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Show 344 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON THE BIRDS OF LABUAN. [Apr. 1, of the collections I have examined, nor did it occur in Mr. Treacher's boxes. 90. ANTHUS GUSTAVI, Swinhoe. Mr. Treacher gives the name as " Bras bras katan." Family FRINGILLIDJE. 91. P A D D A ORYZIVORA (L.). Padda oryzivora, Salvad. t. c. p. 263. Governor Ussher observes :-" This bird was introduced to the island by Mr. Low ; it has thriven, and is now in prodigious numbers." 92. MUNIA ATRICAPILLA (V.). 3Iunia atricapilla, Salvad. t. c. p. 265. Amadina sinensis, Motl. & Dillw. t. c. p. 25, pi. vi. Several specimens sent by all three collectors. This species was introduced by Mr. Low, who forwards a number of eggs, which are dull white like those of the following species, from which thev are not to be distinguished. 93. MUNIA FUSCANS (Cass.). Munia fuscans, Salvad. t. c. p. 268. Along with the eggs of this little Finch, Mr. Low sends a pair of the birds, which he calls the "Black Sparrow." He says:-"This bird, formerly the only one of the Sparrows in Labuan, is now rapidly disappearing before the Black-headed Brown Sparrow (31unia atricapilla) and the Java Sparrow, both introduced birds." The eggs are dull, lustreless, white; axis 0*6, diam. 0*45. Family HIRUNDINID^E. 94. H I R U N D O GUTTURALIS, Scop. Hirundo gutturalis, Salvad. t. c. p. 125. Native name " Layang layang kuckie." This species is represented by a single adult specimen in Mr. Treacher's collection ; and the native name is given on his authority. From the fact of its having the same vernacular title as the common Swallow of Labuan, II. javanica, it is evident that the natives do not recognize the difference between the two species ; yet the latter is doubtless the resident Swallow, while the present species will prove in all probability to be only a passing migrant. This is the same bird which I called Hirundo rustica, L., in my paper on Dr. Steere's Philippine collection (Tr. Linn. Soc. new series, i. p. 328). It is, as Count Salvadori remarks, very doubtfully distinct from the Common Swallow of Europe, but is apparently smaller, and I have never seen an adult male with the rufous breast of II. rustica. This is the first time that I have seen the species in any collection from N.W. Borneo; but Dr. Beccari procured it in Sarawak. |