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Show 1869.] MR. D. G. ELLIOT ON THE GENUS PELECANUS. 575 subgenus for the remaining species; while P. minor of Riippell is deemed a variety of onocrotalus, and mitratus of Lichtenstein a synonym of rufescens-this last a serious error, as the two may not even be included in the same group. This error, however, is repeated again hy javanicus of Horsfield being given as a synonym of philippensis. The two species mitratus (or minor, as it should be called) and javanicus belong to that group which have the feathers of the forehead terminating in a long point at the base of the upper mandible, while in rufescens these form a concave line at the base of the culmen. This author appears to have arranged his synonymy without having examined the specimens, which is generally considered rather necessary when one is defining species. The second genus is Cyrtopelicanus, Reich., including the single species erythrorhynchus-although Latham's name is here employed, and the synonymy is very much mixed up with that properly belonging to molinee of Gray ; for although we may not exactly be able to determine what thagus of Molina is referable to, it is very certain that it does not belong to the White Pelican of North A-Ymerica. The remaining species, fuscus and thagus (Molina), are included in Wagler's genus Onocrotalus, Brisson's genus of the same name, established nearly one hundred years previous, being ignored. These genera are made to comprise the subfamily Pele-canince, which, with Sulinee, constitutes his family Pelecanidee, tribe Totipalmi, of the order Gaviae. (1864.) Jerdon, 'Birds of India.' In this valuable work the species of Pelicans inhabiting India are given :-P. onocrotalus; P. mitratus, which is minor, Riippell; P. javanicus, which, being described as possessing an occipital crest, which true javanicus never has, and also having the frontal feathers truncated and not pointed, would appear to be referable to P. rufescens; and, finally, P. philippensis, which is young rufescens. (1867.) Blyth, in the * Ibis.' In his commentary on Dr. Jerdon's ' Birds of India,' this author here reviews the Pelicans enumerated in that work. He refers mitratus to onocrotalus as identical, or only a race. The P. onocrotalus of Jerdon is mentioned as never having any occipital crest, nor any tumidity upon the forehead, which does not agree with onocrotalus of Europe, which, during the breeding-season, has both of these. P. javanicus is considered a race of onocrotalus ; and a fourth race, a " similar diminutive of P. mitratus," is deemed to be the Onocrotalus minor of Riippell. Of the P. crispus type, P. rufescens is acknowledged, and philippensis doubtfully separated from it. (1868.) Sclater, ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society.' A list of the known species is here given, with plates of two, fuscus and rufescens, juv.: javanicus, Jerdon, is referred to mitratus, Lichtenstein ; and onocrotalus, Jerdon, to javanicus, Horsfield. An analytical table is appended at the end of the article. No synonymy is given, the article being intended more as a list of the species living in the gardens of the Society than as a monograph of the genus. |
