1862.] 185 



may be recognized by its lengthened and strong bill, which is even stronger than 

 that of Pcuccea Bachmanii. In the general character of its form it approaches 

 E. Bairdii, but is colored differently, is more robust and has the bill much larger. 



3. Spermestes nigriceps^ nobis. 



Form. Small, -with the bill rather large ; wing with the second quill slightly 

 longest ; tail short, but wide and with the feathers broad. 



Dimensions. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 3i 

 inches, wing If, tail 1^ inches. 



Colors. 5 Head entirely black, which color is extended to the breast and 

 sides of the body, on the latter (the sides) the black plumage is tipped with 

 white. Middle of the abdominal region and under tail coverts white. 



Back and wing coverts bright reddish chestnut, primary quills black with 

 regularly disposed minute spots of white on their outer webs, exposed portion 

 of secondaries reddish chestnut, rump black with minute white spots, tail black. 



Bill and feet light colored (in skin.) 



5, , or ^ juv. Entire plumage above brownish tinged with chestnut on the 

 back, below soiled yellowish or pale whitish brown, with a few black feathers 

 on the throat ; primaries black edged with white ; tail brownish black. 



Hab. Zanzibar. 



Obs. Three specimens of this pretty species belong to the Rivoli collection, 

 and are marked as from Zanzibar. It is similar to no other species of Spermestes 

 with which I am acquainted, but is marked with white spots on the wings like 

 S. poensis, (Frazer). 



4. Spermestes fuscans, nobis. 



Form. Small but robust, and with the bill very strong, wing with the first, 

 second and third quills nearly equal, tail rather long, with the central feathers 

 longest. 



Dimensions. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 3| inches, 

 wing 2, tail 2 inches. 



Colors. Entire plumage dark chocolate brown, deeper on the throat and around 

 the base of the bill. Inner webs of quills paler and nearly white. Bill horn 

 color. , 



Hab. Borneo. 



Obs. I have not succeeded in finding a description of this little bird, though 

 specimens in the collection of the Academy have been labelled in Europe, " F. 

 nigerrima,'^ and others " ^. aterrima.''^ It is not nearly related to any species 

 known to me, and may be distinguished from all others by its plain uniform 

 plumage. 



5. Ephialtes elegans^ nobis. 



Form. A typical species, bill rather small, wings with the third and fourth 

 quills longest and nearly equal, tail rather short. 



Dimensions. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 8 J to 9 

 inches, wing 6f, tail 3J inches. 



Colors. Feathers of the ear tufts bright yellowish rufous, every feather mark- 

 ed longitudinally and with irregular transverse bands, and minute points of black, 

 which color is almost confined to the outer webs. Face whitish, every feather 

 with irregular lines and points of brown. 



Entire plumage above pale umber brown, every feather with an obscure longi- 

 tudinal stripe of brownish black and with very numerous irregular narrow lines 

 and points of the same color. Plumage of the neck behind with white spots ob- 

 scurely indicating a collar. 



Inferior surface of the body handsomely mottled with white, light fulvous and 

 brownish black ; the former being the ground color and every feather longitudi- 

 nally striped, and with numerous narrow transverse lines and points of the latter, 

 these stripes most strongly marked on the breast, and least distinct on the 

 abdomen and inferior tail-coverts. Flanks light fulvous ; tarsi reddish, with ir- 

 regular lines and spots of brown. "Wings and tail umber brown, the former with 



