494 Mr. H. F. Witherhy on Birds from the 



S.W. Persia, and which has been separated by M. Zarudny 

 under the name of Syrnium sancti-nicolai (Orn. Monatsb. 

 1905, p. 49). 



The Tawny Owl seems a rare bird in Persia. 



Asio accipitrixus (Pall.). [*B. 116. *W. 1903, p. 560; 

 1907, p. 77.] 



$ . March 12, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 



" Quite common on the low ground near the coast ; we 

 often put up five or six at one spot." — R. B. W. 



Alcedo ispida bengalensis (Tacz.). 



<$ . Feb. 23, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 



" Not uncommon in Mazandaran and to be seen in the 

 gardens of Tehran ; the only species of Kingfisher observed." — ■ 

 R. B. W. 



This specimen, owing to its small size (wing 73 mm.), 

 must be referred to this form, although it is curious that 

 according to Blanford the Kingfisher of the Persian Plateau 

 appears to be of the typical form. 



Coracias garrulus L. [B. 125. W. 1903, p. 559; 

 1907, p. 78.] 



A male from the Elburz Mts. (near Demavcnd, alt. 7500 ft.) , 

 on April 28. 



" Plentiful round Tehran ; we were probably too early for 

 them on the north side of the mountains." — R. B. W. 



Picus martius L. 

 ? . Feb. 27, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 



" A single pair was seen, but afterwards we several times 

 heard a note which we thought might have been that of this 

 species."— R.B.W. 



The Black Woodpecker does not appear to have been 

 recorded previously from Persia, although its presence in the 

 Caspian Provinces is not unexpected. 



Dendrocopus major pozlzami (Bogd.). 

 Four from the S. coast of the Caspian Sea in February. 

 " Very plentiful throughout the w r ooded country both on 

 the plain and in the hills." — R. B. W. 



