( 381 ) 



NOTES ON THE BIRDS. 



[Corvus corax clarionensis siibsji. nov. 



Mr. Beck sent us oiii' adult male of the raven obtained on Clarion Island, 

 Revilla Gigcdos grouj). Although only this one example is before us, we do 

 not hesitate to give it a name, as it has a so much smaller bill than Cnrrns 

 corax simintux, its nearest ally, that we have no donbt it belongs to another 

 subspecies. The long hackles on the foreneck ajipear also to be more loose and 

 less pointed, but as the jdumage of our Clarion Island specimen is somewhat 

 worn, this may not be a good character. 



Bill at highest part only 23 mm. high ; length 64, greatest width at base 

 about 25 mm. Stiff bristles covering nostrils reaching to within 20 mm. from 

 tip of bill, wing 301 cm., metatarsus TO mm. 



'I'l/pe: Clarion 1, II. xii. I'JOn, No. lo3, K. H. Beck colL, S .'] 



Genus NKSOMIML'S. 



Nov. ZociL. VI, 1899, p. 142. 



We are more than ever convinced that the genus Nesomiiiius scarcely deserves 

 generic rank, as the characters which separate it from Mimus are very weak. The 

 series of nests and eggs of various species of Nesomimus now sent by Mr. R. H. 

 Beck confirm this view, as they closely resemble the nests and eggs of ^fimux. 

 Eggs of Mimus gilrug rostrntufi collected on Curacao by Hartert so closely resemble 

 some of those of Nesomimus melanotic that one might not separate them again if 

 they mixed together. 



Nesomimus macdonaldi Ridgw. 



Xov. ZooL YI, 18'J9, p. 143. 



Mr. Green sent two specimens in very abraded plumage, shot on Gardner, off 

 Hood Island, on November 1.5th, I90U. 



Nesomimus adamsi Ridgw. 



Nov. ZociL. VI, 1S90, p. 144.— Rothsch., BuU. B. 0. Clnh. XII, p. 47 (1902). 



Mr. Beck sent specimens of this bird in worn Iireediiig j)lnmage, shot in the 

 middle of March IDul. 



This bird was found commonly on t'hatham Island, from the shore up to the 

 sugar plantation. Mr. Beck observed (juite a number of young birds with spotted 

 undersides, which seemed to prove that the birds nested twice that year. 



The nests were placed from 8 to 20 ft. high in various kinds of trees. The 

 following nests are sent : — 



No. 768, 14. iii. 1001. In tree 12 ft. from the ground ; built on a foundation 

 of dry twigs, and principally composed of orchilla moss and dry weed and grass 

 stems, liiied with finer grass-stems. Four eggs. (E. Adams.) 



No. 771, 14. iii. 1901. In tree 12 ft. from the ground ; built in a similar way. 

 Two eggs. (R. H. Beck.) 



No. 776, 1.5. iii. 1901. In tree near top, l.j ft. high ; built in the same way. 

 Eggs four. (R. H. Beck.) 



