86 Mr. II. E. Dresser's Notes on 



153. Salicaria sphenura, SevertzoflP, pp. 66, 128. 

 Horizontal range. Breeds in district III. 



Vertical range. Is rare in summer in district I, and breeds 

 in districts 2 and 3. 



At page 128 SevertzofiF writes respecting this bird as fol- 

 lows : — " The tail is not only rounded, but even quite sharp, 

 although the central rcctrices are only 3'" longer than the 

 outer ones ; for all the feathers are sharpened towards the tip 

 in fresh plumage. The bill is very broad, like that of a Fly- 

 catcher. 3rd quill longest, 2 = 6, Istshorter than the coverts, 

 or5>2>6. Colour as in No. 147; but the breast is light 

 yellow, not yellowish brown, and it has no superciliary stripe. 

 Total length 6"-6" 4'", extent 8"-8" 4'", wing 2" 6'", tail 2" 2\"', 

 tarsus 9'", middle toe 5'", culmen A^'", breadth of bill at nos- 

 tril lV"-2"', height 1"'. It inhabits woods along the Syr 

 Darja, but is commoner in the bush and grass-covered banks 

 of its tributaries to the altitude of 1000-4000 feet." 



In concluding his remarks on the above birds (Nos. 147- 

 153 inclusive). Dr. Scvertzoff states that he believes them all 

 to be forms of Acrocephalus streperus, and only deserving of 

 subspecific rank, but that he deems it best to describe each 

 form under a separate name. In this I quite agree, except 

 that I think that at least Acrocephalus palustris and A. du- 

 metorwn should be looked on as distinct species. The same 

 view may be taken of the following species, included under 

 Nos. 154^160 inclusive, which appear to be all forms oi Hy- 

 polais caligata and H. rama; and SevertzofF also informs me 

 that this is the case ; but still I have deemed it advisable to 

 give his description of each form. In a note. Dr. Severtzoflf 

 says that in all probability Nos. 154, 155, 156, and 157 

 are all identical with Hypolais rama, Nos. 158, 159, and 

 160 being referable to H. caligata, but that, before he can 

 positively state this to be the case, it will be necessary to make 

 a critical comparison of his types. 



154. Salicaria gracilis, Severtzoff, pp. 66, 130. 

 Horizontal range. Breeds in district III. 

 Vertical range. Breeds in district 1. 



