172 Mr. J, Cordeaux on the Heligoland 



This species is remarkable in this section of the green 

 Humming-birds by its extremely slender pointed outer rec- 

 trices. It is much larger than its relatives P. alicice and P. 

 poortmanif though in colour it is similar to the latter. It is 

 very rare in collections — the type in the Museum Heineanum, 

 and two or three others, being all that have been sent to 

 Europe. 



The specimens examined are : — 



Merida 1 [Goering), Ocana, Columbia, 1 {Wyatt), Mus. 

 S. &G. 



X. — Notes on the Birds of Heligoland in Mr. Gdtke's 

 Collection. By John Cordeaux. 



Having recently paid a short visit to the island of Heligo- 

 land, during which I had an opportunity of inspecting the 

 collection of birds formed by Mr. H. Gatke, and knowing the 

 great interest that has always been taken by ornithologists in 

 every thing relating to the avifauna of this wonderful little 

 spot of land, I submit the following notes to the readers of 

 ' The Ibis,' trusting that they may not be without interest. 

 1 can only regret that limited time, as well as a limited 

 knowledge of European ornithology, prevented me doing full 

 justice to this remarkable and unique collection. 



In 'Naumannia' for 1858 (p. 303), the late Professor 

 Blasius gave an account of Mr. Gatke's most noteworthy cap- 

 tures on the island up to that year, a translation of which 

 appeared in 'The Ibis' for 1862 (p. 58). This, and a list 

 contributed by Mr. Gatke himself to the ' Edinburgh New 

 Philosophical Journal' (New Series, ix. p. 333), comprise 

 nearly all the ornithological information that has appeared in 

 this country with respect to the island. It is, however, with 

 great satisfaction that I am enabled to state that Mr. Gatke 

 is at present engaged in the preparation of a work on the 

 birds of Heligoland, which he expects to publish shortly. 

 This work will be not only of remarkable interest to ornitho- 

 gists generally, but also do more, in its collected facts and 



