Birds observed in the Island of Negros. 97 



is well acquainted with Merops ; and so there can be little doubt 

 that he is correct in the genus. The species may possibly be a 

 form of Nyctiornis. 



The Kinghunters [Halcyon gularis and H. chloris) frequented 

 the house and buildings of the sugar-factory. " Three of the 

 latter keep about the old 'camarine' and the bamboo staging 

 of the chimney ; and I hope to get their eggs." 



" A Wagtail, with a breast as yellow as a * Seysie's " 

 [Crithagra sulphur aid), was also common — probably Budytes 

 viridis. " A little ' Sun-bird/ with back of head and shoulders of 

 a brilliant scarlet (probably Dicceum a'uentatum), frequented some 

 shrubs near, as did also a Flycatcher with a dull red throat and a 

 white stripe along the eye." This last vadiyh^Muscicapa mugimaki, 

 Temm. & Schl., a species which migrates from Siberia to Malacca 

 [Erythrosterna erythaca, Blyth). 



The eggs oi Halcyon chloris y^^vt not obtained ; but the eggs of 

 a bird, the description of which agrees with Calornis payanensis 

 (Scop.) = candor, Gm., were secured. Mr. L.Layard states that this 

 species breeds in the holes of the bamboo staging erected round 

 the engine-house chimney, to catch the bricks in case of its being 

 shaken down by an earthquake, and thus avert the serious 

 accidents that might result from its fall. 



The eggs are of various shades of verditer, blotched somewhat 

 sparsely, but thickest at the obtuse end, with irregularly shaped 

 spots and blotches of dark brown, madder, and faint purple. 

 Axis 13'", diam. 9^'". 



Mr. L. Layard says that these birds fly in small flocks, and 

 that their habits reminded him of the Cape Juida morio. The 

 i rides he describes as red. 



Besides the little blue Swallow already noted, Mr. L. Layard 

 mentions " a small dark Swift " (a Collocalia ?, one of the pro- 

 ducts of the island being edible birds' nests), and a Swallow, 

 the common one of the country, probably Hypurolepsis javanica 

 (Sparrm.), of which he sends four eggs. Unfortunately uo 

 description of this bird or of it^ nest is given. The eggs 

 are of a dirty pink ground, profusely sprinkled with dark madder- 

 coloured spots, which are notably coarsest and closest set at the 

 obtuse end, with a faint iudicatiou of some light purple ones in 



