255 Journal of Travel and Natural History 



and four species of Cursorius ; two of Glareola ; five of lapwing ; 

 the universal stone-plover (Squatarola helvetica) ; eight plovers ; 

 one oyster-catcher ; the cosmopolitan turnstone ; three cranes ; 

 sixteen of heron and bittern, with the night-heron ; the Scopus ; 

 one spoonbill ; four storks; one adjutant-stork; the Xenorhynchus 

 senegalensis, and Anastomus laminigerus ; five species of ibis ; 

 twenty Scolopacid^, of which two only are foreign to Europe— the 

 sole South African snipe (Gallinago asquatorialis), and the so-called 

 painted snipe (Rhynchsea capensis) which is likewise common in 

 southern Asia ; two species of Parra (or rather of Metopidius) ; 

 and sixteen Rallidee, to which the Podica should undoubtedly be 

 added. 



Of Anatid^e, two species of flamingo are recognized ; and fifteen 

 of geese and ducks of various genera, most of the species being 

 pecuHarly African. Next follow thirteen petrels, and five albatrosses ; 

 two skuas, and only two gulls ; six terns, and the very remarkable 

 Dromas ardeola which is believed to be immediately related to 

 certain of the terns, notwithstanding its grallatorial proportions. 

 Last in order of succession come three grebes, one penguin only 

 (Spheniscus demersus), one Plotus, one Sula, three cormorants, 

 and two pelicans. Among the land-birds we have only cited the 

 more prominent and characteristic genera ; and the thanks of the 

 naturalist community are due to Mr Layard for the great pains 

 which he has taken in reducing to something like order and cer- 

 tainty a great deal of heterogenous material abounding in mis- 

 statements and redundancies, which required that the whole 

 subject should be worked anew with the zeal, intelligence, and 

 local knowledge which have enabled him to accomplish his some- 

 what arduous undertaking to so considerably satisfactory an 

 extent. E. Blvth. 



Note. — Long since the foregoing article was written, the first part of an elaborate 

 analysis of Mr Layard's " Birds of South Africa," from the pen of J. H. Gurney, 

 Esq. (who has long devoted great attention to the avi-fauna of South Africa), 

 has appeared in the "Ibis" for April of the present year. Mr Gurney's ex- 

 cellent contribution, however, does not partake of the character of a review, so 

 that there is no occasion to suppress the present communication. He has added 

 several species to the list of birds obtained within Mr Layard's prescribed 

 limits. — Ed. 



