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Show 1881.] BIRDS FROM SOCOTRA. 171 RHYNCHOSTRUTHUS SOCOTRANCS, sp. nov. Supra obsolete fuscus, maculis obscurioribus conspicue varius, pileo subrufescente, obscurius maculato; remigibus tertiariis in limbo externa dilute sulphureis ; tectricibus alarum majoribuspalU-diore flavo marginatis ; rectricibus, parte apicali excepta, inpogo-nio externa la?te flavo-Umbatis, duabus intermedins subconcoloribus, Umbo flavo vix conspicuo; remigibus majoribus fuscis; lor is nigricantibus; regione parotica late stramineo-pallescente; gutture pallida, fuscescenti vario ; pectore et abdomine in fundo sordide albido, obsolete fusco striolatis vel maculatis ; crisso et subcauda- Ubus immaculatis; subalaribus sordide favescenti-albidis, fusco variegatis; rostro plumbeo-nigricante, pedibus fuscis. Long. tota 5'7, ala? 3'3, cauda? 2*1, tarsi 0*7. Of this very curious new form of Sparrow four males are in the collection ; unfortunately no female. The thick Coccothraustine bill renders it easily distinguishable from all other species of the Passerine group. " O n the shrubs in the Goehel valley ; feeding on seeds of a species of Crotonr-L. B. B. 13. EMBERIZA SEPTEM-STRIATA (Riipp.). Emberiza tahapisi, Heuglin, Orn. N.A. ii. p. 665. One example, apparently of this species, in spirits. " Met with in several places, hopping about on the stones in the streams."-7 B B. 14. AMYDRUS BLYTHI, Scl. Amydrus blythi, Heuglin, Orn. N.A. ii. p. 525. Five males and six females of this fine species; hitherto only known from Somali-land. "Voice as fine as that of a Thrush. Scarce on the low grounds, and there usually in pairs, except where there are groves of fig-trees or tamarinds on the banks of the streams, as at Feraigeh on the south, and Ma-aber on the north. " C o m m o n on the high grounds in flocks, and there seen on the faces of the cliffs in which they nest. Nom. vulg. 'Shilhay.' "-- 7. B. B. 15. AMYDRUS FRATER, sp. nov. AZneo-niger, cauda subrolundata; rostro pro mole longiore quam in A. blythi; remigibus primariis cinnamomeo-rvfs, parte apicali nigra valde extensa, in rem. 1 et 2 vix diversa ab A. blythi, in rem. 3 et A multo minore et a?quali modo extensa. Long. tota 12-0, ala? 6*0, cauda? 5*5, tarsi \'A. The occurrence of two typical species of Amydrus in so small an island as Socotra is very curious; but there seems to be no doubt about the fact. The bronze-green gloss of the plumage of A. frater is never seen in the steel-blue of A. blythi; and still greater is the difference in the colouring of the primaries. In the first primary of A. frater the black apical portion occupies nearly the |