Mr. R. Swinhoe on the Ornithology of Formosa. 361 



and they are united to the typical forms by other Spur-winged 

 Plovers."— J. H. G.] 



Gallinula pumila, Sclater. South African Lesser Water- 

 hen. 



All I can ascertain of Gallinula pumila is that the last speci- 

 men sent was shot at the Umschali Lakes, not many miles this 

 side the Zulu border, and within three or four miles of the coast. 

 The irides were light red, the bill greenish yellow, frontal shield 

 bright red, tarsi and feet drab. 



[My friend Mr. C. J. Andersson, to whom I am indebted for 

 a specimen of this rare Gallinule, collected by him in Damara- 

 land, informs me that " it is found sparingly on the Okavango 

 River, is very shy, and lives in thick reeds, like all the rest of 

 the family ; its food also is very similar." 



The typical specimen of this Gallinule, which was figured in the 

 *Ibis^ for 1859, and which is preserved in the British Museum, 

 is apparently not quite adult, the specimens which I have sub- 

 sequently received from Mr. Andersson and Mr. Ayres being 

 decidedly darker, and also more olivaceous in their colouring. — 

 J. H. G.] 



XXIX. — Descriptions of four new Species of Formosan Birds; 

 with further Notes on the Ornithology of the Island. By 

 Robert Swinhoe. 



Kittacincla auricularis, sp. nov. Pileo alis caudaque seneo-nigris : 

 hujus rectricibus ad apicem, illarum 3, 4, 5, et 6 remigi- 

 bus externe cinereis : dorso et scapularibus cum pectore 

 griseo-fuscis : uropygio partibusque iuferioribus castaneis, 

 ventre tamen dilutiore, axillaribus fere albis : rostro nigro : 

 pedibus pallide carneis. Ante oculos et circa caput utrinque 

 vitta currit alba usque etiam ad auriculares, quae sunt valde 

 protractse, unde est extractum nomen specificale. Long, 

 tota 8*7 poll.; alse 4; caudse 4*5 ; tarsi 1"2. 



Long, fibrous, white auriculars about one inch in length. 

 Quills of the wing graduated, the sixth being the longest. Tail 

 much graduated, the feathers broad, ending obtusely with mu- 

 cronate tips; claws well curved for perching; hind toe strong, 



VOL. VI. 2 B 



