OCR Text |
Show 400 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MADAGASCAR. [June 9, Roch & E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 172; E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. Rhyncheea varieyata, Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 131 (1868). One specimen. 37. CORETHRURA INSULARIS, sp. n. $ . Supra nigra, pallide rufo striata : scapularibus, tectricibus alarum, dorso imo uropygioque rufo fasciolatis et irregulariter vermiculatis: remigibus saturate brunneis, secundariis sed primariis haud vermiculatis: cauda saturate castanea, nigro fasciata : loris pallide ochraceis : genis ochraceis, maculatis: gutture toto pallide ochraceo, immaculato : pectore superiore rufescenti-ochraceo, nigro et (in pectore medio) variegato: corpore reliquo inferiore nigro, pallide ochraceo transfasciato. Long. tot. 6'5 poll., alee 285, rostri a fronte " Nossi Vola. Eyes dark. Contents of stomach insects." The present bird seems to be the female of an undescribed species of Corethrura; and it is very interesting to find a species of this truly African form in the island of Madagascar. Mr. G. R. Gray has drawn my attention to the fact that Messrs. Schlegel and Pollen have included Crex jardinei in their work (Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 161) as occurring in Madagascar; but I do not see on what authority. I do not for a moment believe the present bird will belong to any of the South-African species*. Fam. RALLIDAE. 38. BIENSIS MADAGASCARIENSIS. Biensis madagascariensis (Verr.); Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 79 (1861) ; S. Roch & E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 173 ; A. Newt. P. Z. S. 1865, p. 837. Rallus madagascariensis, Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. "Nossi Vola, October 19th, 1870." 39. RALLUS BERNIERI. Rallus gularis, Cuv.; Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 134 (1868). Rougetius bernieri, Bp.; Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 79 (1861); Scl. P." Z. S. 1863, p. 165; E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 458; A. Newt. P.Z.S. 1865, p. 837. Rallus bernieri, Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. Three or four specimens were sent, in one of which the rufous of the neck is spreading over (or, perhaps, disappearing from) the white throat. This stage of plumage has not yet been accounted for. * M . Jules Verreaux, who has seen tbe specimen since the description was written, believes that it is the Corethrura cinnamomea (Less.), from West Africa (Hartl. Orn. Westafr. p. 242); but, with all due deference to so good an authority, I still believe that the Madagascar bird will, on the comparison of specimens, prove distinct. |