Letters, Extracts from Corresjjondence, Notices, ^'c. 195 



With reference to our surprise that Podiceps auritus should 

 have been found breeding at the Lake of Tamieh in Faguin, 

 Egypt, as expressed in our last Number ('Ibis/ 1862, p. 81), 

 Mr. Gurney reminds us that this bird breeds in Algeria (' Ibis,' 

 1860, p. 159) and in Epirus {ibid. p. 349), and that " another 

 confirmation of its being a southern species is the fact of its 

 being an extremely rare species in this country, whilst its northern 

 congener, P. coimutus, is one of our common English visitors." 



By the latest tidings which have been received from Messrs. 

 Salvin and Frederick Godman, their explorations in Central 

 America seem to be progressing prosperously. They did not, 

 however, get away from Dueiias until the middle of December. 

 Previously to leaving, they made a successful ascent to the sum- 

 mit of the Volcan di Fuego, and Mr. Salvin was twice able to 

 reach the peak from which the fire proceeds. The collections 

 they have made seem far to surpass any formed previously by 

 Mr. Salvin at Duenas. Between 700 and 800 bird-skins, besides 

 mammalia and reptiles, and about 1300 butterflies, with a con- 

 siderable quantity of botanical specimens, are, we understand, 

 already on their way home. Affairs in Guatemala are unfortu- 

 nately in rather a critical position just at present, and our 

 friends have had to abandon their projected journey through 

 Costa Rica. However they were going shortly in quest of larger 

 game — Pumas and Tapirs — into the mountains of Santa Cruz, 

 and after that into Vera Paz for a raid to the northward. 



We have not had many ornithological particulars from 

 Messrs. Salvin and Godman of late ; but it would appear that 

 they had obtained several specimens of Oreophasis derbianus 

 among other 'Turkeys,' while Quezals [Pharomacrus mocinno) were 

 brought in almost every day, and Gallinago wilsoni seems to have 

 occasionally afforded very good sport. On the Volcan di Fuego, at 

 the time of Mr. Salvin's first ascent, only sixteen species of birds 

 were observed, of which some, such as Junco cinereus and Cer- 

 thia mexicana, are peculiar to such heights. On the second ex- 

 pedition Mr. Salvin met with one fresh Mniotilta. His last 

 letter was dated " Guatemala, January 2nd, 1862.^' 



