OCR Text |
Show 496 Mil. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. [May 16, Crested Guineafowls, which were the types of Mr. Elliot's new species Numida verreauxi (Ibis, 1870, p. 300, and Monogr. of Phas. pt. i. pl. 16). I am, however, informed by M . Jules Verreaux that they are of the same species as that previously dedicated by Dr. Hartlaub to the late M . Edouard Verreaux as Numida edouardi (Journ. f. Orn. 1867, p. 36). The latter name has naturally precedence. 36. LARUS ATRICILLA, Linn. In April last year we purchased of a dealer two Gulls in immature and dirty plumage, stated to have been received from " New Zealand." Relying, somewhat too confidently I confess, on this locality, I entered them in the Register of Additions as Larus melanorhynchus, Buller*, that being the only species in the list of New Zealand birds likely to suit them. One of them died, but the other moulted into fine plumage this spring, and has put on a beautiful black hood, dark mantle, and other characteristics of the well-known North-American species Larus atricilla. I am not aware that we have previously had a living specimen of this bird in the Society's collection. 37. APTERYX AUSTRALIS, Shaw. The Apteryges living in our gardens have hitherto been referred to A. mantelli, Bartlett. Having, however, lately had an opportunity of examining a series of specimens, I find that there is a large amount of individual variation among them, particularly as regards the scaling of the tarsus, and have nearly come to the conclusion that there are only two species of the genus yet properly discriminated, namely Apteryx australis (embracing all that we have hitherto called A. mantelli) and A. oweni. Of the distinctness of these two species (both of which are now represented in our living collection) there can, I think, be no possible doubt. 3. O n the Birds of the Vicinity of Lima, Peru. By P. L. S C L A T E R , M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. With Notes on their Habits; by Professor W . N A T I O N , of Lima, C.M.Z.S. (Part IV.t). [Received April 26, 1871.] Various circumstances have unfortunately hindered our corresponding member Professor Nation for some time past from continuing to transmit to me his collections and notes. He has, however, lately found an opportunity of sending m e a few skins, accompanied by the following remarks :- 1. PHRYGILUS ALAUDiNus(Kittlitz); Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 111. " In 1867 I discovered this beautiful bird on a large plain, covered * See P. Z. S. 1870, App. p. 895. t Continued from P. Z. S. 1869, p. 148. |