272 Messrs. S. Roch and E. Newton on Birds 



17. Merops superciliosus, Linn.; Hartl. p. 31. 



A species of Bee-eater, apparently the same, was frequently 

 observed on the coast. 



18. Nectarinia angladiana, Shaw ; Hartl. p. 34. " Schon- 

 wee." 



First observed at Manambonitra, on the 7th of October. Its 

 chirp is exactly like a Tree Sparrow^s, and when first heard it 

 was taken for a bird of that genus ; its song is moderate. 



19. Nectarinia souimanga (Gmelin) ; Hartl. p. 34. 



The native name is the same as that for the preceding. The 

 song is strong, loud, and very like a Willow Wren's. We ob- 

 served it everywhere between Tamatave and Ankera Madinika, 

 where we left the forest. 



" On October 31st, near Ranomafana, I watched a hen bird 

 of this species building for some time. The nest, which was an 

 open one, was placed on a low bush near the ground, and 

 much exposed. It was nearly completed. Outside it was built of 

 coarse grass and decayed leaves, untidily put together ; inside it 

 was lined with the down of some grass or reed.'' — E. N. 



20. Drymceca MADAGASCARiENSis, Hartl. p. 35. "Tec-tec." 

 Common from the coast up to the beginning of the forest. 



It inhabits the dry upland as well as the swamps. Its only note 

 or song that we heard was a harsh " tick-tick," uttered when 

 flying. 



21. Pratincola sybilla (Linn.) ; Hartl. p. 38. 



We saw this species first at Ranomafana, and from thence up 

 to the Hovah country. We did not observe it on the coast, 

 which is probably too hot. 



" On the 25th of October, on our return journey when crossing 

 the plain of Mooramanga, I found a nest of this species in some 

 long grass in a swamp ; both the nest and four eggs were in 

 every respect similar to those of the common European species. 

 Unfortunately the latter were just ready to hatch, and our rapid 

 travelling prevented me from attending to them immediately ; 

 and when I had time afterwards, I found that they had all 

 burst, and the shells were so rotten that it was impossible to 

 preserve them." — E. N. 



