MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 293 



Upclier's Warbler — Hi/polais languida. Plentiful, breeding everywhere 

 on both sides of river. The note against Scotocerca inquieta, the 

 Streaked Scrub- Warbler refers rightly to this bird. 



The Streaked Scrub-Warbler — Scotocerca inquieta. This bird is not to be 

 found at Fao, as might be expected, the situation is unsuited to its 

 habits. This was an unfortunate error, which crept into my notes 

 by mistake. 



Finsch's Grey Shrike — Lanius fallax. I believe this was wrongly 

 identified and was corrected later to L. assimilis ? by Dr. Bowdler 

 Sharpe. 



The Common Starling — Sturnus vulgaris. Starlings are to be seen in 

 flights in the neighbourhood of Fao during the winter months November 

 to February, some years more plentiful than at others. All that I shot 

 were identified as S. vulgaris, but might turn out to be »S'. vulgaris 

 caucasicus. 



Rose-coloured Starling — Pastor rosetis. Only noticed in brown plumage. 



Oimiming's Red-rumped Wheatear — S. cummingi. I believe I identified 

 this as S. chrysopygia, but Dr. Bowdler Sharpe found it to be a new- 

 species and named it after me. 



This is the only specmien obtained by me, whether the red-tailed chats 

 seen, occasionally in the neighbourhood of Fao belong to this or to 

 S. chrysopygia I cannot say. 

 Dr. Bowdler Sharpe asked me to collect chats for him and I sent 

 him several skins of different species and it was from among these 

 he identified the present bird. He unfortunately forgot to send me 

 a description of the bird or an illustration of it, and my note given 

 against this does not rightly apply to it. 



Syrian Blackbird — Turdus merula syriacus. This was the only one seen 

 or secured by me. 



Spanish Sparrow — Passer hispaniolensis. To be found at Fao— not very 

 plentifully — associating with the Common Sparrow P. domesticus in 

 winter and early spring. 



Red-headed Bunting — Emberiza luteola. The only bird seen or secured 

 by me. 



Lesser Short- toed Lark — Calandrella viinor. The two mentioned were 

 identified by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe. See notes in the Ibis, 189i. 



The Short- toed Lark — Calandrella brachydactyla. Also identified by Dr. 

 Bowdler Sharpe. See Ibis, 1891. 



The Pale-brown Swift — Cypselus murinus. Identified by Dr. Bowdler 

 Sharpe as Cyprellus pallidus (Ibis, January 1891). Only one nest 

 found containing eggs and taken by my collector. 



Indian Roller — Coracias garrula. This is not infrequently seen above 

 Fao on both sides of river, and breeds in holes in the date palms, or 

 other trees. One yoving one was brought to me from Dora, about l-") 

 miles above Fao, which I reared" on young frogs and small fish, with a 

 little raw meat occasionally, it fully matured and became quite 

 tame flying about the station and coming regularly for its meals. 



Common Indian Bee-eater — Merops viridis. Only once seen at Fao, after 

 a severe storm, no specimens secured. 



Barn Owl — Stri.v flammea. These birds bred in the loft in the old tele- 

 graph wooden buildings. Fairly plentiful during spring and summer 

 in suitable localities. 



Little Brown Dove — 5. cambayemis. This is the only specimen secured 

 during a severe storm ; shot by my collector. This seems a good deal 

 out of the way to come across this bird, and I have often wondered 

 whether it might not have been a caged bird got loose. 



