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Show 770 MR. E. BARTLETT ON MAMMALS AND [Dec. 16, 20. GALIDICTIS STRIATA, Geoffr. S.W. coast of Madagascar. This species is described as having seven or nine longitudinal black streaks on the back; the specimens which I have received have only six streaks. 21. EUPLERES GOUDOTII, Doyere. S.E. coast of Madagascar. 22. NESOMYS BETSILEOENSIS, sp. nov. S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. Called by the natives " Volane andrivo." Fur soft, abundant, and shining, reddish brown, tipped with black, base nearly black; underparts of body rufous, paler on the chin and throat; feet and tail sparingly covered with short pale-coloured hairs. Length 7 inches; tail 3 inches. This interesting Rodent closely resembles in general appearance our common Water-Vole (Arvicola amphibius), differing in being much smaller, in its richer tone of colour, the fur nearly black at the base, and the tail shorter. B I R D S. 1. S C O P S RUTILUS, Puch. S.W. coast, and S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. Called by the natives "Forey-Foreeg." Egg creamy white. 2. CYPSELUS BALSTONI, sp. nov. S.W. interior Betsileo country, Madagascar. Called by the natives " Fearilsandro." Beak black; back, primaries, scapulars, tail, and belly very dark bronze-green, inclining to black, each feather more or less tipped with pale buff, these white tips being more distinct on the belly ; top of bead, throat, tertials, and secondaries pale dirty buff, palest on throat, tinged with pale bronze-green ; under the chin a series of small elongated shaft-spots ; under wing-coverts pale greyish buff, with very distinct elongated shaft-spots, tips nearly white; underside of primaries and tail nearly black ; under tail-coverts brownish, quills black ; legs, toes, and claws blackish brown. Length 6 inches; wing 6| inches, wing beyond tail 1| inch. Having carefully compared this Swift with a number of skins of Cypselus apus, I feel convinced that it is distinct from that species, and I have no hesitation in describing it under the above name. It differs in size and colour, by having the small elongated spots on the throat and on the under wing-coverts. I have much pleasure in naming this species after M r . R. J. Balston. 3. ATELORNIS PITTOIDES, Lafr. S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. Eggs creamy white, with a smooth surface, but not so highly polished as the egg of Coracias garrulus. |