, that the black are males, and the rufous females ; albeit my belief is founded, not on dissection, but on observations made at the breeding-season.
It is a most solemn, silent, ghostly-looking little sprite ; and for a while, from having been very unlucky in my attempts to secure a specimen, I had almost formed a superstitious belief that it was proof against powder and shot. By no means shy, it will stand even being fired at once or twice.
The food consists of beetles, small flies, &c. &e. On one occasion, while watching a swarm of newly-winged aunts, I was surprised by the appearance of one of these birds ; and the Flycatcher-like way in which it rose from the ground, took a turn or two in the air, and snapped up the ants was something quite new to me.
Its flight has nothing worthy of observation further than that it is never a prolonged or sustained one.
22 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
Breeding-Notes.—I have only taken some four nests, and so, as regards the duration of the nesting-season, can only cite from 19th October to 30th November.
These were all situated in swamps, built into the reeds at about a foot from the water, and invariably constructed of the dry blades of a certain kind of water-grass, the finer blades of the same forming the lining. The result 1s a compact, comfortable little nest, rather neater than what might be imagined from the above description. A fifth nest I dis- covered in a most extraordinary situation—namely, on the top of one of the roof-tree beams, inside a large open shed, and about fifteen feet from the ground. The building was within a hundred yards of a swamp; and it was nothing unusual to see a L. perspicillata mside of it; but had it not been that the nest contained eggs (about which there can never be a doubt), I should have refused to acknowledge the possibility of its belonging to this bird.
None of the above-mentioned nests contained more than two eggs; but I fancy the full clutch must be larger. They average 33x24 or 23. In colour they vary greatly, some having the ground-colour nearly white, while in others it is suffused with a warm pinkish glow. The markings consist of a few spots, streaks, and blotches of black and reddish brown, generally congregated at the blunt end.
26. Proene puRPUREA, Linn.
It would be supererogatory on my part to write at any length on this and the following species when the subject has been so ably treated by Mr. Hudson (P. Z. 8. 1872, p. 605). Conse- quently I will confine myself to observing that it is abundant with us, coming in the first week in September, and leaving about the end of March.
There were two entirely black specimens which used to appear annually at the head station; but I have not seen them for the last year or two.
Breeding-Notes.—Immediately on their arrival they begin to examine their old nesting-sites ; but the eggs do not seem to be laid till much later, and I have taken fresh ones towards the end of November.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 23
These sites are crannies in the eaves or gables of any build- ing, or various similar situations; but the nest is never so isolated from some contiguous beam or wall as to necessitate its being entirely built of mud, that material being only used to close up the open sides and leave but one entrance-hole. ‘The mud is very coarsely mixed, sometimes with a good deal of grass init. The lining consists merely of some dry grass.
One of their favourite localities is a beam underneath the eaves of our large wool-store, just at the doorway. It says much for their familiarity that the constant traffic does not deter them from building there.
The eggs are of a beautiful white, pear-shaped, and average 45x 7§. Six is the largest clutch I have taken.
27. PROGNE TAPERA.
This species is probably as abundant as the preceding ; but, as a frequenter of the woods and from the nature of its nidi- fication, it is more diffused, and consequently appears scarcer.
It is also about a month later in coming, appearing in the first week in October, though it leaves at the same time as P. purpurea, the end of March.
Breeding-Notes.—As it arrives after P. purpurea, it is pro- portionately later in breeding, while, from being parasitical on Furnarius rufus, the date of its nesting varies greatly. Eggs are most generally taken in December; but I once found a nestful of young birds (full-fledged, it is true) as late as the beginning of March.
It only breeds in the nests of the Red Oven-bird (Furnarius rufus), either taking possession after the original owners have hatched out and reared their brood, or forcibly ejecting the rightful occupants. Mr. Hudson has been more fortunate than I in witnessing the prolonged and determined warfare displayed on the latter occasions, an interesting account of which he has given in his paper. But he is mistaken in sup- posing that this peculiar habit of P. tapera is unique; for Leptasthenura egithaloides (Kittl.), as will be seen further on, is also parasitical on F. rufus, though it is content to wait for a disoccupied tenement.
24 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
I would note that P. tapera only nests, so far as I have ob- served, in the nests of the Oven-bird which are built on trees, eschewing those situated on posts or houses. It would be rather too much to have to climb up a score of thorny tala trees, and examine as many Oven-birds’ nests, on the mere chance of finding in one the eggs of the Swallow; but, for- tunately for the oologist, the latter birds resent the approach of any intruder in the neighbourhood of their domain, and by their angry screams and swift dashes generally afford him the necessary clue. Or, as sometimes happens, a stray fea- ther in the entrance intimates that the interior contains, not the despised eggs of the Oven-bird, but those of P. ¢apera or L. egithaloides—prizes both.
P. tapera lines its lodgings with a pile of feathers formed intoanest. Grass, wool, and hair are sometimes added; but the feathers are the principal material, and the amount is usually sufficient to fill up the mterior of the Oven-bird’s nest.
The eggs, so far as I know, never exceed five in number, are pure white, and average 36 x 23.
28. PITANGUS BELLICOSUS.
Called by the natives “‘ Bien-te-veo”’ (“‘ Well, I see you”’), from its cry resembling these words.
Doubtless as well known as it is common. In the woods, swamps, gardens, or about the head station it is equally at home. In the morning, just at daybreak, the noise made is absolutely deafening, each one shouting its cry and screech- ing energetically, varying the emphasis on the syllables in a rather amusing fashion. At sundown the same thing is noticeable, the chorus being as general as im the morning, and also lasting but the usual half hour. While uttering the cry the feathers on the top of the head are erected, so as to form a very handsome crest of black and yellow; and the head at the same time is frantically jerked about in a way that would dislocate the neck of any respectable bird. All day long it is on the war-path, chasing or being cbased by its own kind, or persecuting all other birds, however much
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 25
larger than itself. It is a most familiar and impertinent in- dividual, and will alight within two yards of one, cocking its big black head to one side, and remarking, very audibly, that it sees you perfectly. On the whole, too, it is considered to be a bird of rather bad character, a feathered croque- mitaine, a noisy, aggressive, obtrusive bully.
Decidedly omnivorous in its food, flesh, fish, grain, vege- ‘tables, and fruit all disappear with remarkable rapidity into that immense black beak. I have been amused at the way it manipulates a piece of meat, whacking it alternately on each side of it against the branch or rail on which it is sitting, preparatory to swallowing the morsel. It almost gives one both toothache and headache to merely look at the operation. The freshwater mollusk already mentioned as constituting the food of Rostrhamus sociabilis is also greatly affected by the Bien-te-veo ; and one frequently finds old cow-bones close to the swamps, which, by the broken shells scattered round them, indicate the use to which they have been put.
The young are not difficult to rear; but as their note is any thing but musical, and a savage dig from the beak is rather unpleasant, the incentive to do so is not at all great.
Breeding-Notes.—There is no attempt made to conceal the big nest of Pitangus bellicosus ; one might as well try to hide a hay-stack. It is built of dry grass, fibres or roots, wool, hair, and feathers (the wool, however, is the principal material) —in shape spherical, a little over a foot in diameter, and entered by a hole in the side. While the outside is very ragged and irregular, the interior is neatly felted with wool and hair. It is placed in a tree, often at no great height from the ground. Nestsin swamps, too, are not uncommon, built into the reeds, and sometimes only a foot above the water.
The nest is begun as early as the 2nd of August, though I have never taken eggs before the 21st of September. The first brood (for I believe P. bellicosus has two in the season) has flown by the middle of November ; and fresh eggs may be taken as late as the 22nd of December.
The clutch of eggs never exceeds five; but four is the more
26 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
usual number. Ground-colour pale yellow, with red blotches and spots, chiefly at the blunt end. The average measure- ment is 1,5, x #3, as taken from a large series.
29. Mitvutus Tyrannus (Scissor-bird).
This species is not uncommon with us, arriving in the beginning of November, and leaving about the middle or end of February. At Baradero, in the north of the province, it arrives in October and leaves early in April. In consequence of its tardy arrival here, I have seen young birds as late as the beginning of February, some entirely without the long tail- feathers, while in others they were but partially developed.
The flight is undulatory, lke that of a Wagtail, during which the two tail-feathers open and close like a pair of scissors. Sometimes it hovers for a moment or two with these feathers expanded, so that they resemble a section of a large oval; or it will alight upon a tree or fence in this atti- tude, and twitter like a Swallow (the only note which it pos- sesses, | think). The crest is but rarely elevated, and then shows black and yellow, similar to that of Pitangus belli- COsUS.
Milvulus tyrannus is not so belligerent as its name would lead one to expect, though it does make a show of tyrannizing over other small birds—chasing them a short distance, but never actually coming to blows.
It is imsectivorous of course; and in the rincones, where mosquitos abound, I have taken three nests within a quarter of a mile, on the isolated and stunted tala trees, which are sparsely sprinkled over that peculiar district.
Breeding-Notes.—It breeds in December and the first week of January. The nest is placed, without much attempt at concealment, on a tala tree, from eight to ten feet above the ground, measures about three inches across the interior, is rather shallow, and consists of thin stems of plants, wool, lichens, and thistle-down, pretty compactly quilted together. The lining is of fine roots and fibres, or sometimes wool alone.
The bird frequently sits close; and when disturbed the pair always remain in the vicinity of the nest.
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. a7
The eggs never exceed three in number. The average measurement is #4x 7°. They are rather smaller copies of those of P. bellicosus, beg of a pale yellow ground, with reddish spots, which, however, are more equally distributed over the egg. ‘The shell is very fragile also.
30. PyrRocEPHALUS RUBINEUS.
Mr. Durnford quotes the native name of this species as ““Chirinchi,” while here it is known as the “ Militario.”
It also is common enough, being, like the last, a summer visitor, but arriving earlier, from the 21st of September to 7th of October, according to the state of the season. The old birds leave again in the beginning of February, while the young remain till the middle of April. Compare, as formerly, with Mr. Durnford’s Baradero notes :—“ Arriving in Sep- tember and leaving in April. Old birds leave us at begin- ning of february, young remaining till middle of April.” The young, on leaving the nest, resemble the female.
With, perhaps, the exception of Paroaria cucullata, P. ru- bineus is the most beautiful bird we possess. As I have come upon a male in the woods, perched on some low stump or branch at the edge of a glade, it has seemed to burn and glow in the bright sunlight like a live coal. It catches and arrests one’s eyes instantaneously, though a hundred yards away.
The flight, as becomes one of its Flycatcher-like habits, is very rapid, but short; and it generally has some favourite perch, to which it returns after each excursion in pursuit of a fly or other insect. While uttering its “trilling song, a silvery bell-like sound,” as Mr. Hudson fitly describes it, it rises like the Lark, though not so high; and also while descending the wings remain expanded, are held high above their usual level, and have a tremulous motion imparted to them. Another note which it has, particularly when the nest is threatened, is similar to the pink, pink of the Chaffinch - on lke occasions. ‘i
It is insectivorous of course; and I have found in the crop remains of various small beetles.
28 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
Breeding-Notes.—I have taken eggs from the 19th of Oc- tober to the same date in December.
The nest is very like that of the Chaffinch, though never quite so compact or neat. It is built of lichens, which are held together with a few horsehairs, and lined with small soft feathers. There is some skill displayed in the concealment of it, though generally situated on some isolated tala tree at about ten feet from the ground, or on the outskirts of the wood.
The eggs never exceed four; but three is the more general number. They are rather pretty, having a yellowish ground, with brown and grey spots and blotches, generally forming a zone round the centre of the egg. The average measurement is 35x 26.
31. ZoNoTRIcHIA PILEATA (Sparrow).
As abundant and as impudent as its European congener, it is not, however, quite so gregarious in its habits.
I must confine myself merely to some remarks on its breed- ing-habits, as, from its being so common, I have always post- poned and neglected any other notes, and consequently have now no data to work upon. One incident only remains upon my memory—namely, the attack of animmense brown moth (Erebia odora), some seven inches across the wings, upon one of these birds. It occurred in the daytime ; so the moth may have mistaken the bird for one of its own species ; but at any rate, there it was, buffeting the Sparrow vigo- rously with its wings, while the latter kept hopping back, evidently divided between fear of such a bold and big as- sailant and contempt of the puny blows of which it was the recipient. I went for the moth with a butterfly-net at last, and ended the contest.
Breeding-Notes.—Z. pileata has two broods in the season, the first dating from 24th September, and the second from lst November to end of January.
The usual material for the nest is dry grass, with a lining of horsehair ; and it is generally placed on the ground, among the grass or under a fallen branch or thistle-leaf. Other sites
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 29
are in the eaves of outbuildings, imterior of barns, hay- stacks, &e. &e. (The nest, I should state, is an open one.) If Z. pileata chooses a nesting-site in a shed or barn, no amount of traffic or pulling down the nest, will make it give up its building-operations. I remember, one shearing-season, a pair showing such remarkable persistence. Just before the siesta we were in the habit of throwing all the half-filled bags of wool &c. into a pile, in order that there might be no time lost in covering them up should a thunder-storm arise during that hour. Well, these birds thought this was an excellent place for a nest; and every day for over a week, on taking down the pile in the afternoon, I found that they had com- pleted an entire nest, all but the lining, during the two hours of the siesta. Ultimately, however, they desisted, in evident disgust. Another site for a nest was the interior of a bullock- cart, in a fold of the canvas “toldo,” the cart not being in use at the time.
Four is the maximum clutch of eggs, the usual number being three. They vary as much in size as in colour; and in a series like mine specimens occur which, but that they were identified in person, would never have been credited to Z. pileata. The usual type has a greenish ground, thickly spotted with reddish brown ; and an average (of thirty-one specimens) gives #1 x 73 as the measurements.
32. SIsoPYGIs ICTEROPHRYS.
Rather rare, there perhaps not being more than two pairs in the woods surrounding the head station. These remain with us all the year round; but, from their rarity and shyness, my notes relating to their habits are very incomplete; so I will merely give a short description of the nest and eggs in the meantime.
Breeding-Notes.—It breeds about the end of October and beginning of November, placing its nest among some twigs or shoots on the trunk of a tala tree, five or six feet from the ground. The nest is shallow, and stragglingly built of dry wild vine-tendrils, lined with fine grass.
The eggs, which I have never found to exceed three in
30 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
number, are rather pretty, being of a warm creamy-white ground-colour, with a few bright red spots, principally at the blunt end. They average #4 x 73-
33. CHRYSOMITRIS MAGELLANICA.
Very abundant; the time when it is least so seems to be the autumn and earlier part of the winter. During the latter part of the summer, and also of the winter, it is gregarious. Its food consists of thistle- and lucern-seed &. Caged birds get the usual Canary diet, on which they seem to thrive very well. The song is generally considered sweet, and, I think, much resembles that of the tame Canary. As it is also an easily-tamed and hardy cage-bird, large numbers are trapped and sent into town, where they find a ready sale.
Breeding-Notes.—i have taken eggs from 25th September to middle or end of December, though October is the favourite month. ‘The nest is generally placed in some thick bush or tree, at no great height from the ground, and is rather neatly built of small twigs, dry grass, wool, moss, and lichens, lined either with fine grass and wool or with feathers.
The eggs never exceed four in number, while three is the more general clutch. In colour they are a clear bluish white; but a not unusual variety has small red spots on the white ground. I do not recollect ever finding a mixed clutch (that is, a nest which contained both varieties of eggs). A large series gives 27 x 18 as the average measurements.
34. LEPTASTHENURA AGITHALOIDES.
Not uncommon, remaining with us all the year, and breed- ing. It is generally to be found in pairs, but in no larger numbers.
It is rather a pretty, quaint little bird, and always reminds me of our Tits at home, incessantly moving about the trees, hanging from a twig head downwards, as it strips off all the Aphides and other small insects, with erected crest and twit- tering note. Should the nest be threatened, this note becomes louder and angrier, and the bird, at no times shy, approaches one very closely.
Breeding-Notes.—Leptasthenura egithaloides, like Progne
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 31
tapera, is parasitical on the Red Oven-bird (Furnarius rufus) ; that is to say, it takes possession of either a recently disoc- cupied or old nest of the latter, and entirely fills up the in- terior with wool, dry grass, and (principally) feathers: the last-named might be counted by thousands in some cases, I think. It is strange that two birds should be dependent on F. rufus for nests ; but this is only on a par with such ano- malies as that of Pseudoleistes virescens, which either makes a nest for itself or deposits its eggs in those of other birds, or that of a nest of Zonotrichia pileata containing thirteen eggs, of three different species, not one of which is a Sparrow’s.
L. egithaloides breeds from the middle of October to the end of November, laying three or four roundish eggs, of a warm or creamy-white colour, and averaging #7 x #4.
35. TROGLODYTES FURVUS.
Very common, and frequents both the houses and woods. It is a quiet, familiar, prying little individual, and has hardly any fear of man. One used to haunt our dwelling-house, hopping in and out of all the rooms, and inspecting the ceil- ings and corners for its insect prey. On one occasion, while I was lying on my bed reading, during the siesta time, it alighted first on the top of the bedstead, then on my brow, and from there hopped onto the book I was reading, retaining that position sufficiently long to take a good look at me before flying away again! ‘The same bird built its nest on a shelf, ‘behind some phials, in one of the other rooms, but from some caprice left it when finished.
I would beg to note, by the way, that T. furvus carries its tail straight, and not after the ridiculous fashion cf the British species.
It has rather a pretty little song, two or three notes of which it often indulges in during the night. Its more general utterance is an angry harsh chatter, like a rolling string of r’s.
Breeding-Notes.—In the woods T. furvus constructs its nest in any hole in a tree, filling up the cavity with a lot of the smallest and most thorny of tala twigs, then a framework of horsehair, and lining it with soft small feathers, often of very
732 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of
pretty colours. It is open, not domed. When the space is limited the twigs are dispensed with, and only hair and fea- thers used. One of the latter description, which [ remember taking, was just within a foot of the larger cavity in the same tree in which an opossum had taken up its abode.
About the houses the sites selected are rather curious too —in the roof of a barn or outhouse, the nozzle of a pump, mouth of a waterpipe, rose of a watering-can (which had been suspended to a tree in the garden), the sleeve of an old coat left by a workman in the killing-shed, &c. &c. A last in- stance is a nest in a small canvas bag hanging in a veranda ; the bag was only a foot square, and, from the stiffness of the material, required the mouth to be actually wedged open by the body of the bird to permit ingress and egress.
It breeds from about the 20th of October to the middle of January, eggs having been taken on the latter date. I have noticed, however, that the nest takes nearly three weeks to construct.
Like Mr. Durnford, I formerly imagined that five was the number of eggs laid, but have lately taken a clutch of seven, the only one out of some scores of nests examined. Mr. Durnford found even so many as eight in a nest ultimately. They are of a pink ground-colour, thickly spotted with a darker shade, and average 75 x 74.
36. CYANOTIS AZARAE.
Very common in all our swamps. It is so regardless of man that I have had the utmost difficulty in frightening a specimen to such a distance as would ensure its not being blown to pieces, even with a charge of No. 10 shot from a gun-stick.
Breeding-Notes.—I have taken eggs from 20th November to 8rd January, but believe it breeds earlier than the first- named date. The nest is built into two or three reeds, about eighteen inches from the surface of the water. It is rather deep, the walls very thin but astonishingly strong, being composed of the dry papery outside of a species of water- rush, gummed together with the glutinous contents of certain
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 33
raspberry -like ova (as I take them to be)*, and lined with the dry thread or fibre from the interior of the same plant. The whole structure is about four inches in length (outside mea- surement), and one and a half in diameter, the sides being barely one quarter of an inch thick, and the bottom half an inch. There is not a single straggling fragment of material about it ; itis very light and delicate ; and yet it may be tossed about any way, or even packed among empty Swan-eggs without receiving damage—the neatest nest we have, in short. It is rather difficult to find in the swamps, being so small, and placed low down, while the rider is raised just as high again in the saddle ; besides which, it harmonizes admi- rably in colour with the rushes and reeds amongst which it is situated.
The general clutch of eggs is two; at least I never took more, and have found even that number considerably incu- bated. They are of a pale cream-colour, which darkens toward the blunt end, and occasionally merges into a faint
brownish ring there. The average measurement is about
25 18 40 * 40:
o/7. CYGNUS NIGRICOLLIS. ‘‘ Cisne.’’
As there are a great many swamps and fens here, it is but natural that all the waterfowl should be represented in ex- traordinary numbers ; and accordingly even Swans are nearly as abundant with us as Ducks are in other districts. I have counted about two hundred on one small lagoon in a swamp ; and the latter is but one in a whole network of swamps and watercourses. Another great fen, bordering our land, is known as the Cafiada de Cisneros, or Swamp of the Swan- neries, an eminently suggestive name for the oologist, one which its character well bears out. About the beginning of
* This is rather a peculiar object, consisting of a number of eggs, each about the sixteenth of an inch in diameter, gummed together into a mass and attached to some rush or plant in the swamps above the water. The shells are raspberry-coloured, and brittle, like glass; the contents are a transparent colourless mucilage. They are very common. ‘The only change in their appearance is that the eggs sometimes fade in colour,
SER. IV.—VOL. IV. D
34 Mr. EK. Gibson on the Ornithology of
the century, the first Christians (so-called in contradistinc- tion to the Indians) who reached this district were Gauchos, who, in pursuit of Swans for the sake of their skins, made occasional excursions from inside the frontiers. Their weapon was the “ boleadores,” or balls, of the same nature as those used for catching cattle and horses, and which are now suffi- ciently well known in England for me to dispense with a de- scription of them. These “ Swan-balls”’ differed only in being made of wood, so that they should float on the water if the Gaucho missed his aim. The Swans were tamer and easier to approach then; and the rider took care always to come down the wind, getting within forty or fifty yards before they took the alarm. Then a desperate push, if the water was not too deep, would gain another ten yards, as the Swans are taken at the disadvantage of being compelled to rise down the wind. The balls are whirled, thrown, and, twisting round the wings and neck of the bird selected, render it quite helpless. I once myself nearly ran down a C. coscoroba, in water some three feet deep. Unfortunately I had nothing but a riding-whip; and as I swerved slightly in order to use it, the Swan doubled and went back up the wind, leaving me drenched with the water thrown up by my horse’s plunges and bounds during the chase.
Nowadays it is difficult to get within gunshot-range of C. nigricollis without regular stalking. I have stood out from the cover and fired again and again at the birds without raising them; but they always preserved an exasperatingly accurate distance of some twenty yards over the hundred, allowing the lead to patter on the water that distance short every time. The best method is to take one’s stand on some island among the swamps, about sundown, when the Swans are passing from one lagoon to another. This they generally do, either in pairs or singly, flying low, and making almost no deviation on perceiving the sportsman. Accordingly the sensation is something like firing at the side of a house; it is hardly possible to miss. we
When flying, this Swan constantly utters a whistling note, which, in conjunction with the noise of the wings, is always
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 35
sufficient to notify its approach. This whistle is its only note or call, and also serves to express warning and alarm.
Breeding-Notes.—It nests very early ; for I have taken a nest on the 24th of July, the five eggs of which were much incubated. July and September are the favourite mouths ; but eggs may be taken as late as the middle of November. The position chosen is always in one of the largest and deepest swamps, the nest being placed among the thickest rushes, at some distance from one of the lagoons, but connected with it by a lane of clear water; for the birds always leave the nest by swimming. It is built from the bottom of the swamp, sometimes through four or five feet of water, above the sur- face of which it rises a foot or a foot and a half. The dia- meter at the top is about two feet, the depression for the eggs slight, with a few feathers from the Swan scattered about it, but not sufficient to be called a lining. Dry rushes, of the common kind known as “ hunco,”’ form the building-material. It is a pretty strong, compact structure, but not sufficiently so to support a light man’s weight, as I found to my cost on springing from my horse onto the first nest I found ; for it immediately subsided, and left me waist-deep in the water, with a young horse to mount proverbially known for its quickness, and barebacked into the bargain. Never mind how I managed to regain my seat ultimately ; but I carried off the eggs in triumph.
Nothing would be easier than to expatiate on a certain day in the Cisneros swamp, such as I had two years ago, with a tame old horse under me, firm ground underneath, the water unusually clear and free from weeds, and so deep that only the seat of the saddle was above its surface. I spent three hours in the heart of this swamp, on a calm sunny day, floating noislessly along the narrow open channels among the bright green rushes—now seeing a Swan swim slowly away from its great nest, where lay the three or five large handsome eggs— again stopping to poke up the suspended nest of that curious aquatic opossum (Didelphys crassicaudata, Desmarest), and watch the truculent little villain spring out and also swim or dive away puffing viciously—then turning my horse to
v2
36 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornitholoyy of
where the head and neck of a watchful Maguari Stork (Cico-_ mia maguari), towering above the hunco, betrayed that it was standing up on its nest, while the many-coloured little Cyanotis azare crept up and down the green rushes in close proximity to me, and a hundred different sounds and cries spoke of nearly as many different species of waterfowl present, and kept me busy making mental memoranda. But the out- line of the sketch is quite sufficient, without all the fasci- nating accessories.
I have seen the female conveying the young on its back, and on one such occasion managed to press the bird so close that I captured one of the young in down. Though only a few days old, it gave me a great deal of trouble to catch it, diving always just as the horse’s nose almost touched it; and, but that the water was so clear that I could see and follow its motions and so tire it out, it would have proved too quick for me. It had no sign of the black head and neck, of course, being in down; the colour was pure white, with a black beak.
The general clutch of eggs is either three or five. I only once ever met with a nest containing six. They are of a smooth glossy cream-colour; and the average measure- ment of a large series is 333 x 272, varying from 4% x 244 to 828 x 248.
38. Cyanus coscoroBa. Native name “‘ Ganso,” or Goose.
Common, but not nearly in such large numbers as the last, though in the month of August I have seen flocks of from eleven to seventeen. As a rule it is to be found in pairs. The occurrence of flocks in the above-mentioned month seems strange; for it is generally breeding then, and, though affecting certain favourite localities, does not nest in colonies. It does not associate with C. nigricollis, though, of course, it 1s often found in the same Jagoons. Even more wary than the latter, it is also more shy, and usually takes flight when alarmed. The note is a loud trumpet-call, uttered both when flying and on the water, if its suspicions should be aroused. In the latter case the male and female answer each other alternately with
Cape San Antonio, Buenos Ayres. 37
it, swimming about uneasily the while. Of the two species, C. nigricollis and C. coscoroba, the one under note is much the handsomer. It bears itself more gracefully when swim- ming, the neck curved and the wings raised, after the true Swan model, while the brilliant carmine beak and caruncles contrast admirably with the plumage (entirely white except the black-tipped wings). Iris mottled blood-colour, pupil black.
Breeding-Notes.—My information on the subject is not so full as might be desired, from always having postponed beat- ing up the favourite nesting-locality of C. coscoroba, where the larger swamps merge into the brackish lagoons and tidal creeks of the rincones. It also breeds further inland, in similar localities to those of C. nigricollis ; and I have seen or been told of nests in such large fens as those of the Cisneros, the Mangrulla, and the Arroyo Grande, all in the neighbour- hood ; but these are the exceptional cases, I believe. In these latter the situation, materials, &c. of the nest are identical with those of C. nigricollis. The neighbourhood of the La- guna de Milan is our great locality, however; and I have known one of our shepherds there gather as many as thirty or forty fresh eggs in a day, paddling about the isolated and otherwise inaccessible islands and low grounds in an old sheep-trough. The description and situation of a nest I took on the marshy shore of the lagoon, as I passed in a boat one day, applies, this man tells me, to nearly all. It was placed about a hundred yards from the water, on marshy ground, separated from the mainland, however, by a creek not to be passed on horseback. There was no vegetation to conceal it, the birds evidently relying upon the difficulty of access for security. Built of mud and rushes, about a foot and a half high, with a considerable depression for the eggs, the latter lined with dry grass and rushes. Both birds remained close to the nest till I had landed and approached within a few yards. My informant also stated that as many as eight or nine eggs are laid, which, however, I consider doubtful. I once saw a nest with five—a clutch the remembrance of which still haunts my memory; for [ was in too great a hurry to stop and lift it at the time. i
38 Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent.
As early as July 10th I have seen a nest in course of con- struction, while the preceding nest was observed on the 28th November; but, as already stated, August is the general breeding-month. The young are said to suffer a good deal from the attacks of the Carancho (Polyborus tharus) , probably from the fact that C. coscoroba is more frequently seen on land than C. nigricollis, and accordingly the young flappers are liable to be pounced upon before they can regain the water.
The eggs are smooth, but neither so glossy nor so cream- coloured as those of C. nigricollis ; besides which they are decidedly smaller, the few specimens in my collection avera- ging 316 x 215, and of a proportionately rounder shape.
[To be continued. |
Il.—Field-Notes on the Birds of St. Vincent, West Indies. By C. HE. Listzr, B.A., Caius Coll. Camb.
As the physical geography of some of the West-Indian Islands has been considerably modified since the advent of Europeans, chiefly by the clearing away of the virgin forests in order to plant sugar-canes, and as in some instances these changes have led to the extinction of several forest-loving species, I will preface my notes on the birds of St. Vincent by a short description of its physical geography.
St. Vincent, like its neighbour St. Lucia, is of volcanic origin; a lofty ridge or backbone, commencing with the Souffriére on the north, runs due south across the whole island. This ridge has many sharp and pointed peaks, all, however, covered to their very summits with virgin forests. The Souffriére is said to be 3000 feet high; but it is probably not the highest poimt of this ridge. Nu- merous spurs descend on either side from this central chain; and on the western or leeward side they are very steep and precipitous in some places; so that the “ high woods” or virgin forests here approach the sea-coast much nearer than they do on the eastern or windward side, where,
Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent. 39
owing to the less precipitous nature of the ground, they have been cleared back to about three or four miles from the coast. The island, which is about twenty-five miles long by ten broad, is watered by numerous clear rivers, and, owing to the absence of swamps, is remarkably healthy.
I resided in St. Vincent during the months of February, March, April, July, August, September, October, and No- vember. During my stay I collected eighty-five skins, which are now in the Cambridge Museum. Professor Newton and Mr. Salvin have kindly supplied me with the names of the species contained in the collection*.
1. Turpus nierrrostris, Lawr. l. c. p. 187.
The commonest of the three species of this family that I obtained. Found chiefly in the high woods, but descends to the clearings when the fig-trees bear fruit.
2. CrncLocerTHiA RUFICAUDA (Gould) ; Lawr. l. c. p. 187+. Not uncommon in the high woods. I never saw one on cleared land.
3. Marcarors montanus (Vieill.) ; Lawr. J. c. p. 187. Does not show itself so much as the preceding species, but may be common. Never met with it out of the high woods.
4, MyYIADESTES SIBILANS, Lawr. l. c. p. 188.
Local name ‘‘ Souffriére-bird.”
I met with this interesting bird on the Souffriere, and in every part of the high woods that I explored. Its song, which causes even those who care little for bird-music to pause and listen, appears to be similar to that of a closely allied species so well described by Mr. Gosse in his account of the birds of Jamaica. During the month of August I
* [We have added to the names given by Mr. Lister references to Mr. Lawrence’s paper on the birds of St. Vincent, lately published in the ‘ Proceedings of the United-States National Museum,’ 1878, p. 185, and a few other notes where necessary. It will be observed that Mr. Lister has added three species to the list of St.-Vincent birds—namely Cypse- loides niger, Fulica americana, and Tringoides macularius.— EDD. |
+ [See below, p. 72.—Epp. |
40 Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent.
noticed that the birds did not sing their full song, but after giving a few notes would stop and give utterance to a harsh note which reminded me of the discordant one which occurs in the song of the Greenfinch (Ligurinus chloris) .
5, CATHAROPEZA BISHOPI™.
Leucopeza bishopi, Lawr. l.c. p. 189.
This little bird is entirely confined to the high woods. In the stomach of one I found a small newt. This species may often be observed searching about amongst the stones and decayed logs that strew the course of the mountain- streams. The iris is hazel.
6. TuryorHorus Musicus, Lawr. /. c. p. 189.
I met with this lively little bird in every part of the island that I visited. Its song is sweet; and some of its notes re- semble the rich notes of the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). It is a bold, familiar bird, and frequently builds its nest im the verandas of the houses.
7. CerTHioua atrata, Lawy. /. c. p. 190.
Local name “ Sugar-bird.”’
Found all over the island. These birds often fall into the sugar-coppers. Nest domed, with entrance at side.
8. VIREOSYLVIA CALIDRIS, var. DoMINICANA, Lawr. J. c. p. 189.
Not found in the high woods, but elsewhere pretty com- mon.
9. ProGne pomrinicensis (Gm.); Lawr. J. c. p. 190.
This bird I have observed all along the Windward coast. It is said to breed in the cliffs. I once saw one of these birds hawking over a pasture after the manner of our Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus, Linn.).
10. Loxteruia Noctis (Linn.) ; Lawr. /.c. p. 191. Local name, ‘‘ Sparrow.” Found all over the island. Frequents the arrowroot-drying-
* This bird cannot be referred to the same genus as Leucopeza semper, of St. Lucia, but belongs to a distinct form of Mniotiltide, which Sclater proposes to call Catharopeza. See below, p, 73.
Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent. 41
houses in company with Phonipara bicolor for the purpose of feeding on the arrowroot.
11. Puonreara Bicotor (Linn.) ; Lawr. /.c. p. 191. Local name, ‘‘ Grass-bird.”’ Found everywhere, except in the high woods.
12. Tyrannus RostraAtus, Sclater; Lawr. /.c. p. 191.
Local name, “‘ Loggerhead Piperee.”
Not found in the high woods, but elsewhere pretty com- mon. In the stomach of one I found the seed of a palm; their food, however, usually consists of insects.
13. Myrarcuus opert, Lawy. /. c. p. 191.
Local name, Piperee.”’
The distribution of this bird is similar to that of Tyrannus rostratus; but it is perhaps not met with in such great num- bers.
14. Enarnea Martinica (Linn.) ; Lawr. /.c. p. 191.
Local name, “ Corn-bird.”
Distribution similar to that of the other species of this family. Though this bird is termed “The Corn-bird,” I never could detect it feeding on grain.
15. Coccyzus minor (Gm.); Lawr. J. c. p. 193.
Local name, “‘ Cuckoo Manioc.”
I have often heard the note of this bird when entering the high woods (and on,one occasion shot one to make sure that it was the same species found in the cleared districts), but have never seen or heard it in the interior. Its food consists largely of the different kinds of Mantis.
16. CroropHaca ant, Linn.; Lawr. /.c. p. 193.
Local names, “ Chapman’s bird,” or “ Old Witch.”
Found throughout the cleared lands, chiefly haunting pas- tures, never in the high woods. Said to have been intro- duced by a Mr. Chapman some thirty years ago.
17. CyPpsELOIDES NIGER (Gm.).
Local name, ‘‘ Day-bat.”
May be seen flying over the pastures in great numbers after rain.
42 Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent.
18. Cuarura pomINicaNA, Lawr.; Ann. N.Y. Ac. Sc. 1. p. 255.
This is perhaps the commonest of two species of Swifts, and is found all over the island.
19. Evuampts sueutaris (Linn.) ; Lawr. /.c. p. 192.
Local name, ‘‘ Doctor bird.”
Confined chiefly to the high woods, though when certain trees are in flower, a few may be found on cleared land; it never, however, frequents the sea-cliffs.
20. Eutampis Hotosrriceus (Linn.) ; Lawr. J. c. p. 192.
Local name, ‘‘ Doctor bird.”
Found everywhere in the island, except in the high woods, but not in great numbers. I once observed one of these birds hunting for insects after the manner of the Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola, Linn.).
21. OrrHorHyNcHus orNatus, Gould; Lawy. /. c.p. 192.
Local name, ‘‘ Doctor bird.”
Found throughout the island. By far the commonest of the family. Though unable to find the nest of the two pre- ceding species, I could always procure the beautiful little structure formed by this tiny bird. I found nests of this species in March, April, and September.
22. Curysoris GuILpING!I (Vig.); Lawr. l.c. p. 193.
An inhabitant of the high woods. It appears to breed during the months of April and May, though no one has yet been able to procure the young. ‘The individuals that are occasionally sent to Europe are birds that have been winged. During the latter part of August and the beginning of September I shot several examples that were moulting.
23. CoLumBA corENsIs (Gm.); Lawr. /.c. p. 196.
Local name, ‘ Ramier.”’
This bird is almost entirely confined to the high woods, though in the month of September when certain berries are ripe they may be found in the clearings adjoining the woods.
They are strictly arboreal, never descending to the ground.
Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent. 43
24. GrorryGon montana (Linn.) ; Lawr. J. c. p. 196.
Local name “ Padre.”
This species is confined to the high woods. It feeds on the seeds &c. which fall from the trees. It is terrestrial in its habits, only perching occasionally on low shrubs, never
on the lofty ones. It frequently places its nest in a tree fern.
25. ZHNAIDA MARTINICANA, Bp.; Lawy. /. c. p. 196.
Local name, ‘ Bequia Dove.”
A few of these birds appear to come over from the islands of Bequia, Balliceaux, &c. in the month of March, but re- main a very short time. They feed, when in St. Vincent, on the pigeon-peas.
26. CHAMPELIA PASSERINA (Linn.); Lawy. /.c. p. 196.
Local name, “‘ Ground-Dove.”
Found chiefly near the sea-coast, never in the high woods. The negro boys catch great numbers in traps.
27. URUBITINGA ANTHRACINA (Nitzsch); Lawr. /. c. p. 194*,
Local name, ‘‘ Black Hawk.”
This fine bird is met with chiefly in the high woods, but occasionally pays a visit to some quiet stream in the culti- vated districts. Its food appears to be crayfish and fresh- water crabs. I procured two specimens, viz. an adult female and a young male. It may be observed soaring at a great height, sometimes in company with two or three Chicken- Hawks (Buteo pennsylvannicus).
28. Burro pENNSYLVANNicUS (Wils.); Lawr. J. c. p. 194. Local name, ‘‘ Chicken- Hawk.”
This species is found all over the island, and is very com- mon. It often builds its nest in a bread-fruit tree, and is
* [In 1874, the Zoological Society obtained from Dominica a young ex- ample of this species, which died in 1878 after putting on its adult plu- mage. See ‘ List of Animals in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of
London’ (1879), p. 314. The specimen is now in the Norwich Museum, —P.L.8.}
Ad Mr. C. E. Lister on the Birds of St. Vincent.
very bold in defence of its young. Though the name by which this bird is known throughout the island led me to suppose that it was an enemy to chickens, I never observed it molesting the poultry. In the stomachs of all the speci- mens J examined I found the remains of lizards and snakes. Unlike the Black Hawk, it is very tame and permits a near approach.
29. STRIX FLAMMEA, Linn.
Strix flammea, var. nigrescens, Lawyr. J. c. 194.
Local name, “ Gumby bird.”
This, the only Owl in the island, is found everywhere, except perhaps in the high woods.. It often takes up its abode in the boiling-houses. In the stomach of one that I shot I found the remains of a lizard. Several persons in- formed me that the bird devoured the berries of the Galba tree; and I was shown a heap of these berries which were supposed to have been partially eaten by an Owl. ‘The negroes have a superstitious fear of this bird.
30. BuroripEs virescens (Linn.) ; Lawyr. /. c. p. 196.
Local name, “ Gaulin.”
Found near all rivers and streams, but very rarely met with in the high woods.
31. Funica AMERICANA, Gm.*
I think this bird is only an accidental visitor to the island.
An individual of this species was captured alive in an ex- hausted condition after a severe gale in Brabon Bay by a Mr. Nevison, who kindly sent it to me.
32. TRINGOIDES MACULARIUS (Linn.)t.
Local name, “ Yellow-legs.”
Found chiefly along the sea-shore. A few solitary indi- viduals are occasionally seen near rivers in the high woods.
* [This species is not given by Mr. Lawrence, but is one likely to occur in the West Indies.—Epp. |
+ [Also not contained in Mr. Lawrence’s list, but a widely distributed species.—Epp. }
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 45
I11.—Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan.—No. Il. On the Birds of the Hariab District. By RK. G. Warpiaw Ramsay, F.Z.S., Memb. B.O.U., Lieut. 67th Regiment.
Aw unexpected return to England has defeated the plan I had in view of periodically transmitting my notes and remarks on the ornithology of Afghanistan to the pages of ‘ The Ibis.’
I venture now, however, to present to its readers a list of the birds observed and obtained during my sojourn in that country.
The situation of the particular portion of Afghan territory to which my researches were restricted has already been briefly described (vide Ibis, 1879, pp. 444, 445).
The marches through the Kurrum valley to our desti- nation were of too hurried a nature to admit of much atten- tion being devoted to its ornithology ; so I have, in general, refrained from referring to birds there observed, as speci- mens were not collected, and consequently identifications would, in many cases, be mere conjectures and therefore of little or no value.
The climate of the valley where our troops, under Major- General Sir F. Roberts, were encamped during the spring and summer of 1879 is very pleasant during the summer months, the heat at no time being very great. During the winter, however, the cold is intense, as is testified by our troops who took part in the early stage of the campaign. Until the end of April we had continual falls of snow, and the weather was bitterly cold. It is therefore not surprising that the number of species found in the valley in that month should be very small, and almost entirely composed of non- migratory birds, such as the Paride and the Emberizine, the Himalayan Creeper, and the Sittine. The country being almost entirely covered with pine-forests, except where cleared for cultivation, is an additional reason for the poverty of species in the valley.
On reference to the Survey map of the country, it will be seen that the Kurrum valley proper is divided from that
46 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
of Hariab by a long spur thrown out from Sita Ram, or Speen-gurh, as it is called by the Afghans, the highest point of the Safed-Koh range. This spur, over which runs the Peiwar Kotul, at first takes a southerly direction, but even- tually turns away to the west, and appears to lose itself near the junction of the Kurrum and Hariab rivers, but not before it again approaches another spur of the Safed-Koh, which also turns to the southward, the general direction of the main range being nearly east and west.
It will thus be seen that the small part of the country known as the Hariab valley is enclosed in a kind of basin in the hills at an average elevation of from 7000 to 8000 feet above the sea-level. The Peiwar spur presents a consider- able barrier to the advance of many species of birds; that is to say, many birds, such as Muscipeta paradisi, Oriolus kundoo, Acridotheres tristis, Corvus corax, Corvus splen- dens, Ceryle rudis, Ortygornis ponticeriana, &c., which occur up to the very foot of the Peiwar spur on the east, are, as far as my experience goes, unknown in the Hariab valley, which is approximately about 1500 to 2000 feet higher.
Another instance may be quoted in the King Crow (Bu- changa atra), which is very abundant near the head of the Kurrum valley, but which is of rare occurrence in the higher valley. There is no doubt, therefore, that the climate of Hariab, albeit its elevation is not very much above that of the Kurrum valley, keeps out a considerable number of spe- cies, and consequently impoverishes the list of its birds.
The total number of species observed between the 12th April and the 10th July was seventy-three, not including the species obtained or observed at Shalofzan (in the Kurrum valley) only, which amount to thirteen more, and those of whose occurrence I only know by report, viz. Lophophorus impeyanus and Rhynchea capensis, making a grand total of eighty eight.
In this paper I have followed the numbering of Jerdon’s ‘Birds of India,’ according to the revised list published by Mr. A. O. Hume (‘Stray Feathers,’ vi. pp. 73-122).
I hope, in course of time, to augment the present list, as
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 47
I have made arrangements for collections to be made for me if circumstances shall permit.
(7) GypaeEtus BARBATUS (Linn.).
The Limmergeyer is very abundant, and, indeed, is the only Vulture which occurs in the Hariab district. Neophron ginginianus occurs in the Kurrum valley.
(8) Fatco prrEGRINvS, 'Tunst. I once saw a Falcon which appeared to belong to this species.
(17) Fatco tinnuncutus, Linn. Common. Breeding in May.
(24) Accrprrer nisus (Linn.). Once observed.
(56) Mitvus covinpa, Sykes.
I refer the Afghan Kite provisionally to this species, not having obtained a specimen. It was next to useless to col- lect large birds, owing to the difficulty of getting even the smallest packages transported.
(45) Bureo rerox.
Accipiter ferox, S. G. Gmelin, Nov. Comm. Acad. Petrop. xv. p. 442, pl. x. (1770).
Buteo ferox, Sharpe, Cat. Birds, vol. i. p. 176, pl. vin.
Buteo nigricans, Severtzoff (vide Ibis, 1875, p. 103).
The only specimen I obtained was a nestling, still partly in down, brought to me by an Afghan in July at Byan Khey]l, in the Hariab valley.
Numerous different opinions having been urged as to the plumage of this Buzzard in the young and adult plumages respectively (conf. Sharpe, Joc. cit.; Gurney, Ibis, 1876, p. 367 ; and Dresser, B. of E. pt. 38), I will subjoin a brief description of the specimen in question. It is in the mela- nistic plumage which occurs in specimens from the north- west, and which has been described by Severtzofft from Tur- kestan as B. nigricans (loc. cit.). Throughout of a blackish brown, deepest on the head, quill-feathers, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts ; the feathers on the crown with a black
48 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
streak down their centres. The tail-feathers are pale-shafted, and of the same dark brown colour above, but with four or five pale transverse bars on each of the feathers, which are also tipped pale and are pale grey beneath. Cere and legs yellow. Wing about 12 inches, tarsus 3.
A pair of these Buzzards had a nest on a ledge of a steep cliff near our camp. I failed to obtain the parent birds, but believe that the specimen above described belonged tothis nest.
I am indebted to Mr. J. H. Gurney for identifying the
specimen.
(66) Syrnrum nivicota, Hodgs. Once or twice flushed, but no specimen obtained.
(82) Hirunpo rustica, Linn. Observed in the Kurrum valley only.
(84) Hirunpo ritirera, Steph.
he Wire-tailed Swallow probably occurs in the Hariab district, although I cannot recollect having seen it. I found both these last species in the Kurrum valley.
HIRUNDO RUFULA.
Hirundo rufula, Temm. Man. d’Orn. ii. p. 298.
The Afghan bird belongs to the western form. It agrees with specimens collected on Mount Tabor by Dr. Tristram, and in Greece (Howard Saunders).
All my specimens from Murree are referable to the closely allied H. erythropygia, Sykes. Mr. Dresser, in differentiating the latter species from H. rufula (B. of E. pt. 37), says, “the black on the crown joins that on the back, the red collar not extending round the neck.” This statement would be cor- rect in the case of the still more eastern form, H. striolata, Temm., from Flores, Formosa, China, and Karen-nee ; but in a very large series of the Indian bird from different loca- lities, in no instance (in which the neck-feathers are in good order) is the collar imperfect.
(91) Corie ruPEsTRIS (Scop.). Hirundo rupestris, Scopoli, Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 167, no. 253 (1769).
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. ~ 49
The Crag-Martin was abundant in the valley in June, and apparently nesting in the cliffs near our camp. The only - specimen preserved is very markedly paler in every way than a specimen from Jericho, but agrees with it in measure- ments. It is in colour more like C. fuligula, Hartlaub, from South Africa. It is not Cotile obsoleta, Cabanis.
(99) CyPsELUS APUS.
Cypselus apus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 344 (1766).
Cypselus pekinensis, Swinhoe, P. 4.8. 1870, p. 435.
The Common Swift was very abundant in our part of Afghanistan, more especially about the summits of the mountains. On Matungi (12,600 feet), an offshoot of the Safed-Koh, I found them in great numbers, darting and shrieking round the rocks at the summit.
(120) Merors rersicvs, Pallas.
I never obtained this Bee-eater, but observed large parties im process of migration at the end of April and beginning of May (vide Ibis, 1879, p. 446).
(121) Merrops aPIAsTER.
Merops apiaster, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 182 (1766).
I first observed the European Bee-eater on the 5th June, after which it became quite common in the Hariab valley. On the 22nd of the same month I found it very common between Kurrum fort and the Peiwar Kotul, where neither trees nor shrubs are to be seen for miles. The birds were sitting on the ground and darting up at imsects occasionally. In Dresser’s ‘ Birds of Europe,’ pt. lxiv., a note by Mr. W. Blanford shows that he has observed the same thing in Belu- chistan. Up to the 10th July, when I left the Kurrum valley, these birds were not breeding ; nor, indeed, did I see any place at all suitable for the purpose.
Surgeon-Major Aitchison, of the Indian Medical Depart- ment, the botanist to the Kurrum Expedition, informed me that in a village near the base of the Safed-Koh the villagers said that sometimes in the month of June, when the Bee- eaters arrive, they come down in great numbers to rob the bees from the hives, and that the people had to keep con-
SER. IV.—VOL. IV. E
50 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
tinually on the watch to drive them off. The natives also say that the Bee-eaters do not remain long ; so that it is pos- sible that they may go elsewhere to breed.
(123) Coractas indicus (Linn.).
I did not obtain specimens, but am nearly certain that the bird in the Hariab district is referable to this species, and not to C. garrulus. It was not common,
(186) Curve rupis (Linn.).
I have never seen a Kingfisher of any sort in any part of the Hariab valley, although streams are numerous and fish abound. ‘This species, however, is common on the Kurrum river.
(154) Picus HIMALAYENSIS.
Picus himalayensis, J. & 8. Il. Orn. pl. 116.
Afghan examples agree with Himalayan. This is the only Woodpecker that I found in the Hariab district, where it was very abundant and breeding. The young birds had flown by the beginning of June.
(199) CucuLus canorus, Linn.
The European Cuckoo was exceedingly abundant in the Hariab valley, arriving about the beginning of May. I did not hear it myself before the 15th of that month.
(243) CERTHIA HIMALAYANA.
Certhia himalayana, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1881, p. 174.
The Barred-tailed Tree-creeper of the Safed-Koh appears to agree best with the above species; but its coloration is generally more grey and less rufous, and the tips of some of the primaries are white and not rufous. These distinctions, Mr. Dresser has, I think, satisfactorily shown (B. of E. pt. xxx.), will not hold good. Mr. Brooks (J. A. 8. B. 1872, p. 74) de- seribes his Certhia hodgsont as differing from C. familiaris, Linn., in much the same details as my Afghan bird differs from C. himalayana, Vigors.
The Tree-creeper was common enough on the Peiwar range and on the adjoiing slopes of the Safed-Koh, where it was evidently breeding in June.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 51
(248 bis) Srrva CASHMIRIENSIS.
Sitta cashmiriensis, Brooks, P. A. 8. B. 1871, p. 209; J. A. S. B. 1872, p. 75.
Sitta cinnamomeiventris of my first paper (Ibis, 1879, p. 447).
It is not without some doubts that I refer the Hariab Nut- hatch to the above species. It agrees fairly well with the brief description given by Mr. Brooks (/oc. cit.) ; but I have specimens from Murrce (Biddulph) which agree still better with his description, and which, in turn, do not agree so well with my Afghan bird.
The description of my bird runs as follows:—“ Upper surface bluish slate-colour, including the two centre tail-feathers, which have no white upon them. Breast bright rufescent, shading into deep chestnut-red on the belly and lower tail- coverts, which are without white edgings, and into white or whitish rufescent on the throat, cheeks, and ear-coverts. A black line, 1°75 inch long, runs from the base of the maxilla over the eye onto the upper back. Quills brown, faintly margined with bluish slate on the outer web, and becoming white on the inner web towards the base. Rectrices brown, the two outer ones having a broad white bar on the inner web and another higher up on the outer, the next two plain, but tipped with greyish white. The bill is very slender and slightly recurved. Bill from gape -95 inches, tarsus ‘7, wing 3°35, tail 2. Bill dark slate-colour ; gonys albescent.”
This Nuthatch is the common one of the southern slopes of the Safed-Koh, and was breeding in the Hariab district in May. By the middle of June all the young had flown.
(249) Sivra LEUcoPsIs.
Sitta leucopsis, Gould, P. Z. 8. 1849, p. 113.
The White-cheeked Nuthatch is rather common on the Peiwar spur of the Safed-Koh. I observed it hanging about a nest-hole on the 21st May, but on returning to take the eges some days later was unable to fmd the tree. I have not observed this Nuthatch below an elevation of 7000 feet, which is about the lowest limit of pme-growth in these parts. On
ER
52 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
the 21st June I shot a young bird just fledged near the Peiwar Kotul. The iris of this species is brown; maxilla black, as also the margin and poimt of the mandible, the remainder of which is whitish horny; legs brownish green.
(254) Upupa Epors, Linn. The Hoopoe was not very common. It was breeding in June.
(257). Lanius prytHRONOTUs (Vigors).
Very common. I found a great many nests in May and June. The first (27th May) was situated in the centre of a dense thorny creeper, and contained six eggs, white, faimtly washed with pale green, and spotted and blotched with pur- plish stone-colour and pale brown. The nest was composed of green grass, moss, cotton-wool, thistle-down, rags, cow’s hair, mule’s hair, shreds of juniper bark, &c. &c. Other nests were found in willows by the river-bank and in apricot- trees. In a large orchard at Shalofzan, in the Kurrum val- ley, I found three nests within a few yards of one another.
(260) Lanrus virrarus (Valenc.). Once or twice observed.
(273) Prricrocorus BREVIROSTRIS, Vigors. Common.
(278) BUCHANGA ATRA.
Muscicapa atra, Hermann, Obs. Zool. p. 208.
Buchanga longicaudata, A. Hay (laps. cal. albicaudata) apud Wardl.-Rams., Ibis, 1879, p. 447.
This King-Crow is extremely common to the very base of the Peiwar Kotul, but is apparently very scarce in the higher valley of Hariab. It was especially abundant in the orchards at Shalofzan, in the Kurrum valley, in June, where it was apparently breeding ; but I did not find the nest.
(288) Muscreeta PARADISI.
Muscicapa paradisi, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 107.
The Indian Paradise Flycatcher is not found, as far as I know, in the Hariab valley; but among the orchards at Shalofzan, in the Kurrum valley, it is especially abundant.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 53
I found it there in June, evidently breeding. A male in the red-and-white dress had the testes much developed.
This is another of the many instances observed of birds being stopped by so small a barrier as the Peiwar range. It is not as if suitable places were wanting in the Hariab valley ; for well-watered orchards are of frequent occurrence there.
(296) HeMIcHELIDON SIBIRICA.
Muscicapa sibirica, Gmel. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 935.
Hemichelidon fuliginosus, Hodgs. ; Jerdon, B. Ind. 1. p. 458.
Breeding in May and June. I have found this bird up to the limit of the pine-growth on the Safed-Koh.
(299 bis) Buravis GRISOLA.
Muscicapa grisola, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 828 (1766).
Arrived in the Hariab valley about the middle of May, after which time it became very abundant, frequenting the valleys among tlie pine-forests, and also the apricot-orchards, which abound near all streams in this part of Afghanistan.
I found the nest on the 3rd June, high up on a hill-side, at about 8000 feet. It was situated in the lowest fork of an edible pine (Pinus gerardiana), about six feet from the ground. The nest was composed of shreds of the bark of the juniper-tree, without any lining, except a few feathers, and contained four eggs, quite fresh, pale green, profusely freckled with light brown, especially towards the thick end. The position of this nest was rather unusual; but another I found was 1n a crevice of a ragged juniper stump.
(307) CyoRNIS RUFICAUDA.
Muscicapa ruficauda, Swains. Nat. Libr. x. (Flycatchers) p- 201.
The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is one of the commonest birds in the Hariab valley, extending far up (I have shot it at nearly 11,000 feet) on the Safed-Koh. It is about the last bird that is found in any abundance where the pine- growth ceases. Common, and breeding, as it was in May, June, and July, I never had the luck to find its nest.
54, Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
Tris reddish brown ; bill pale horny brown, margined with yellow, interior yellow ; legs slaty brown. Sexes alike.
(310) MuscicaruLa SUPERCILIARIS.
Muscicapa superciliaris, Jerdon, Madr. Journ. xi. p. 16.
T came across one pair on the Peiwar Kotul at about 8000 feet, of which the male only was obtained. This specimen agrees with examples from Kotgurh, Murree, Simla, and the Sutlej valley in the Tweeddale collection.
(351) PrrrocossyeHus cyanus (Linn.). A few pairs remained throughout the summer, and doubt- less were breeding ; but I did not find the nest.
(853) OREG@CETES CINCHLORHYNCHUS.
Petrocincla cinclorhynchus, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1830, p. 172.
Arrived in the valley about the beginning of May, after which time it was abundant, and generally to be found near small rocky mountain-streams in the pine-forests. It was, I think, breeding in June.
(368) Turpus visctvorus, Linn.
Turdus hodgsont, v. Homeyer, Rhea, 11. p. 150.
On the 22nd May I found a nest containing four young birds nearly fledged. The nest was situated in a small deodar, about four feet from the ground, and seemed in every respect like that of a Blackbird in England. I returned a few days after to the spot, but found the nest gone; it had been taken by a soldier, in whose possession I found it afterwards. He kept the young birds for about a fortnight, when they died. I, however, was able to determine the species for certain. The cry of the Missel-Thrush was only heard on one other occasion; so I fancy it is rare.
(470) OrtoLus Kkunpoo, Sykes.
Orioles were extremely rare in the Hariab valley at (least such was my experience), notwithstanding that they are so abundant on the other side of the Peiwar Kotul in the orchards of the Kurrum valley. At Shalofzan, in the Kurrum valley, in June, [ found them in great numbers : some were breeding ; but as I saw quite young birds, it is probable that the nest- ing-season was nearly over.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 55
(483) PRatTINCOLA MAURA.
Motacilla maura, Pall., Reise Russ. Reichs. ii. Anh., p. 708.
Pratincola maura (Pallas), Sharpe, Cat. Birds, iv. p. 188.
Pratincola indica, Blyth ; Wardl.-Rams. Ibis, 1879, p. 446.
This Stonechat is certainly about the commonest of all birds in this part of Afghanistan. As other people have before remarked, these birds vary much in the same locality; and so do their eggs. Some females have the throat, belly, vent, and upper tail-coverts nearly white, whilst others have the throat and belly tinged with brown, and the breast and upper tail-coverts with ferruginous. Whether it is a constant fact or not, am unable to say ; but it is worth remarking that, in several cases in which I shot the female at the nest, the bird with the ferrnginous upper tail-coverts and breast had pale blue eggs, only minutely freckled with nearly obsolete pale reddish-brown spots, and the other above-mentioned variety had its eggs densely marked with freckles of reddish brown, especially at the thicker end. The nests were always placed on the ground, and generally on the steep slopes of the hill-sides.
(490) SaxicoLa MoRIO.
Saxicola morio, hr. Symb. Phys. “ Egypt and Arabia.”
All the specimens collected in Afghanistan are, I think, referable to this species, having the inner webs of the pri- maries of the same colour as the outer, and not white as in S. leucomela, Pall.
Taking the white inner webs of the primaries as the dis- tinction, I find that in a large series in the Tweeddale col- lection one specimen only can be attributed to Saxicola leu- comela, Pall., which was collected on the shores of the Dead Sea by Dr. Tristram, and that all the rest, without exception, chiefly from Central Asia, Lahore, and Umballah, are S. morio. In addition to the russet under tail-coverts of S. leu- comela, I may point out that it may be also distinguished by the shafts of the primaries being white at the base, showing
* Since the above was in print I have examined the series of S. lewcomela and S. morio in the collections of Messrs. Seebohm and Dresser, and find
that this character is not constant, as many examples of S. morio have the shafts at the base of the primaries white.
56 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
a white spot on the outside of the wing, just at the tips of the wing-coverts.
The colouring of the head in S. morio and S. leucomela cannot be taken as a guide. I have specimens of Saxicola morio, shot in April and May (when they commenced to breed in the Hariab valley), with the head almost brown, white washed with brown, and pure white. The plumage of the body varies with that of the head ; for the bird with the white head has the upper surface and throat rich black, and, again, those with the heads brown or brownish have the back in a corresponding degree brown or black mottled with brown. These latter birds were adult, although they had not assumed. the full black-and-white plumage; for they were breeding in May and June.
Two females shot on the 9th May I feel sure belong to this species, inasmuch as they were in company with males of S. morio.
The only one which I was able to preserve was of a uniform clear earthy brown on the head, wings, and back, the rump and upper tail-coverts being white as in the male. The tail is also as in the male, except that the black is replaced by brown. Beneath the throat black as in the male, but each feather margined with pale russet, giving it a mottled appearance. The breast and lower parts are buffy white, the former having a decided tinge of russet, somewhat in the form of a pectoral band.
The head, which only is visible, of the female in Mr. Gould’s plate of Dromolea picata (B. of Asia, pt. xvii.) is evidently taken from a female S. morio.
I may mention that day after day, whilst out road-making, I have watched pairs of these birds, and invariably there was one black and one brown bird.
The nest is very difficult to find; and I have sat sometimes for half an hour or more, hoping that the birds would give some indication of its whereabouts. ‘The only nest secured contained but one egg, of a pale unspotted blue, otherwise like a large Stonechat’s (Praiincola maura) egg. The nest was placed under a collection of small rocks piled up by the
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. OM
torrent in the then dried-up bed of a mountain-stream. A considerable number of huge stones had to be removed before the nest could be got at. Near Attock, in the Punjab, on the march up, I obtained S. morio (?), S. opistholeuca, Strick- land, S. deserti, Riipp.; and in the Khyber Pass I saw S. picata, evidently breeding, at the end of March.
(497) RuvicILLa RUFIVENTRIS.
(Enanthe rufiventris, Vieill. Nouv. Dict. xxi. p. 431.
At 12,500 feet on the Safed Koh, on the Ist of July, I observed a pair of Redstarts hanging about an old tree-stump ; I shot the male, and on searching the stump found the nest in a crevice; but, unfortunately, it contained no eggs. The nest had the appearance of having been used; so that it is possible that the young had flown.
The specimen shot is what I take to be a full-plumaged Ruticilla rufiventris. The crown of the head and the nape are of a dark ashy grey, the feathers on these parts pre- senting a strangely worn appearance, the shafts being quite denuded of web near the tips; the forehead, sides of head, throat, back, and upper part of breast being jet-black ; the rump, upper and lower tail-coverts, tail, and remainder of lower surface being rufous-chestnut. The wing measured 3-2 inches. |
This specimen does not differ from other Indian examples shot towards the end of the year, except in the intensity of the black and the slate-colour of the head being rather brighter.
It corresponds with the plate of R. erythroprocta, Gould (B. of Asia, pt. vill.), excepting that the black on the lower surface does not descend beyond the upper part of the breast.
Referring to the latter species, Mr. Hume remarks (Lahore to Yarkand, p. 209) that the amount of black varies in indi- viduals and is of no specific value. That the extent of black varies much is amply shown by the series of R. rufiventris before me ; but I do not possess a specimen in which the black descends so far as the abdomen, as is depicted in Mr. Gould’s drawing of &. eryihroprocta.
58 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
I never saw a true Redstart on the Safed Koh or in the Hariab valley but on this one occasion.
(504) ADELURA CERULEOCEPHALA.
Phenicura ceruleocephala, Vigors, P. Z.S. 1830, p. 35.
Ruticilla lugens, Severtzoff, Stray Feathers, mi. p. 428 (autumn plumage).
This bird was tolerably common in the valley when we arrived in April. It breeds in May and June. On the 22nd of May I found a nest in a crevice in the face of a precipitous cliff in a deep mountain-gorge. It was composed of small twigs and dried grass, thickly lined with camel’s hair. I shot the female as she left the nest, which contained five fresh eggs of a dull cream-colour, with a broad zone of the same colour, but darker, near the thicker end.
It is somewhat strange that Bonaparte, who in all proba- bility never saw this bird alive, should have fallen into the error of classing it among the Flycatchers, to which, I should say, it has no structural affinity, albeit its habits are far more like those of a Flycatcher than of a Redstart.
A young bird, apparently about a month old, which I shot on the Peiwar range on the 21st of June is throughout of a pale greyish brown tinged with rufous, and each feather margined black ; the primaries dark brown; a broad edging of white on the outer web of the secondaries, which become sullied with rufous towards their tips; tail dark brown.
(514) CYANECULA SUECICA.
Motacilla suecica, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 336.
The Bluethroats were so common in April and the com- mencement of May that I thought they were going to breed in the valley ; but they had all disappeared by the 14th May.
(515) AcRocEPHALUS BRUNNESCENS.
Acrobates brunnescens, Jerdon, Madr. Journ. x. p. 269.
One specimen only, shot on the 2lst May, probably passing through. I never saw the species again.
Iris pale yellowish brown ; maxilla dark brown, mandible albescent ; legs slaty brown.
Length 7:5 inches.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 59
(516) AcRrocEPpHaLus puMEToRUM, Blyth.
One specimen obtained out of a pair observed on the 13th May—probably migrating ; for I never met with the species again.
Tris pale yellowish brown; maxilla dark, mandible pale ; legs pale brownish, soles greenish white.
Length 5°75, wing 2°50 inches.
A. agricola (Jerdon), according to that author, appears to have been obtained in Afghanistan; but I did not meet with U5 (bj, ir Ile sh, 70.) LayG))e
(554) PHytioscorus * rristis, Blyth.
Phylloscopus tristis, Blyth, Seebohm, Ibis, 1877, p. 97.
One female, obtained on the 26th May at Byan Kheyl.
(560) PHyLLoscoPus VIRIDANUS.
Phylloscopus viridanus, Blyth, J. A.S. B. xu. p. 967; See- bohm, Ibis, 1877, p. 73.
Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus, Swinhoe, Ibis, 1861, p. 330.
One example shot at Byan Kheyl on the 28th June.
Mr. Seebohm informs me that, in his matured opinion, P. plumbeitarsus, Swinhoe, is identical with Blyth’s species.
(562) Puytuoscorus 1npicus (Jerdon).
Phylloscopus indicus, Jerdon, Seebohm, Ibis, 1877, p. 87.
Common. It was breeding throughout May and June; but the eggs were not obtained.
(566 dis) PHYLLOSCOPUS SUBVIRIDIS.
Reguloides subviridis, Brooks, P. A. 8. B. 1872, p. 148; Seebohm, Ibis, 1877, p. 106.
Common in the Hariab valley. A female shot on the 20th May contained eggs ready for laying.
Iris dark brown; bill horn-colour, paler beneath ; legs pale brown.
(582) Syzvia arrinis, Blyth.
Arrived in Hariab about the beginning of May. It was very common and was breeding by the 27th May. All the
* T am indebted to Mr. Seebohm for determining the specimens of this genus in my collection.
60 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
nests found were shallow cups, composed entirely of dried grass, and situated in small bushes, frequently juniper, about 21 feet from the ground. The eggs vary much both in size and colour—some being long ovals, nearly pure white, spotted with pale brown towards the larger end, and others of a much rounder form, and a pale greenish white, thickly spotted in a broad zone near the thicker end and smeared with very pale brown, or else spotted and smeared with olive-brown over the whole of the thicker end.
(592) Moracriia (CaLoBAaTES) MELANOPE.
Motacilla melanope, Pall. Reis. Russ. Reichs, in. p. 696.
This Wagtail was common throughout the summer, and commenced to breed in May.
On the 5th June I found a nest in the roots of a tree which was lying in the dry bed of the stream near our camp; it contained four young ones just hatched and one addled egg, which I secured with the old bird.
(591) MoraciLia PERSONATA. Motacilla personata, Gould, B. of Asia, pt. xii.
-The masked Wagtail (Motacilla alba of my first paper, Ibis, 1879, p. 448) was abundant and was breeding through- out May and June. On the 5th June I found a nest in an exactly similar position to that described above. It con- tained five young birds, which had been hatched a few days. On returning to the nest on the 28th of the same month the young had flown, and a second laying of three eggs was in the nest. In course of preserving the female which I shot I found in her a fourth egg, ready for laying. Another nest was placed in a recess under a large stone near the edge of the water.
At Shalofzan, in the Kurrum valley, in June I saw a pair of black-backed Wagtails, probably M. luzoniensis.
(597) ANTHUS TRIVIALIS.
Alauda trivialis, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. p. 288. no. 5 (1766, ex Brisson).
Only one pair seen in the Hariab district, the female of which was shot on the 5th May.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 61
(604) AGRODROMA JERDONI.
Agrodroma jerdoni, Finsch, Trans. Z. 8. vii. p. 197.
Corydalla griseorufescens, Hume, Ibis, 1870, p. 286.
Agrodroma sordida, Riipp. apud Jerdon, B. of Ind. i. p. 236.
The only specimen of Agr odroma which I preserved in Afghanistan agrees closely with others from Upper Scinde (Blanford), Kashmir (Jerdon), and one in the Tweeddale collection marked N.W. India. These four specimens have not the secondaries and wing-coverts margined with rufous, nor have they the lower surface deep fulvous, as depicted in Mr. Hume’s plate (Lah. to Yark. pl. xxi.) ; but these parts are of a light fulvous or ochre-fulvous, as Dr. Finsch describes them (loc. cit.). They have the breast-striations barely indi- cated, and strongly resemble the Abyssinian specimens Nos, 1571 and 1794 (but vide Ibis, 1869, p. 437) referred to by Dr. Finsch (loc. cit.), and which are in my possession. These are true A. sordida, Rupp.
All the other specimens I have in my collection from N.W. India generally agree with Mr. Hume’s plate above referred to, but not with the Afghan bird. The only marked difference between my Afghan and Kashmir birds and true A. sordida from Abyssinia is that they possess the fulvous spot at the tip of the second tail-feather, as, indeed, do all specimens from N. India. Mr. Hume is, I think, mistaken in saying that A. sordida, Rupp., has no striz on the breast. Both the Abyssinian specimens I have referred to are striated, faintly it is true, but still more distinctly than many birds from N.W. India.
This large Pipit is common on the slopes of the Safed Koh. I found the nest on the 22nd June under a small bush at the foot of a rock. It was neatly let into the ground, and con- tained three eggs, which I regret not being able to describe, as my collection of eggs has not yet arrived from India.
(638) LorHopHANES MELANOLOPHUS.
Parus melanolophos, Vigors, P.Z.S. 1831, p. 28.
Agrees with other examples from the Himalayas (Simla, Darjeeling).
62 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
Tris red-brown ; bill black; legs dark brown.
This is by far the commonest Tit in the pine-forests, and has all the habits of a true Parus. It was breeding in May and June; but I did not obtain its eggs. The only two nests found contained young birds.
(640) LopHoPHANES RUFONUCHALIS, Blyth.
This species is by no means so abundant as the last, with which it often associates, but still may be called common. It was breeding in May. The Lophophanes beavani of my last paper (Ibis, 1879, pp. 445, 448) is this bird.
I have observed it up to 10,000 feet on the Safed-Koh.
Tris bright brown ; bill black ; legs slate-colour.
Mr. Hume has pointed out (Lah. to Yark. p. 229) an apparent error in Dr. Jerdon’s description of this bird. Dr. Jerdon, however, appears to have copied the words “ with a rufous tinge on the back and belly” from Blyth’s original description (J. A.S. B. xvii. p. 810).
It is certain thst no such tinge is observable in my Afghan birds, nor in any of my Himalayan or Kashmir examples, of L. rufonuchalis, presuming that Mr. Hume and I are right in our identifications.
(645) Parus cinereus, Vieillot.
The Grey Tit was very common and was breeding in May and June.
(660) Corvus CULMINATUS. :
Corvus culminatus, Sykes, P. Z.S. 1832, p. 96; Sharpe, Cat. B. im. p. 20.
This is the only Crow observed in the Hariab valley, and it is very abundant there. It was nesting in the pine trees near our camp at Byan Kheyl in May. In the Kurrum valley, in fact, immediately you arrive at the foot of the eastern slope of the Peiwar Kotul, you find a Raven (Corvus corax, Linn., vel lawrencei, Hume) and the common Indian Crow (C. splendens, Vieill.), both common.
Bill from gape 2-2 inches.
(667) NucirraGA MULTIPUNCTATA. Nucifraga multipunctata, Gould, Birds of Asia, pt. 1.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 63
I saw three Nutcrackers one day on the Peiwar Kotul, which I believe belonged to this species.
(668 bis) Pica RUSTICA.
Corvus rusticus, Scop. Ann. I. Hist. Nat. p. 38.
Pica bactriana, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. p. 883 (Afghani- stan).
Pica sericea, Gould, P.Z.S. 1845, p. 2, “ China ”’= (P. media, Blyth, J. A.S.B. xiii. p. 303, “ Andes ”’).
The common Magpie is excessively abundant in Afghani- stan, and was breeding throughout May and June. In July numbers of young birds were brought into camp by the soldiers and caged.
It may be mentioned that it is not without a careful examination of a considerable series of Magpies from Europe and Asia that I have followed Mr. Dresser (B. of Europe) and Mr. Sharpe (Cat. B. vol. iii. p. 62) in uniting all the above species, which several authorities hold to be distinct.
With reference to Pica bottanensis 1 am not able to speak from my own experience ; and it would appear that Dresser had not examined a specimen from Bhootan in preparing his article (tom. cit.). Mr. Hume (Lah. to Yark. p. 241) seems confideut of its specific distinction.
(684) AcripoTHEREs TRIsTIS (Linn.).
Unknown in the Hariab valley, although abounding a few miles away on the far side of the Peiwar range. It is parti- cularly abundant in the Kurrum valley.
Acridotheres fuscus of my first paper (Ibis, 1879, p. 448) is this species.
(687) Srurnia pacopaRuM (Gmel.).
Never seen but once, when I saw a flock on some willow
trees. They were evidently passing through; for they were never seen again.
(706) PassER rnvicvus, J. & S.
The common House-sparrow of the Hariab valley. The Sparrows fly about in large flocks of sometimes two hundred to three hundred birds, of which about ten per cent. are P. salicicola.
64: Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
In the Kurrum valley, which is separated from the Hariab only by the small spur of the Peiwar, P. montanus is the common Sparrow; at least such was the case in July, only a few Passer indicus being visible.
(707) PassER SALICICOLA.
Passer hispaniolensis, Temm. Man. dOrn. 1. p. 353 (1820).
Passer salicicola (Vieill.), apud Jerdon, B. of Ind. ui. p. 364.
In the Tweeddale collection is a magnificent specimen, labelled Asia Minor, 12th May, which has the black of the upper surface descending over the rump onto the tail-coverts. This, I take it, must be the full breeding-plumage ; but all my Afghan specimens which were shot in the same month agree with a Spanish specimen in having the rump and upper tail- coverts brown. Further, the Asia-Minor skin has the bar on the lesser wing-coverts pure white, as well as the striations on the back, while the Afghan birds and the Spanish one above mentioned have the same parts creamy white (see also Hume, Ibis, 1868, p. 240).
I am under the impression that the female of P. salicicola may always, or nearly so, be distinguished from the female of P. indicus by its greater size and more massive bill. P. salicicola, female, has also the back not so rufous, and has a large but faint black patch on the throat. During the months of May and June, when I used to shoot sometimes a dozen in an afternoon, I have never found any difficulty in separating the females of the two species.
Another way in which the two may be distinguished (in addition to Mr. Hume’s distinctions, loc. cit.), which I have omitted above, is that in P. salicicola not only the shafts of the feathers of the lower tail-coverts are dusky, but also a large portion of either web, forming an arrow-headed patch, whilst in P. indicus, female, the shaft only is dusky.
(710) Passer MONTANUS (Linn.). Kurrum valley. Not observed in Hariab.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 65
(714) EmBeERiza STRACHEYI.
Emberiza stracheyi, Moore, P. Z.S. 1855, p. 215, pl. 112.
I follow Mr. Dresser (B. of E. pt. 12) in keeping this species separate from Hmberiza cia. My Afghan specimens are identical with those from Northern India in the collection of the late Lord Tweeddale, showing no white tips to the wing-coverts—a constant difference between the two species, as pointed out by Mr. Dresser (op. cit.).
The White-necked Bunting, as Jerdon calls it, is found on all the lower pine-clad slopes of the Safed-Koh, as well as of the Peiwar spur. It does not seem to affect the open coun- try, where Lmberiza stewarti is so very abundant. I found it breeding on the 19th June at the foot of the Peiwar Kotul at about 8000 feet.
(718) EMBERIZA STEWARTI.
Euspiza stewarti, Blyth, J. A. 8S. B. xxiii. p. 215.
Specimens from the Hariab valley agree with others from Northern India.
In the full summer-plumage the head is ashy white above, the cheeks, ear-coverts, and upper breast being pure white; the superciliary streak and throat jet-black ; the back, rump, and pectoral band bright reddish chestnut, unspotted. In the winter the head and back become greyish brown, each feather dark-shafted, sparingly splashed with chestnut ; the upper breast becomes smoky grey, a small spot under the throat only remaining pure white; the pectoral band becomes narrower and mottled with smoke-grey. The chestnut uro- pygium and upper tail-coverts remain unchanged.
This Bunting began to breed towards the end of April ; and during the months of May and June I found great num- bers of their nests. They were almost all situated under roots on sloping banks or hill-sides, and were composed en- tirely of dried grass. The eggs were generally four in num- ber; but I have found five. They vary exceedingly, both in size and colour, in different nests—some sittings being pale blue thickly spotted with purplish brown, and with a few irregular bunting-like blotches and dashes. In another nest
SER. IV.—VOL. IV. F
66 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
the eggs were much larger and coloured greyish white, pro- fusely spotted and speckled with red-brown, and with the usual blotches deep purplish brown.
This is by far the commonest of the three Buntings which occur in the district, being everywhere abundant in the open country. One pair built their nest within a few yards of my tent, which was on the outer edge of our camp at Byan Kheyl, in the Hariab valley. The note is a feeble imitation of that of our English Yellowhammer, being neither so loud nor so prolonged.
(722) EusPizA LUTEOLA.
Euspiza luteola, Sparrm. Mus. Carlson. i. pl. 93.
An exceedingly common species in Afghanistan.
I cannot find any account of the nidification of this Bunting, which breeds so plentifully in the Hariab valley. The first nest found was on the 19th June, and I was somewhat surprised that neither nest nor eggs were at all like those of other Buntings. The nest in question was built in a small bush about 23 feet from the ground ; it was cup- shaped, and composed of dried grass, stalks of plants, shreds of juniper bark, and lined with a few goat’s hairs. It con- tained four eggs of a pale bluish-white colour, finely spotted with purplish stone-colour, the spots becoming larger at the thicker end ; the eggs not having arrived from India, I cannot give their exact dimensions.
(725) HespERIPHONA ICTERIOIDES.
Coccothraustes icterioides, Vigors, P. Z.8. 1831, p. 8.
I shot a male specimen, one of a pair, on the Peiwar range at about 9000 feet.
Tris reddish brown, bill apple-green (yellow ? Jerdon), legs carneous.
This pair was evidently breeding.
(728) Mycuropas carnerpus (Hodgs.).
I only observed one pair, which I shot among the deodars near the camp at Byan Kheyl on the 30th April.
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan. 67
Iris hair-brown ; maxilla brownish horn-colour, mandible whitish horn-colour ; legs fleshy brown. These specimens agree with Himalayan examples.
(738) CaRPopacus ERYTHRINUS (Pall.).
The scarlet Grosbeak is not very abundant in our district; but I found it occasionally in small parties in May and the early part of June, afterwards in pairs. A male shot at Shalofzan in the Kurrum valley was apparently breeding ; for the testes were much enlarged.
(741) PRopassER RHODOCHLAMYS.
Pyrrhula rhodochlamys, Brandt, Bulletin de VAcad. de St. Pétersbourg, 1843, p. 27.
I only saw this species wpon one occasion, when I shot a male out of a pair in the pine-forest on the Peiwar range at 8800 feet.
The iris was light brown; bill greyish brown, mandible albescent; legs pinkish brown.
(749) CARDUELIS CANICEPS.
Carduelis eaniceps, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1831, p. 28.
Not uncommon. I have seen it associating with Meto- ponia pusilla.
(751) Meroronta pusttta (Pallas).
Plentiful m the Hariab district, and remained in flocks until the early part of June, when they commenced to breed. ‘I found a nest on the Peiwar range, which was placed near the extremity of a deodar branch about four feet from the ground, it was composed of dried weeds and strips of bark, and lined with feathers and goat’s hair. Only one egg was in the nest, of a delicate bluish white, speckled at the thicker end with minute reddish-brown spots.
(761) CaLANDRELLA BRACHYDACTYLA (Leisl.).
In small parties until the end of May, after which time i did not observe them.
(767) ALAUDA GULGULA.
Alauda gulgula, Franklin, P. Z.S. 1831, p. 119.
The Indian Sky-Lark was plentiful in the Hariab district, F2
68 Lieut. R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay’s
where it was nesting in June. I only preserved one speci- men, which, however, agrees well with Indian specimens. Wing 3°75 inches.
(784) Patumsus casioris, Bonaparte.
Columba palumbus, Linn. ap. Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1845, p. 865.
The Himalayan Cushat is not generally common in the Hariab district. In one spot, however, in the pine-forest between the main range of the Safed-Koh and the village of Ali Kheyl a large flock could always be found in the month of April. By the middle of the next month they had all paired. I found several nests, but was not able to obtain the eggs.
(788) CoLuMBA sp. ine.
I regret that I was unable to brmg home any skins of the Rock-pigeon of Afghanistan ; for I am now unable to say for certain to which species it belongs. I at first identified it with C. rupestris, Pall., but subsequently came to the con- clusion, from the great variation in plumage in large numbers shot by the officers, that they were nearly all hybrids from intermixture with the tame pigeons of the villages.
TURTUR FERRAGO.
Columba pulchrata, Hodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Misc. p. 85 sine descr. (1831).
Columba ferrago, Eversmann, Add. ad Zoogr. Ross.-As. ii. p. 17 (184:2).
Turtur vitticollis, Hodgs., apud Hend. & Hume (Lah. to Yark. p. 274).
Turtur pulchrata, Hodgs., apud Hume, 8. F. vi. p. 421; Legge, B. of Ceylon.
Turtur orientalis (Lath.), apud Dresser, B. of E. pt. lv.
It seems to me that Eversmann was the first author who applied a name to an Asiatic Turtledove which is distinctly described as having the tips of the rectrices white. The last few words of his description, however, which terminates as follows, “rectricibus apice albis, exceptis duabus mediis totis albis,” are not quite intelligible to my mind. If the specimen he described had the two centre tail-feathers entirely white, it must have been an accidental variety, but of the white-, and
Ornithological Notes from Afghanistun. 69
not of the slaty-under-tail-coverts form. Failing the adoption of Eversmann’s title, a new one would be required.
On examining a large series of the Asiatic representatives of our common European Turtledove (Turtur auritus), I find that I can only in part concur in Mr. Dresser’s view (‘B. of Kurope’) that there are not three species in Asia.
The form which has the lower tail-coverts, the outer margins of the outer pair of rectrices, and the tips of all pure white, should, I think, be considered worthy of specific dis- tinction ; but all the other birds, which have these parts of various shades of ashy-grey, belong, I think, to one species, which must stand under the title of Turtur orientalis (Lath.). In Japan a large race occurs (Columba gelastes, Temm.) ; and in the Indo-Burmese region a generally smaller race is found (? 2 C. meena, Sykes), which has the lower tail-coverts of a still deeper shade of ashy: but still in point of size both these races run into one another; that is to say, some birds from Burma (I am writing of adults) are as large, or nearly so, as the largest from Japan, and, again, a few Japanese speci- mens are as small as the average Burmese ones.
Captain Vincent Legge states (op. cit.), “‘ Latham unfor- tunately does not say what colour the under tail-coverts of his T. orientalis were.”” He certainly does not in the ‘ Index Ornithologicus ;? but in the ‘General Synopsis of Birds,’ i. pt. 2, p. 647, published in 1783, he describes ‘ La tourterelle brune de la Chine” as having the “under tail-coverts pale cinereous grey.”
Pallas’s description of his Columba rupicola reads as fol- lows:—* C. fusca, plumis gryseo-marginatis, subtus dilutior, rectricibus lateralibus extremo cinerascentibus.” ‘There can be little doubt to what species this refers ; but Gmelin’s description of Ginas nigra, given on the same page, is that of a pigeon, and not of a Turtledove at all, although Pallas gives the latter title as a synonym of Columba rupicola.
If my view of the case be considered by ornithologists to be the correct one, the synonymy of the species with ashy lower tail-coverts will run as follows :—
70 Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan.
La tourterelle brune de la Chine, Lath. Gen. Syn. Birds, 11. pt. 2, p. 647, ex Sonn. (1783).
Columba orientalis, Lath. Ind. Orn. ii. p. 606, ex Sonn. (1790).
Columba rupicola, Pall. Zoogr. Rosso.-As. i. p. 566 (1811).
Columba meena, Sykes (partim), P.Z.S. p. 149 (1832).
Columba agricola, Tickell, J. A. S. B. ii. p. 581 (1838).
Columba gelastes, Temm. Pl. Col. 550 (1888).
Columba (Turtur) gelastes, Temm. et Schleg. Faun. Jap. pl. 60 B (1850).
Columba viticollis major, Temm., fide Bp. Consp. Gen. Av. u. p. 60 (1857).
Columba viticollis minor, Temm., fide Bp. loc. cit.
Turtur meena, Sykes, ap. Jerd. B. of I. ii. p. 476.
Columba gelastes, Temm. et Schleg., apud Middend. Sib. Reise, Vogel, p. 189.
Columba (Peristera) turtur, L., var. gelastes, Temm., apud Schrenck, Vogel des Amurlandes, p. 389.
(796) Turrur risorius (Linn.).
Observed for the first time on the 10th June. Not nearly so abundant as the last species.
(802) Prerocies Exustus, Temm. ? I saw a pair of Sandgrouse at the same hour on three suc- cessive evenings flying over the camp in the same direction.
(809) LopHopHorus rmpryaNus (Lath.).
Several people told me that they had seen Monauls on the Safed Koh and the Peiwar range; and the natives said that there were plenty of them; but I was unfortunate in never seeing one. Several officers had bought skins from the natives, I was told.
(819) FRancoxinus pictus, J.& S. Occurs close to our district; but I have never seen or heard of it actually in the valley.
(820) CaccaBis cHuKAR, J. H. Gray. Scarce. I obtained one nest on the 16th June. In the Kurrum valley the Seesee, Ammoperdix bonhami, was com-
On some West-Indian Birds. 71
mon, and Ortygornis ponticeriana occurs ; for I saw one in a cage in the camp of the 5th Punjab Native Infantry.
(873) Rayncnma capensis (Linn.).
Captain Cook, V.C. of the 5th Goorkhas, informed me that he had shot a Painted Snipe in the month of January near Kurrum.
(893) TrincorpEs HYPoLEeucus (Linn.). A few pairs were about the river in May.
IV.—WNotes upon some West-Indian Birds. By P. L. Scuatzr, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.
(Plate I.)
Mr. LawreEncr’s series of papers upon the birds obtained for the Smithsonian collection by Mr. F. A. Ober during his visits to the islands of Barbuda, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Do- minica, Martinique, St. Vincent, and Grenada*, have greatly added to our acquaintance with the avifauna of the Lesser Antilles. [have on previous occasionst lamented the deficiency of our knowledge in this respect, and may offer our American brethren our congratulations on their discoveries in a field which, seeing that most of the islands belong to the colonial possessions of Great Britain, ought to have been occupied by us long ago. At the same time, English naturalists have done something towards the investigation of the Antillean avifauna since I wrote my article in 1871. With the kind assistance of the Rev. J. E. Semper, I have been able to give some account of the birds of St. Luciat; and Mr. Mister’s exertions $ have recently added something to our knowledge of the birds of St. Vincent. An examination of the collec- tion made by the last-named gentleman, now in the Museum of the University of Cambridge, and of some of Mr. Ober’s
* See Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1878 and 1879. + See ‘ Nature,’ vol. iv. p. 473 (1871).
} See P. Z. 8. 1871, p. 263, and 1872, p. 647. § See his notes, antea, p. 38.
72 Mr. P. L. Sclater on some
duplicates, which Mr. Lawrence has kindly aided me to acquire, has enabled me to make the few notes which I here subjoin.
1. CrncLoceRTHIA RUFICAUDA (Gould).
Cinclocerthia ruficauda, Scl. et Salv. Ex. Orn. p. 19, t. x.
Mr. Lister’s skin of this form from St. Vincent does not quite agree with the one in my collection, from which the figure in ‘ Exotic Ornithology ’ was taken, nor with others obtained by Mr. Ober in Dominica.
The St.-Vincent bird is darker above, especially on the head, and of a more greyish tinge below, especially on the throat and breast. ‘The bill is -2 inch longer.
The Dominica form comes nearer in colour to that figured in ‘ Exotic Ornithology ;’ but the bill is rather shorter even than in the form of St. Vincent, and the tail (in both examples) is considerably shorter.
It is certainly a very singular fact in distribution that the birds of this genus in Dominica and St. Vincent should be more nearly alike than that of the intermediate island of St. Lucia, where the very easily distinguished form, C. macro- rhyncha, nobis*, occurs.
Future writers, who have a better series, may think it necessary to separate the St.-Vincent and Dominica birds specifically ; but it will be a difficult question to decide which is the true Cinclocerthia ruficauda, the locality of the original specimen being unknown, and the type not to be found!
2. MarGaARors HERMINIERI (Lafr.).
Margarops herminieri, Lawr. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1. p.52 (Dominica), p. 187 (St. Vincent), p. 851 (Martinique), p. 452 (Guadeloupe).
My skins of this form from St. Lucia, obtained by Mr. Semper (P.Z.S. 1874, p. 268), are so different from those of Dominica (Oder), that I think it necessary to separate . the St.-Lucian bird as a distinct species. Lafresnaye’s type of his Turdus herminieri (Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 167) was from Guadeloupe. As Mr. Lawrence says nothing on the
* Ex. Ora. p. 21, pl. xi.
West-Indian Birds. 73
subject, we may assume that the same form is repeated in Martinique, St. Vincent, and Dominica. The form of St. Lucia may be described as follows :—
3. MARGAROPS SANCTH-LUCIA, Sp. Ov.
Supra cineraceo-brunneus unicolor ; capitis et ceryicis lateri- bus dorso concoloribus ; gutture pallidée fulvo, brunneo striato ; pectore et ventris lateribus brunneo squamatis, plumis medialiter albis, indé brunneo submarginatis ; ventre medio et crisso pure albis; axillaribus et sub- alaribus albis brunneo striatis; remigum et rectricum pagina inferiore cineracea; rostro et pedibus flavis : long. tota 10:0, alee 5:5, caudz 4:0, tarsi 1°7.
Hab. Ins. Sanctz Lucie Antillarum (Semper).
Mase iS:
Obs. Diversa a M. herminieri colore dorsi dilutiore, maculis nigris pectoris nullis, necnon alis et cauda longioribus.
4. CaTHAROPEZA BisHorPI. (Plate I.) Leucopeza bishopi, Lawr. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Se. i. p. 151, et Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1. p. 189.
Wing, bill, and foot of Catharopeza.
Mr. Lister’s collection contains examples of the bird de- scribed by Mr. Lawrence as Leucopeza bishopi, which I have examined with great interest. Mr. Lawrence has referred
74. On some West-Indian Birds.
this peculiar species to the genus Leucopeza, which I estab- lished (P. Z. 8S. 1876, p. 14) on a bird discovered in St. Lucia by Mr. Semper. But I do not think it possible to refer these . two forms to the same genus; and I therefore propose the name Catharopeza (ka@apos, clarus, et méCa, pes) for Mr. Lawrence’s bird. Catharopeza differs from Leucopeza in its shorter and broader bill, the slight bristles on the rictus, the shorter tail, and rather shorter and stouter tarsi.
Mr. Lister obtained examples of this species in both the plumages described by Mr. Lawrence, and, curiously enough, marks the white-gorgeted bird as a female and the brown- throated oneasamale. But I have little doubt that Mr. Ober (as quoted by Mr. Lawrence) is correct in his statement that the adults of both sexes are similar in plumage, and that the brown specimen is a young male.
The plumage of Catharopeza is quite peculiar among the Mniotiltide ; but I agree with Mr. Lawrence that it must be referred to this family.
The figures (Plate I.) are taken from Mr. Lister’s speci- mens, and represent, according to the views expressed above, an adult female (the male being similar) and a young male in the background.
5. Myiarcuvus oBERI.
Myiarchus oberi, Lawrence, Ann. N.Y. Ac. Sc. 1. p. 48.
I have examples of this species from Dominica, received direct from Mr. Ober, and kindly obtained for me through Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Taylor’s specimen from Dominica, and the skins of Mr. Semper from St. Lucia (M. erythrocercus, mihi, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 271) belong to the same species. In my opinion therefore M. oberi= M. erythrocercus, concerning which species cf. Ridgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 1. p. 138.
6. CyPpsELoIDES NIGER (Gm.).
Cypseloides niger, Scl. P. Z.S. 1865, p. 615.
Mr. Lister’s specimen of this species agrees well with Ja- maican examples in my collection. Mr. Ober does not appear to have noticed this bird, as it is not included in Mr. Law- rence’s catalogue.
Dr. O. Finsch’s Ornithological Letter. 75
7. CHETURA DOMINICANA.
Chetura dominicana, Lawr. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Se. i. p. 255.
Chetura poliura, Lawr. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 62.
Mr. Lawrence was quite right in separating this species from C. poliura (vide P. Z. 8S. 1870, p. 329). But although Buf- fon’s figure (Pl. Enl. 544. fig. 1) is very bad, I should have been inclined to refer the Dominican Chetura (mainly from the locality) to the ‘“ Hirondelle de la Martinique,” and to eall it Chetura acuta (Gm.).
V.—Ornithological Letters from the Pacific. No. I. By Orro Finscu, Ph.D.
Honolulu, July 28, 1879. Arter eight days’ stay in Washington, where I spent a pleasant time with Professor Baird and other old friends in the Smithsonian, and saw the foundations of the new grand Museum-building, we went straight through to the Pacific coast, and reached San Francisco on the 3lst of May. The members of the California Academy of Sciences most cordially welcomed me. The Academy unfortunately cannot yet dis- pose of the liberal gift of Mr. Lick (I believe 600,000 dollars), and therefore has still its head quarters in the old church. Their collections are very limited, and cannot be compared with those in Woodward’s Garden, which have been amassed by the zeal of Mr. Gruber, now keeper of the Museum there. Woodward’s Garden, although intended more for pleasure and amusement than pure science, is certainly a most inter- esting institution, and just what San Francisco and America generally require. Mr. Gruber has carried out an idea which Thad long ago in my mind, and which Mr. Wallace portrayed in the drawings of his work on the distribution of animals. This is a representation of the chief types of the different zoological centres of the globe by giving good illustrations of the fauna of the different parts of the earth in stuffed speci- mens, in accordance with the peculiar flora. This very in- structive invention, which Mr. Gruber calls a “‘Zoographicon”
76 Dr. O. Finsch’s Ornithological
is not only made to rotate as a whole, so that the different views follow each other, but the chief representatives of it are also in motion: the Wocdpecker hammers; the Dipper dives; the Ducks swim, and so on. This gives the whole a Marionette-like character, which of course is very attractive to the greater part of the visitors. The “‘ Zoographicon”’ is always crowded !
The Menagerie in Woodward’s Garden excels that of some of the smaller gardens in Germany, and contained some birds seen alive by me for the first time, e. g. Anser albatus, Alca cirrata, and Diomedea brachyura. The last-named species I saw afterwards in free nature. We left San Francisco in the ‘City of New York’ for Honolulu on June 9th. The bay was swarming with Gulls (Larus occidentalis) and Uria californica, the latter reminding one in its manners of the flocks of its smaller relative (Mergulus alle), which we had met with on the Atlantic when passing the banks on the 2nd and 5rd of May. But Mergulus is much more lively than Uria! As we approached the gigantic rocky islands (the Farralones), the Gulls increased in number, and flocks of Mormon cirrata were passing by. They make a very striking appearance in bird-life, and are easily recognizable by their red bills, and yellow ear-tufts. We had scarcely lost sight of the Farralones when the first Albatrosses made their appearance. There were first two, then four, a short while after twelve, behind the steamer, quarrelling with the Gulls over the refuse from the kitchen thrown overboard. ‘The next day (June 10) Guils had disappeared, and Albatrosses were the only visitors near the steamer. They were all Diomedea brachyura, and were all young birds in the uniform dark-brown garb of im- maturity. Some specimens were changing plumage, showing more or less of a white band and white rump and lower tail- coverts ; some were light-coloured beneath, below the breast. These Albatrosses were to be seen every hour of the day in smaller or larger numbers, varying from four to forty, careering around the vessel even after sunset. The flight of these birds is very fine; they seem to swim above the water, and often for a long while do not move the wings at all.
Letter from the Pacific. 77
When they alight on the water they stretch out the legs forwards like Vultures. They can raise themselves easily by making a few steps on the water with their feet. They snap at every thing that falls overboard, even such unpalatable things as old baskets, &c., and could be easily caught with a hook, if the steamer were not going too fast. It seemed that these flocks which followed our steamer consisted every day of different individuals ; for on the 11th of June nearly the whole day an Albatross kept in sight of us, which was easily recognizable by having a collar of red ribbon around its neck. This bird had no doubt been captured and liberated again, decorated in this manner. The Albatrosses were, as mentioned already, nearly the only birds we saw in this part of our voyage. Besides, I observed only occasional single specimens of a dark-coloured Puffinus (white underneath) and of asmall kind of Storm-Petrel (Procellaria). The Tropic- bird (Phaéton) was not seen until we caught sight of the Hawaian Islands (Hawaii itself) on the 16th of June; at the same time I observed a Frigate-bird (Tachypetes) soaring like a rapacious bird high in the air, but easily recognizable by its forked tail. When land was approached the Albatrosses became rarer, and finally disappeared altogether.
As the ‘ City of New York’ got fast on a reef going into the harbour, we were not landed at Honolulu before the morning of the 17th June. Jn passing through the streets of the garden-like city, the eyes cf the stranger are caught by the immense numbers of Mainas (Acridotheres tristis, I believe), which have been imported from China. These Mainas are a great nuisance to the inhabitants, as they drive away the Pigeons and Fowls, and are said to destroy the nests and eggs of the domestic birds. That they do drive out the Pigeons from their houses I observed many times myself. Their nests, which are constructed of fine roots and twigs, form great dis- orderly heaps, and contained two young ones (very young and still naked), or two eggs, in colour bluish, like that of our Starling (Sturnus). The Mainas are ever active and noisy; and the noise made by hundreds crying at their roosting-places is indescribable. In Mr. Barning’s garden, where the finest
78 Dr. O. Finsch’s Ornithological
trees, chiefly palms, abound, hundreds and thousands come to roost; and their unharmonious concert lasts from six in the evening for an hour or more. The same is the case at daybreak (a little after five o’clock). Next to the Mainas our House-Sparrow (Passer domesticus) takes the chief place; and it is very interesting to the stranger from the west to see his fellow-countryman, the Common House-Sparrow, located in cocoanut-trees in company with Mainas, just as if it had always been accustomed to this tropical tree. Besides the noise of the Mainas, and the chirping of the Sparrow, the call of a Turtle Dove is to be heard in every garden. This is also an introduced species from China (Turtur chi- nensis). These three species were all I saw during a week’s stay at Honolulu. Even some excursions into the environs, to Punch-bowl Hill and a neighbouring valley, made me acquainted only with two other birds—namely, a species of Carpodacus, imported from California, and the Short-eared Owl (Otus brachyotus). The latter seems to pursue a very different kind of life from what I saw of it in the tundras of Northern Siberia, and is hated by the inhabitants as a de- vourer of poultry.
The prospect being, as it appeared, not very encouraging, I left Honolulu as soon as possible, and started on June 24th for Mani, where we remained several weeks, stopping first at Waiehu, a lovely spot in the picturesque range of West Mani, where there are peaks of 7000 feet elevation, and then at Olinda, the summer residence of Mr. 8. Alexander.
While crossing the desert-like isthmus from Malaea Bay to Waike I observed no other birds than a few Mainas and the Turtle Dove; but when I visited the small lagoon near the latter place I was gratified with the sight of Fulica alai and Gallinula sandvicensis. Both species I observed repeat- edly at the lagoon of Kahalui (Mani) and near Waimanalo (Oahu). In manners, habits, and cry both these birds closely resemble their allies in Europe; but both are undoubtedly different species. The Coot may at once be easily distin- guished by its uniform pale greyish feet, without any greenish band on the joint of the knee. Besides, the cry is not so
Letter from the Pacific. 79
loud and harsh ; and the eggs are smaller, as is also the bird. The eggs I got at the lagoon of Kahalui. Here I also ob- served Actitis incana, a Charadrius (like C. hiaticula), a Himantopus, which Mr. Dole designates H. candidus, but which seems to be identical with the American species, and a Snipe lke our Gallinago scolopacina. This Snipe is not yet known from the Sandwich Islands, and is perhaps new. In the autumn the lagoon is said to swarm with Plovers (Charadrius fulvus), now breeding in arctic regions, and Ducks. Of the latter (Anas wyvilliana, Sclater) I saw flocks in the swamps near Waimanalo (Oahu). There were also a few Herons frequenting the reeds, and reminding me in manners very much of our Nycticoraz, perching during the daytime in Pandanus-trees. They were of uniform greyish brown, and belonged apparently to Ardea sacra. The white form I observed once at Kahalui.
Reaching Olinda (about 5400 feet altitude), halfway to the Haleakala, I found native forests of Kokui and Ohia trees, and in them native bird-life. During ten days’ stay in this region I got examples of only five species of birds, but ob- served some others, and one or two which seemed to me from their notes very peculiar, and which gave me the idea that these woods may hold a few unknown species. But it is very hard work to make observations in these forests, with their immense wilderness of fallen trees and shrubs, and still more difficult to shoot a bird, and to find it when shot. Naturalists who have seen the tropics of Africa and America, will wonder to hear that I succeeded in getting only twenty birds ; but I had to do all the work myself, as the able bird- catchers of former days among the natives are nearly as ex- tinct as the whole race. And in the same way are going the native forests, and with them the native birds. With the Oliva tree, on the wonderful red flowers of which the Drepanis feeds, will disappear these lovely birds, which formerly fur- nished the materials for the precious clothes of the kings. I observed many examples of Drepanis coccinea and D. san- guinea, and heard their nice little song, and got them. But it was moulting-time, and the birds did not make good speci-
80 Dr. O. Finsch’s Ornithological Letter.
mens. But D. coccinea alive, with its bright vermilion bill and legs, is a wonderful bird. The stomach of both spe- cies contained nothing more than small seeds. Male and female of D. sanguinea wear the same garb. Quite different in manner and song is Drepanis flava, of which I got both sexes. ‘The commonest species is Hemizgnathus obscurus. It goes in small flocks from tree to tree, reminding one in manners and its short call very much of Parws, and taking apparently an intermediate position between the latter and the Leaf-Warblers (Phylloscopus). As regards nesting I could make no observations, as the breeding-time was over, and most of the birds were feeding their young. One species, of which I shot an example thus occupied, would have proved new had it not been described a very short time ago by Mr. Dole (Hawaiian Almanac for 1879, p. 45) as Drepanis aurea). This little bird, which Mr. Dole described from Hawaii, is, no doubt, a Hypoloxias; and as the species is un- known in Europe, I give here a description of the old and young birds.
HyPoLoxiAs AUREA.
Drepanis aurea, Dole, Haw. Almanac, 1879, p. 45.
Uniform orange; quills blackish brown, margined externally with the same colour, but more sordid; covers of primaries and secondaries on the outer webs broadly margined with dull orange. Bill hornish-blue, tip blackish; iris dark brown. Stomach containing nests of insects (caterpillars) ; first and third primaries longest, first scarcely shorter.
Young (just able to fly, and fed by the former). Upper parts dull olive green, the outer margin of the dark brown quills and tail-feathers more vivid, the same as the tips of the secondaries, which form a pale cross band on the wing; lower parts pale olive-yellow, chin passing into whitish ; bill horn-blackish, tip darker; feet black; third and fourth pri- maries longest, second equal to fifth, somewhat shorter, first alittle shorter; tail twelve feathers. Tongue ordinary, bifur- cated at tip.
These were all the birds I got; but, as mentioned above, I
On the Ornithology of Asia Minor. 81
heard others—among them a very melodious song, reminding one of Petrocossyphus cyanus. The songster was, perhaps, Chasiempis. Psittirostra psittacea I saw repeatedly ; but I lost those I shot, from their falling into the ferns.
I also got information of a very curious bird, which the natives call “U-au.”’ According to the description it breeds in holes underground on the mountains, resorting to its nesting- place only at night. I do not doubt that the bird is a species of Puffinus, as similar. habits are known of allied species in the Fijis, Navigators’ Islands, Tahiti, &c. To obtain infor- mation of this species, which Mr. Dole enumerates as “ Pro- cellaria alba, Gm.,’’ I made a day’s trip to a part of the Northern Haleakala ranges, where the birds were said to be breeding. Although I took the best guide I could get, we found nothing but a few old holes under the ferns, and an old dried-up white egg. The species remains, therefore, still uncertain ; but I have no doubt that it is the same which I saw soaring in evening-time on the rocky coast near Lahama. The bird looked black, white below, and reminded me of Puffinus obscurus. Just as unsuccessful was our trip to the spot where Bernicla sandvicensis breeds in the gigantic crater Haleakala, as, on account of the exhausted condition of our horses, we could not get into the crater, but were forced to be satisfied with a look into it, a sight never to be forgotten.
My next letter will, I trust, contain notes from Micro- nesia, as we start tomorrow on board of the bark ‘ Hawaii’ direct for Taluit (Bonham), the chief place of the Marshall Group. As this region is a little out of the way, a long time will elapse before I shall be able to write again.
VI—A further Contribution to the Ornithology of Asia Minor. By C. G. Danrorp.
(Plate I1.*) Tue principle that “every little helps’
> must be my excuse
* The accompanying sketch map of Asia Minor shows the routes: (coloured red) described in the present and in my former paper (Ibis,
_ SER. IV.—VOL. IV. G
82 Mr. C. G. Danford on the
for the following rough description of another excursion in Asia Minor.
The time passed on the mainland was from January | to April 23, 1879. The number of species of birds identified was, considering the extent and varied character of the country traversed, not large; but as we moved northwards and westwards before the time of migration, many birds were missed which a longer stay in the south-eastern districts would doubtless have added to the list.
Among the species met with are no novelties, and only two which it is believed have not hitherto been recorded from the western Palearctic region.
We reached Rhodes December 10th, and spent the short remainder of the year (1878) in making a tour through the greater part of the island, the route taken being by the west coast to Soronee, thence across country to Lindos, of knightly and ceramic fame, and so by the eastern shore back to the capital. The population of Rhodes is now scanty; and, with the exception of narrow strips by the sea-shore, there is but little cultivation. The interior is hilly, much broken up by earthquakes, and, though bare in some parts, is generally covered with evergreens, heaths, and aromatic herbs. Red- legged Partridges were everywhere numerous ; Woodcocks had just began to arrive; and fallow deer were found among the myrtle and arbutus thickets of Dimilia and the pine- woods of Laerma. Birds in general, however, were very scarce, not more than twenty species having been seen—a fact probably attributable to the dryness of the island. Still, in the pine-woods Nuthatches and Woodpeckers might have been expected to occur; yet only one of the latter was ob- served. Limmergeyers, Vultures, and other birds of prey were common ; and on one occasion one of the smaller Hagles on being fired at, dropped a dead Marsh-Harrier.
1877, p. 261), also some districts previously visited and incidentally re- ferred to. The configuration of the country is taken from an excellent map by the late Dr. Petermann. The principal towns are indicated by a circle with a black centre, smaller towns by a plain circle, and villages and halting-places by a black dot.
Ornithology of Asia Minor. 83
Sailing from Rhodes December 28, we arrived at Mersina on the morning of the 30th, and left the same day for Adana. With a culpably weak-minded reliance upon official state- ments, we travelled in arabas (covered carts), and not close to each other—the result being that though we ourselves and a large sum of money intrusted to our care reached our desti- nation safely, though late, one of our men arrived wounded, and many of our effects never came at all, having been requi- sitioned on the way by a gang of Arabs, who, with much good sense, improved so excellent an occasion. Such a loss occur- ring at the outset of the journey was discouraging, and neces- sitated a week’s stay at Adana to repair damages. Now the tailors of that town are not so very bad; but the bootmakers, though they showed considerable aptitude in copying the solitary boot recovered, had no good leather. Nor are there any scientific-instrument shops where to replace a lost aneroid; so that the heights given in this paper are merely guesses, guided by certain leading elevations laid down in the maps.
About the town are orchards and vineyards, the resort of Quails, Woodcocks, and Francolins ; but the latter are most numerous in the large grass and reed-covered tracts by the banks of the Sarus. This river bounds the town on its eastern side, and is crossed by a many-arched bridge, dating from Roman times. Over this bridge lies the way to Missis, distant some six hours’ journey, through a bare, flat, uninter- esting country ; and at that place is a somewhat similar struc- ture, which spans the Jihan (Pyramus), a deeper, slower- flowing stream than that of Adana.
This river, so quiet near its outflow, we were again to see in its headlong course through the wild gorges of the Taurus, and finally to track to its birthplace in the high plateau beyond. In the meantime our road lay along its left bank, among thorn- and mpyrtle-thickets, where Bulbuls sang and Spanish Sparrows congregated, while the more reedy patches were haunted by Kingfishers (Alcedo ispida, Ceryle rudis, Halcyon smyrnensis), various Herons, and a few Ducks.
G2
84. Mr. C. G. Danford on the
The low hills of Nur Dagh, a little to the south, are re- ported to hold plenty of Fallow deer, and the jungle growths by the riverside afforded abundant evidence of the existence of many pigs.
After passing Yilan Kalessi (Castle of the Snake) the road cuts off a bend, again striking the river at Yersofat, which here turns off to the north, its course being marked by large beds of reed and tamarisk. As far as the Djerid villages ex- tends a flat open country, peopled by Kurds, Circassians, and Turkomans, whose habitations are, for the most part, miserable reed-built huts. Antelopes (Gazella dorcas) and ¥rancolins abounded; and where there was a pool it was sure to swarm with Ducks (Anas boscas, A. clypeata, A. crecca) and Waders (Recurvirostra avoceita, Himantopus melanopterus, Totanus ochropus, &c.).
A short day’s march from Djerid is Osmanieh, where we spent about a fortnight, and were much surprised at the paucity of birds in so good-looking a locality. At the back of the village are the wooded heights of the Giaour dagh, whence descend some quick clear streams, which, after travers- ing a narrow tract of bushes and stones, are either taken up by irrigation or lose themselves in the large reed-beds. The little Drymeca gracilis was here common, as was also the Chiff-chaff (Phylloscopus collybita)—a ubiquitous winter re- presentative of the Warblers. Of Buntings there were Hm- beriza cia, E. scheniclus and E. miliaria, the first named being the most common throughout the country. On the streams we picked up Cinclus aquaticus, not so dark-breasted as in the Taurus, Acredula tephronota, and a few other well- known species. Francolins swarmed, especially near culti- vated ground, where they might be seen in the morning flying off into the reeds like Pheasants into a well-stocked English cover. Among those shot was an isabelline variety of the female; and another great excitement was a hunt after a strange-looking bird, which turned out to be an albino Magpie, dirty white in the general plumage, with a smoky-coloured head and much-abraded tail. The best spoil of Osmanich, however, was not ornithological, being a fine specimen of the leopard (Felis pardus), to obtain which was one of our principal objects in visiting these mountains.
Ornithology of Asia Minor. 85
We left Osmanieh January 23rd, and passing by the village of Dervish and the banks of the Hamus, ascended the ever- green-covered hills of the Giaour-dagh. Among the few fir trees our old friend Sitta krueperi was common enough; and the high-level valley near Bunaluk was well stocked with Francolins, though its elevation must be about 2000 feet. Bunaluk, or Baghdche, is a desolate sort of place, half Turk half Armenian, and is situated close up under the hills in a corner of the valley. Fallow deer were said to be numerous not far off ; and as the horns shown us were unlike any hitherto seen, we were anxious to get a specimen. A bad fall had fairly laid me up; so some native sportsmen were dispatched, who outstayed the time allotted them; but we subsequently learned that they returned with camels laden with twelve deer and some antelopes.
From this point there are two route to Marash; but the shorter being closed by snow, we followed the longer through the defile considered by some to be the Pyle Amanides.
Snowdrops, colchicums, and crocuses were blooming on the eastern side of the hills, down which a sharp descent led to a village on the edge of a lonely marshy country. This was a part of the so-called plain of Bazardjik, on which, four hours further to the north, are the wretched hovels of Sarilar and the lake of the Giaour-geul.
By far the greater portion of this lake is so covered with tall reeds that it is impossible to get near the open water without using the native boats. These are regular “dug- outs,’ being hollowed from barked but undressed logs from 20 to 30 feet long. They are worked by a paddle at each end, and are by no means bad craft when there is no wind to create a wash.
A lot of reeds thrown in made dry seats, on which N. and I patiently sat while a good quarter of a mile of thickish ice was broken through before we emerged onto the more open water, which had been kept from freezing by the wind. How- ever, the sight that met us was well worth the trouble ; for on every side rose myriads of Ducks, Anas boscas, A. acuta, A. elypeata, A, strepera, and A. crecca being the most numerous.
86 Mr. C. G. Danford on the
Coots and Pygmy Cormorants were in legions and many Eagles sailed about, scaring the Ducks, but too lazy and well fed to make a dash at them. There must be some peculiar feeding to attract such quantities of wildfowl to this lake, the excellent flavour of all species of Ducks killed on it being an additional proof of this.
By this time our men had found another craft ; so, proceed- ing together, we crossed an open piece of water, and pushing through some long winding reed alleys, arrived at the island, a place which even the Sarilar people had described as too filthy to visit. It is a miserable patch of ground, almost level with the water, and, being covered with a deep débris of Coots’ wings and fishbones, has the most “ancient and fish-like smell” conceivable. The mhabitants of the eight or nine reed huts are of a very peculiar type; ideed the description given by Prjevalsky of the lake-dwelling population of Lob- nor so exactly suits the natives of the Giaour-geul, that one cannot help thinking that these few isolated bemgs must be a relic of some similar tribe.
Pressingly as they entreated us to stay, we found five minutes of the stench enough, and, quitting their domain, set te work looking for small birds; but the day being cold and windy, only a few Bearded and Penduline Tits and some Warblers (Sylvia melanopogon &c.) were visible.
Leaving the lake, the road passes by the village of Ali oglu, over some bush-covered hills, along the banks of the Ak-soo, through that stream, and across marshy ground to the town of Marash, on the barren red-earthed slopes of the Achyr-dagh, which forms part of the Taurus.
The Giaour-dagh runs up to this range almost at right angles, being here separated from it by the valley of Ak-soo, and further on by the river Jihan. In most maps of Asia Minor the geography of its south-eastern corner appears to be inaccurate. For instance, the mountains of the Giaour-dagh are shown as disconnected from those of the Lebanon, whereas they really seem to form a continuous range, the Anti-Lebanon being also prolonged by the hills running to the north of Aintab. Between these lines of elevation is a
Ornithology of Asia Minor. 87
tract marked as the Plain of Bazardjik, but which actually comprises a district much broken up by inferior hills enclosing small marshy plains. The probable reason of these errors is, that this country, which is still rather unsettled, was, at the time when the surveys were made, much more disturbed, being then in the hands of independent Dereh Beys—a state of things which made mapping difficult.
Finding little at Marash, except some wonderful Snipe- shooting, we took a south-easterly direction to the other side of the lake, where we put up with some Kizil-bashes, who, in spite of their bad reputation, seemed decent fellows enough. A large lynx-like cat (Helis chaus) frequents this locality ; and we met with one while crossing over flat rushy ground to the limestone hills, which must be surmounted before reaching Aintab. “This is a large uninteresting town, lying at an elevation of 2700 feet, well built, and surrounded by enormous cemeteries. One of our men having caught fever in the rice-marshes at Marash, we were compelled to halt here for a day or two, noting a few birds, amongst which were Rock-Pigeons at the castle, and Egyptian Turtledoves about the trees and buildings of the town. From Aintab was an easy stage to Arul, where the blue and purple hills of Mesopotamia came into view; andthe next day, after passing by the large olive-groves of Nizib, we descended by gentle slopes to the valley of the Euphrates. Very picturesque are the old castle and town of Biledjik, set on the chalky rocks and high ground of the opposite side of the river. Very quaint too are the clumsy high-stemmed low-sterned ferry- boats, which keep up the municipal exchequer by the tolls derived from the daily transport of many passengers and vast numbers of camels, this being the main line of traffic between Mosul and Aleppo.
Taking up our quarters in the house of a Turkish gentle- man, whose most considerate hospitality made our stay very pleasant, we made several short excursions up and down the river. Early as it was (February 14), some of the larger Birds of prey (Haliaetus albicilla, Aquila bonellii) had long begun breeding. The nests of the former contained two, and even
88 Mr. C. G. Danford on the
three eggs, and were built on the cliff-edges, with some small bush as a foundation, whilst those of the latter were always placed on the rock itself, all eggs of both species being well advanced in incubation. Buteo ferox, common here and throughout the country, did not seem to have begun laying ; nor had any of the smaller Hawks. On the rocks were numbers of Pigeons (Columba livia) and a few Wall-creepers (Tichodroma muraria). Among the orchards were Tits (Parus major, P. ceruleus), a solitary Woodcock, and Woodpeckers (Picus syriacus), the females of this bird being much more numerous thanthe males. These orchards, containing almost the only trees of the district, would, later on, be capital collecting-places during the tide of immigration, which doubt- less sets strongly along the valley of this river. Already there were signs of its flow in the presence of a few Hoopoes and a flock or two of Geese ; but the most interesting of the new comers was an Ibis (Geronticus calvus). We had already been told at Aintab that a strange bird was to be found at Biledjik and nowhere else; so that one of our first inquiries was about it. “The Kel Ainak has not yet arrived,” said the governor; “but we expect it the day after tomorrow.” Tyue to the time (February 16) came a pair of these birds ; but it was not until the 18th that the first large imstalment appeared, and we were able to make out that they belonged to the genus Idis. They were at first very restless, flymg round the town in strings of from five to fifteen individuals ; but as evening came on they circled lower, and presently came the governor and his satellites bearing one which he had himself shot. Now, as the Kel Ainak is a semi-sacred bird, his taking the odium of its slaughter upon himself was a special act of courtesy, deserving of special recognition. At dawn next day we brought down another specimen from its roosting-place on a long ledge of the castle-rock, where they breed, and there only ; for they never go more than a mile or two further up the river, and that merely to search for food. Doubtless many colonies exist lower down; and it is probably this species which is alluded to im a narrative of the Eu-
phrates Expedition * as “the black Ibis which builds its * Helfer (Travels of Dr. and Madame), vol. i. p. 236.
Ornithology of Asia Minor. 89
nests by thousands in the ramparts” of Racca, nearly in the latitude of Aleppo. Another bird whose acquaintance we here made was that charming little Partridge Ammoperdix bonhami, whose delicately tinted plumage is such an exact reflection of the grey and pearly tones of the surrounding landscape. The Tchil Keklik, as it is called, is rather local, and frequents the stony places near cultivated ground up to a considerable elevation. Its note is very distinct, its flight quick, strong, and short, and its habits much the same as those of the Chukar, in whose company it 1s sometimes found. The coveys, however, seem to be smaller, seven being the largest seen ; but perhaps they may be more easily thimned by Hawks than those of their stronger relations. The great desideratum at Biledjik is a boat, without which one cannot get at the waterfowl, who take good care to keep to the islands; but given that article and the proper time of year, it ought to prove a good station for the ornithologist.
We left Biledjik February 19th, our host’s (Sheik Mus- tapha) parting gift being the skin of a cheetah (Felis jubata) killed near here, and looked upon as a great rarity. The road at first follows the river under the cliffs, but soon strikes across cultivated ground, bordered by almond-hedges in full bloom, and passing over hills and valleys, drops down again to the water-side near the large village of Khalfetin. The upper levels of this region are chiefly desolate wastes of stones and grass ; but parts of the river-bank and the bottoms of the valleys are clothed with fruit-trees, especially with walnut and fig, which grow to a great size. Pistachio-trees are also common, though the “ Pistazien-Wald ”’ of Kiepert’s map has no actual existence, being, in fact, an oak-wood, the mistake doubtless having originated in the great resemblance which the stumpy oaks have when leafless to the pistachio, a few of which are also to be seen wherever there is a little cultivation. |
We spent a few days with the governor of Khalfetin and Room Kaleh, a Kurd of high family, with a long emblazoned pedigree. In spite of his heing more than eighty years old, he insisted upon going out shooting over the roughest of
90 Mr. C. G. Danford on the
ground ; and under his guidance we bagged a certain number of both species of Partridge. He also told us of a man who had shot a bird like a cock, with a long tail; but the place was two days off, and quite out of our way. Can it be that Pheasants are to be found in this quarter ?
Our route lay along the opposite bank of the Euphrates river to the strange old castle of Room Kaleh, where the scenery is very imposing, the river being shut in with huge walls of iron-stained rock. Among the few birds seen were Mergus merganser and Carbo cormoranus. Again ascending, we leit the river, and travelled by bad stony paths through upland valleys, whose only tenants seemed to be antelopes. This is the region of the “