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Show 388 ' MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIROS FROM MADAGASCAR. [JlUie 9, olive-green, rather lighter on the under surface ; throat pure upper part of the breast and centre of the abdomen pale rufous, becoming lighter on the latter ; flanks olive-green ; hill dark horn-brown, nearly black on the upper mandible and on the basal half of the lower mandible; the tip of the latter and edge of the former pale yellowish white; legs dark horn-brown, claws light brown. Total length 6*3 inches ; of bill from front 06, from gape 0*88 ; wing 2*7 ; tail 2*5 ; tarsus 0*9. Female (1). Generally similar to the last, but somewhat duller and more greenish on the upper surface ; the head obscurely marked with dark brown, and the sienna of the head not well defined ; the lores and the spot behind the eye dirty white and indistinct; throat white tinged with yellow ; the rufous of the breast paler, less extended, and tbe middle of tbe abdomen yellowish olive. Total length 6*2 inches; of bill from front 0*6 ; wing 2*5 ; tail 2*45. Fam. NECTARINIIDCE. 4. NECTARINIA SOUIMANGA. Nectarinia souimanga (Gm.) ; Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 52 (1861) ; Roch and E. Newt. Ibis, 1862, p. 272 ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 162; E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 342; A. Newt. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 834; Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, p. 355; Schl. & Poll. Faune Madag. p. 70 (1868). Several specimens of this Sun-bird were in the collection. Fam. HIRUNDINIDEE. 5. PHEDINA MADAGASCARIENSIS. Phedina madagascariensis, Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 27 (1861). Hirundo borbonica, Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 68 (1868). " Nossi Vola, Oct. 19th and 28th, 1869. Native name Chiden Chiclen. Eyes brown. Three eggs. Local." Dr. Hartlaub (/. ci) separates the Madagascar Phedina from the true Ph. borbonica, on account of its being somewhat lighter-coloured, having a longer wing and tarsus, and also on account of its almost uniform white under tail-coverts. Professor Schlegel (I. c.) indorses Dr. Hartlaub's opinions to some extent, but observes that the difference of size mentioned by the worthy doctor was only accidental, but that the coloration of the Madagascar birds was somewhat lighter, and especially with regard to the whiter under tail-coverts. Mr. Crossley brought two specimens, both differing in extent of colour from a Mauritius specimen given me by Professor Newton. The Madagascar birds are certainly lighter in colour ; but, as regards size, they are, if any thing, smaller than the one from the Mauritius. I notice one difference, however, in the tail-coverts which seems to have escaped the attention of both Dr. Hartlaub and Professor Schlegel; this is that, in addition to the much whiter colour of the under tail- |