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Show 1869.] MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE BIRDS OF ANGOLA. 563 It is also rare on the west coast. St. Vincent's Gulf, South Anstralia (Mr. G. F. Angas), rare. 6. On the Birds of Angola.-Part I. By R. B. SHARPE. W i t h Notes by the Collector, J. J. M O N T E I R O . (Plate XLIII.) It will be, I am sure, welcome news to every ornithologist to hear that that most energetic and enterprising traveller, M r . Joachim J. Monteiro, is once more on the soil of Angola, and that he has already commenced the formation of a collection of the natural productions of this country. It is to be hoped that Mr. Monteiro's efforts will be crowned with as great success as were his former exertions on behalf of ornithology (cf. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 86, aud Ibis, 1862, p. 333); and, though we cannot expect to find so many striking novelties as those obtained by him during his last expedition, we may reasonably look forward to the discovery of many interesting facts connected with the geographical distribution of birds throughout the ^Ethiopian region. Our knowledge of the avifauna of Angola is still very meagre, so that every collection, however small, is sure to contribute something before unknown; and certainly the present consignment of M r. Monteiro is not behind-hand in this respect. Especial interest attaches to the migrations of European birds, a subject we really know nothing about; and it is for this reason that the study of African ornithology presents attractions to the student of European birds. Many European species migrate to Africa, the Sylviidee especially; and although the Sahara presents a barrier which stays the southward progress of many, there are several species which proceed the whole length of the continent as far as the Cape. Of these birds it is interesting to know the exact time and place of their occurrence ; and for the development of our knowledge of migration and geographical distribution careful collections like those made by Mr. Monteiro are a real assistance, and we can only wish that he m ay proceed with the same zeal and energy which have characterized his former efforts on behalf of science. While on the subject of Angolan ornithology, it may be as well to mention that the Royal Zoological Museum of Lisbon has recently received several large collections from Angola and Benguela from Signor Anchieta ; and many interesting novelties have thus been brought to light, all of which have been described by Professor Barboza du Bocage in the ' JornaF of the Lisbon Academy and in the 'Proceedings' of this Society. These papers of the learned Professor are amongst the most interesting of recent contributions to Ethiopian ornithology. Mr. Monteiro left England in November last, with the intention of procuring, if possible, a few birds in Prince's Island and St. Thomas, if the steamer stopped at these places long enough to enable PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1869, No. XXXVII. |