178 Mr. Blyth's Commentary 



994. Anous tenuirostris of my Catalogue is, according to 

 Prof. Blasius (J. f. 0. 1866, p. 83), A. stolidus\ This is a 

 strange mistake. I had both species from the Bay of Bengal, 

 far too distinct to be confounded one with the other {cf. Ibis, 

 1864, p. 393). 



995. Rhynchops albicollis. 



I found the remains of small fishes in the stomach of one 

 which I examined a little before my departure from Calcutta, 

 Dr. Jerdon having drawn my attention to the circumstance that 

 he could never make out what these birds had fed on. I exa- 

 mined three specimens, in one of which small fish-bones were 

 distinctly traceable. It is not often brought to the Calcutta 

 bazar. 



996. Phaeton ^ethereus, Linn.; Vieill. Gal. des Ois. 

 pi. 279. 



I kept a bird of this species for some time alive in an aviary. 

 It was in the barred first plumage ; and I observed it to mani- 

 fest that propensity for clambering (propping itself up by the 

 stiff tail-feathers) which is evinced also by young Cormorants 

 and Gannets. It is the ordinary species of Tropic-bird in the 

 Bay of Bengal. 



998. SuLA FIBER, Linn. -, S. sinicadvena, Svvinhoe, Ibis, 1865, 

 p. 109. 



Comparing Mr. Swinhoe's description with Mr. Gould's figure, 

 I can perceive no distinction. 



1003. Pelecanus mitratus, Lichst. ; PI. Enl. 87. 



The Indian Pelicans are referable to two subgroups, viz. : — 

 the P. onocrotalus type, with a ruby eye in the adult and the fea- 

 thered portion of the forehead contracted and advancing to a 

 median point in front ; and the P. crispus type, with a white 

 iris in the adult and the feathered portion of the forehead 

 much broader and advancing forwards towards each nostril (or 

 to where the nares should be), the anterior border being thus 

 somewhat concave or cresceutic. 



All of the first are merged under P. onocrotalus by Professor 

 Schlegel ; but no one acquainted with the living birds could 



