228 Mr. E. L. Layard on South- African Ornithology. 



hitherto deemed distinct. The observations of M, Verreaux, 

 which accord precisely with my own arrived at independently, 

 show that, with regard to South-African species, the nearer you 

 approach the equator the brighter and smaller they become; as 

 you approach the southern or colder limit, larger and more ro- 

 bust forms appear, clothed in duller colours. Birds, therefore, 

 at the opposite ends of the chain, were it not for the intervening 

 links, would be (and have been) separated into distinct species. 

 In some places, however, owing perhaps to partial migrations, 

 small and large races mingle. Again, on the sandy grey soil of 

 certain parts, several species, especially among the Larks and 

 Tit-larks, assume a grey phase of colouring, while on the red 

 Karroo soils a rufous tint prevails in the same birds ; this has 

 likewise led to the manufacture of new species. 



Another fact has been arrived at by the comparison of M. 

 Verreaux's observations with my own. Species which in his 

 time (1818-40) were common and abundant, even in the 

 neighbourhood of Cape Town, both of sea-fowl and land-birds, 

 have now entirely disappeared, or become very scarce, and have 

 been replaced by others heretofore unknown in the locality. 



In illustration of what I have previously stated, I may men- 

 tion that we have proved most conclusively that Telephoaus 

 trivirgatus, Smith (Zool. S. Afr. pi. 94), is only the small tropical 

 race of T. erytlirupterus, Shaw, \\h\Q\\=^T. cucullatus, Tcmm., 

 the southern and northern (Algerine) races being perfectly 

 identical ! 



Again, Anthus cinnamomeus, Riipp. Neue Wirb. p. 103, 

 A. sordidus, Riipp., /. c, t. 39. f. 1, A. gouldi, Fraser, P. Z. S., 

 1843, p. 27, A. leucophrys, Vieill., Gal. Ois. p. 262, Alauda 

 erythronotus, Steph. Gen. Zool. vol. xiv. p. 24 (1826), and 

 Alauda pyrrhonotha, Vieill. (1816), founded on Le Vaillant^s 

 plate, 197, ' L'alouette ^ dos roux ' (see also ray 'Birds of 

 S. Africa,^ pp. 122 and 212), are identical, being founded on 

 birds procured from different parts of Africa, varying in size, 

 brightness of coloration, and sex. 



A very large series of these birds, possessed by Mr. Sharpe 

 and myself, unmistakably proves this, Anthus {Alauda) pyrrho- 

 nnthus, Vieillot, being the oldest name, must take precedence. 



