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Show 246 MESSRS. SHARPE AND DRESSER [Api*. 28, steel-blue, but the head all brown, except a few blue feathers coming on the side; first primaries unmoulted, as also are some of the secondaries and tail-feathers ; the throat almost entirely rufous, except the chin, which still remains somewhat whitish ; breast-band becoming distinct, a few rufous feathers intermixed, washed with deep steel-blue; rest of the under surface of the body deep buff, especially on the under wing- and tail-coverts, which are almost chestnut. The quills and tail are too much abraded to give satisfactory measurements. No. 6. (Male, shot at the Knysna by the late Mr. C. J. Andersson on the 2nd of January, 1866; mus. R. B. S.) Apparently a bird of the previous year putting on its full spring plumage, as it has a trace of the swollen yellow skin at the gape; upper plumage very bright steel-blue, and the red forehead well marked ; no trace of white on the throat, and the breast-band dark steel-blue with red feathers intermixed; under surface of the body rich buff, especially dark on the under wing- and tail-coverts ; the quills and tail abraded and not thoroughly moulted, though the new feathers are coming rapidly. No. 7. (Sent from the Cape Colony by Mr. E. L. Layard; mus. R. B. S.) Apparently about the same age as the last specimen, but the head brownish, only just beginning to assume the steel-blue appearance, the rest of the upper surface very bright steel-blue; frontlet distinctly marked but very narrow ; throat and breast-band as in the last specimen, but the under surface of the body white, with a faint buff tinge on the under wing- and tail-coverts; quills and tail only partially moulted, much worn. Nos. 8 and 9. (Male and female, shot at Cookham, in Berkshire, by Mr. J. Ford, on the 19th of April, 1869; mus. R. B. S.) Above most brilliant steel-blue; quills and tail washed with greenish steel-blue ; forehead and throat deep chestnut; band on the breast steel-blue ; under surface deep buff, particularly on the under wing- and tail-coverts. Total length 8 inches; wing 5*1 ; tail to tip of outer feather 4*5. The female is somewhat smaller, the frontlet and throat not quite so deep, the belly white, and the tail shorter, with the spots on the latter smaller. Total length 7 inches; wing 4'9; tail 3 7. No. 10. (Female, fully moulted, obtained in Natal by Mr. Ayres; mus. H. B. Tristram.) Similar to No. 9 ( $ ), excepting that the head is duller, the feathers of the crown being slightly intermixed with brown, and the frontlet and throat not of such a deep rufous colour. No. 11. (Male, shot at Tiberias on the 27th of February, 1864, by Mr. Tristram.) Differs in no way whatsoever from No. 8 (cS )• From the examination of these specimens the following conclusions are derived ; and we earnestly beg our ornithological readers to assist us in the further elucidation of this most complicated question ; but we must remark that it will be necessary to have a large series of carefully authenticated specimens before the subject can be approached. W e have at the present moment a series of forty-five skins lying before us from all portions of the globe where Hirundo rustica is found. |
