174 Letters, Extracts, Notices, ^c. 



The size is about the same as that of A. seyetum, but I cannot 

 give the precise dimensions, the bird being stuffed ; the bill 

 from the gape measures 2'3 inches, the tarsus 2'8 inches, 

 the middle toe with claw 2"9 inches. 



This specimen seems to possess all the characters ascribed 

 by Mr. Sushkin to his A. neglectus as regards the form of 

 bill, the colour of head and neck, the white marks on the 

 maxilla, &c. Tlie only difference I find is the flesh-colour of 

 the middle portion of the bill and of the feet. The specimen 

 has been stuff'ed a long time and the colour is faded, but 

 these parts have not been artificially coloured, nor does any 

 information on this point exist on the label. 



This specimen, I must say, is particularly noticeable, 

 because it put us in the following dilemma : either the flesh- 

 colour on the bill and feet did not formerly exist, and it was 

 certainly an example of A. neglectus; or these parts had the 

 colour of A. segetum, and then the supposed new species 

 would be different from it only by this character (see 

 Mr. Sushkin's diagnosis), and. the other characteristic 

 features put forward by IMr. Sushkin would be of slight 

 importance. 



Knowing how many and what individual variations the 

 various species of the group A. segetum offer, I dare not 

 pronounce an opinion of the validity of the new species, 

 which I know only through the description of Mr. Sushkin. 

 I have thought it worth while, liowever, to inform you of the 

 existence of this interesting specimen, and if further com- 

 parisons shall decide its identity with Anser neglectus (in 

 case the validity of this species should, be acknowledged), the 

 important fact that Italy is on the line of its migrations will 



be settled. 



Yours &c., 



E. Arrigoni Degli oddi. 



Caoddo, near Monselice, Padua, Italy, 

 May 31st, 1897. 



Sirs, — It has been pointed out to me by Mr. C. W. Rich- 

 mond, of the U.S. National Museum, that the term Oreospiza, 



