36 Mr. A. Hume on Indian Ornithuloy ij . 



its primrose-coloured axillaries. In reply, he remarks, " This 

 Anthus appears to be ^. rufigularis [this is Brehm's name 

 for cervinus']. I have received already many similar speci- 

 mens from India, and others from the Amoor, which do not 

 differ in any respect from European or Algerian ones." I 

 think that the question of the distinctness of A. cervinus and 

 A. rosaceus requires reconsideration. 



t605 bis. Anthus pratensis. 



Although I felt little doubts that the specimens I had pro- 

 cured belonged to this species, I sent one for comparison with 

 European specimens to M. Verreaux, who says, " In this bird, 

 as in many others received from warm climates, there appears 

 to have been some slight modification in tint; but it is im- 

 possible to consider it distinct from Anthus pratensis. In- 

 dependent of climatal changes, you must be aware that this class 

 of bird is subject to material variations in plumage according 

 to season and age." 



t605 ter. Anthus spinoletta, Lmn. ; A. aquaticus, 

 Bechst. PI. Enl. 661, 2. 



Two specimens of this species (the one sent me from Mooltan, 

 where it was killed in February by Capt. Marshall, and the 

 other obtained by me from Kotegurh, in the Himalayas, in 

 December) were submitted by me to M. Verreaux. This gen- 

 tleman says that I have correctly identified this species, and 

 remarks that he has long known of the occurrence of this 

 species in India. No English writer, however, had, I believe, 

 previously recorded its existence here. It is purely a cold- 

 weather visitant with us. 



t695 bis. Ploceus megabhynchus?*, nob,, vide Ibis, 

 1869, p. 356. 



With regard to this supposed species M. Verreaux remarks, 



* Ploceus mefiarhynchns, sp. nov. ? 



Dimensions. Length 6-2 ; wing 2-9o ; tail 2-3 ; bill at front 0-7, from 

 gape 0-84, height at front 0'24; tarsus OOO, mid toe and claw 1-0, hind 

 toe and claw 078. 



Description. Legs, feet, and claws fleshy brown : bill pinkish brown, 

 whitisli on lower surface of under mandibh^. 



Phnnatjc. (Winter I'Ikiiukjc) Luics rufescent : liuiul. cheeks, ear- 



