THE BIRDS OF THE NATUNA ISLANDS 



65 



Table 19. — Measurements of speciviens of Alcippornis brunneicauda epipolia 



• Measured in the flesh by the collector. 



'■ Type. 



The change of the generic name Alcippe to Alcippornis is fully 

 explained by the present writer in a previous article,^ but has been 

 objected to by Robinson and Kloss/ on the ground that the first 

 subsequent type designation of Alcippe (Gray, 1846*) is invalid 

 because he selected a species {Trichastoma affine Blyth) that does 

 not agree with the original diagnosis, although definitely included 

 in the genus when proposed. This seems, however, not to be a 

 tenable objection, since the International Code of Nomenclature 

 provides that subsequent designation of a type shall be regardless 

 of other considerations than that the species selected shall be 

 one of the original and definitely included species. We therefore 

 apparently can continue the use of the name Alcippornis for this 

 genus. With this view I understand that Mr. Kloss is now in accord. 



Likewise the discontinuance of the specific name (Alcippe) cinerea for 

 this species has been called in question, on the ground that a mistaken 

 identification of a species, resulting in a new combination of generic 

 and specific terms, is a new and valid designation for the species so 

 misidentified. This is, however, not in accord with current usage. 

 There may, however, be some doubt concerning the identity of 

 Hyloterpe brunneicauda Salvadori,^ which we have used for this 

 species in place of Alcippe cinerea, but the original description in- 

 dicates very strongly that this is the correct identification. The 

 brownish olivaceous back, grayish head, brown tail, fuscous bill, 

 and wing length of 72 mm. all agree with Alcippe cinerea, and Salvadori 

 remarks (1. c.) thathis bird is similar to Hyloterpe philomela ( = Muscitrea 

 grisola) but is smaller and has the tail more rufescent. In view of 

 this it seems better to continue this name for the species at least 



» Smithsonian Misc. Coll., vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 1, 2, Sept. 27, 1922. 



« Journ. Federated Malay States Mus., vol. 13, pt. 4, pp. 2, 3, Aug., 1927. 



* The genera of birds, vol. 1, p. 209, Dec, 1846. 



' Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Oeuova, ser. 1, vol. 14, p. 210, Apr. 22, 1879. (Ajer Mantcior, western Sumatra.) 



