412 Extracts from Cori'espondence, Announcements, S^c. 



" Lobipes hyperboreus, three specimens, in nearly full summer 

 plumage. 



" Tringa cinclus (?). One specimen, I think, of this species, 

 with olive-green legs. 



" Two of a new Lusciniopsis, perhaps referable to Cassiu's new 

 species fi-om Japan. 



"And a very diminutive Locustella, allied to L. raii." 



The following letter from Mr. Swinhoe has been forwarded to 

 us for publication by Prof. Schlegel : — 



Amoy, June 1, 1861. 

 Sir, — I have no doubt you will be much pleased to hear that 

 one at least of the doubtful species of the ' Fauna Japonica ' has 

 been confirmed. Your son and I have been most assiduous in 

 our endeavours to hunt up the Biophorus paradisiacus, having 

 heard that that truly wonderful species was originally brought 

 to Japan from China, but our exertions have hitherto been fruit- 

 less. The other species, however, the Pitta nympha, we hardly 

 expected to discover, as its habitat is marked Corea. Imagine 

 my joy then this morning when my shooters brought in a bird 

 which I at once recognized as the redoubted Pitta nympha. I 

 at once communicated the glorious intelligence to your son, and 

 borrowed his coloured plate. The following notes were the re- 

 sults of our comparison, and, should you think them worth print- 

 ing, are at your service. 



The man who brought me the bird this morning told me 

 that he had shot it while it was sitting on a tree at the foot of 

 the highest hill on this island. Its ovary contained numerous 

 eggs, but none in a very developed state, and its crop was nearly 

 empty ; it is therefore natural to suppose that the individual had 

 merely dropped on the island in its migration. 



Length 8| inches ; wing 4y\, ; tail ly^, of 14 rectrices ; tarse 

 Ij^^. Bill blackish brown, paling towards the tip. Inside of 

 mouth light pinkish orange. Tongue sagittate, slightly bulging 

 at the sides, concave, horny, and split at the tip. Eye-rim black- 

 ish brown ; iris hazel. Ear small and somewhat ovate, orifice 

 hidden. Legs, toes and claws light brownish flesh-colour. 



The Appendix to the ' Fauna Japonica ' says of this species. 



