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Show 790 MR. R. BOWDLER SHARPE ON THE [June 21, inner web. Total length 5 inches, culmen 0*55, wing 2*4, tail 2*25, tarsus 0*9. HaB. Borneo. Gould collection. After comparing this dull-coloured Flycatcher with examples of several genera of Muscicapidae, I have come to the conclusion that it is a Siphia belonging to the olive section (cf. Sharpe, Cat. B, iv. p. 443), but differing from all the species by its olive tail, grey cap, and white eyebrow. 9. On the Birds of Sandakan, North-east Borneo. By R. B O W D L E R SHARPE, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Department of Zoology, British Museum. [Received June 21, 1881.] My friend Mr. W. B. Pryer some time ago forwarded to me three large collections which he had made in the new district of Sandakan in North-eastern Borneo ; and a list of the species represented in them is here given. Unfortunately only one species appears to be actually new to science; but several birds unknown to tbe avifauna of Borneo are recorded, and a few remarks on some of the rarer species are added. Owing to many calls upon my time, I have had no opportunity before of describing Mr. Pryer's collections, for which I owe him an apology. In the present paper, I have quoted Count Salvadori's ' Uccelli di Borneo,' both as regards nomenclature and classification, departing therefrom in only a very few instances. 1. FALCO COMMUNIS, Gm. Falco communis, Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 376 ; Salvad. Ucc. Born. p. A young male. I also saw, a few years ago, a fine adult Peregrine in the Marquis of Tweeddale's collection, which had been sold to him by a dealer as from North-eastern Borneo. Hitherto the occurrence of the Peregrine Falcon in Borneo has rested upon a specimen procured by the late Mr. Motley at Banjermassing. 2. MlCROHIERAX LATIFRONS. Microhierax latifrons, Sharpe, Ibis, 1879, p. 237, pi. vii. One specimen with the broad white forehead characteristic of the species. Without in the least doubting Mr. Whitely's good faith in his correspondent who sent him two specimens of this species said to be from the Nicobars (cf. Gurney, Ibis, 1881, p. 274) I greatly doubt the possibility of such a bird having escaped all the researches of such naturalists as Mr. Davison and Capt. Wimbeilev who have resided for a long time in these islands and thoroughly worked their ornithology. As is well known, the members of the genus Microhierax are very restricted in their range ; and it is scarcely possible that M. latifrons should inhabit N.W. Borneo and the Nicobars, with the Malayan peninsula and its species M'. fringillarius interposed. |