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Show 304 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON ETHIOPIAN H I R U N D I N I D E E . [May 12, Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, p. 360; Cass. Proc. Phil. Acad. 1859, p. 33 ; D u Chaillu, Eq. Afr. p. 472 (1862) ; Gray, Hand-1. of B. i. p. 71 (1869). Atticora nigrita, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av. i. p. 337 (1850) ; Hartl. Journ. f. Orn. 1853, p. 398 ; Mull. Journ. f. Orn. 1855, p. 3 ; Hartl. Orn. Westaf. p. 25 (1857). Waldenia nigrita, Sharpe, Ibis, 1869, p. 461. Above glossy purplish blue ; chin dusky ; throat white ; rest of the under surface of the body purplish blue, but more dusky than the back; tail distinctly washed with dark blue above, underneath brownish black, the greater part of the inner web white ; bill black ; feet brown. Total length 4*5 inches; of bill from front 0*35, from gape 0-6; wing 4*3; tail 1*6; tarsus 0*35, middle toe 0*4, hind toe 0*2. Young. Dusky purplish blue, tbe white throat-spot not quite so large, the tail square, or only slightly forked, and the white spots on the inner web oval and small. Hab. Fantee (Pel) ; Rio Boutry (Pel) ; Calabar (Mus. Paris) ; R. Niger (Thompson) ; Camma River (Du Chaillu) ; Gaboon (Mus. R.B.S.). The idea that this species ought to be generically separated was entertained long ago by the late Mr. Cassin, who wrote in 1859 as follows:- " This fine species seems to indicate a distinct subgeneric group, having the bill and form of typical Hirundo, with a shorter tail. Its colour, too, pure black, with the throat white, is quite characteristic." Genus 7. HIRUNDO. Hirundo, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 343 (1766) Cecropis, Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971 Uromitrus, Bonap. Rivist. Contemp. Torino, 1857, P-4 ;. Hemicecrops, Bonap. Rivist. Contemp. 1857, p. 4 Lillia, Boie, Journ. f. Orn. 1858, p. 364 Clavis specierum. A. dorso postico et uropygio cayuleis. a. capite cseruleo : fronte rufa. a', gula iatense rufa. a", maj ores: subcaudalibus runs vel rufa tinctis. a'", subtus alba, rufo tincta, caudte maculis albis b'". subtus intense castanea, caudas m a culis fulvo tinctis b". minores. &". subcaudalibus nigricanti-fuscis ... d'". subcaudalibus purissime albis ... b'. gula alba. c". major: torque pectorali distincto d". minor: torque pectorali interrupto Type. H. rustica. H. capensis. H. filifera. H. dimidiata. H. rufula. 1. rustica. 2. riocouri. 3. angolensis. 4. lucida. 5. albigularis. 6. cethiopica. |