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Show 384 MR. Et. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MADAGASCAR. [June 9, Prof. Newton, V.P., exhibited a series of large Falcons from Alaska, sent to him for determination by Prof. Baird, For. Memb., Assistant-Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Some uncertainty had hitherto prevailed as to the form of large Falcon which inhabited the north-west of America, or indeed any of the territory lying to the west of Hudson's Bay ; but it would appear likely, from the statement of Richardson (Faun. Bor.-Am. ii. p. 28), that in some parts at least of that tract Falco candicans breeds. The birds from Alaska Prof. Newton referred without doubt to F. islandicus, though belonging to the darker phase of that form. He also adverted to the fact that in the lately published list of Alaskan birds by Messrs. Dall and Bannister* this large Falcon was included under the name oi Falco sacer, Forst. (Phil. Trans. 1772, pp. 383, 423), remarking that, as had been previously shown (Ibis, 1862, p. 51, note), the species to which this name referred was certainly not a Falco at all as the genus is now restricted, and that, if Forster's diagnostic character, "iris yellow'" (on which great stress was laid), could be trusted at all, the bird was most likely that which is generally known as Astur atricapillus. Mr. Gould exhibited, and made remarks on, some specimens of Water-ouzels (Cinclus) killed in Norfolk, pointing out that these birds differed from the ordinary Cinclus acquaticus of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, and agreed with the Scandinavian form called Cinclus melanogaster\. Dr. J. Hawkes, F.Z.S., communicated a note on a case of hernia ventriculi in a common Canary-Finch (Crithagra canariensis). The following papers were read :- 1. Contributions to the Ornithology of Madagascar.-Part I. B y R. B. S H A R P E , F.L.S., Libr. Z.S., &c. (Plate XXIX.) I have recently beeu favoured by Mr. Cutter, Natural-History Agent, of 35 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, with the inspection of a collection of birds formed by Mr. A. Crossley in the northern portion of Madagascar. Ornithologists are greatly indebted to Mr. C. Ward of Halifax, who, at his own expense, equipped Mr. Crossley for this expedition. As might be expected from the list of birds furnished by M. A. Grandidier (Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, pp. 319, 353, 385, 417), the ornithology of this portion of Madagascar is of great interest; and I have therefore put together a few notes on the birds contained in the present consignment. Before I saw the collection, the British Museum had made their selection and had secured seve- * Transactions of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, i. p. 271 (1809). f Cf. Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, i. p. 09; and Salvin in Ibis, 1807, p. 115. ED. |
