42 On the Species of the Genus Plotus. 



M. Oustalet, in reviewing the collections made in the same 

 region by M. Chantre (Ann. Sc. Nat. July 1882, art. 7), 

 describes the Antioch Plotus as a new species, under the name 

 of P. chantrei, and states that he differs from my conclusions, 

 asserting also that the Antioch bird has its affinities rather 

 with the Indian than with the African species. I was not a 

 little surprised at this expression of opinion, and also at the 

 omission by M. Oustalet of the one permanent character 

 whicb in all stages of plumage distinguishes the African 

 from the Indian bird, viz. the grey or rusty -brown band at 

 the termination of the primary wing-coverts, which forms a 

 conspicuous terminal bar on the wing. This is admirably 

 shown by Temminck (PL Col. 380) ; but Schlegel (Mus. des 

 Pays-Bas) is the only writer who, so far as I can ascertain, 

 has drawn attention to this as the one true specific distinction. 

 In all the Indian and Australian birds there is not the 

 slightest trace of this russet band, the whole wing being a rich 

 glossy black. The three points given in his diagnosis by 

 M. Oustalet to distinguish this new species are : — 1st. The 

 silky-white markings of the feathers on the side of the neck, 

 and the white periophthalmic line reaching to the forehead. 

 But both these characters are found in P. levaillanti in breed- 

 ing-plumage, and are well shown in Temminck's plate. 2nd. 

 The front of the neck white, hardly tinted with yellow. This, 

 again, is the character of the African bird in nuptial dress. 

 3rd. The silvery markings on the wings and back being 

 thicker and broader. This also varies with age, sex, and 

 season in both species. I have examined over sixty speci- 

 mens in the British Museum, and compared them with my 

 Antioch skin, and have come to the decided conclusion that 

 the Antioch bird is simply P. levaillanti in full nuptial dress. 

 In this I am confirmed by Mr. Sharpe, who kindly examined 

 the series with me. It is very difficult to find two specimens 

 in exactly identical plumage, and there is not one in the large 

 Museum series in such absolutely perfect nuptial dress as 

 my bird. 



I should have added that, besides the russet or brown 

 wing-bar, the African and Syrian species has also the inner 



