1866.] ON BIEDS FEOM THE ANDAMANS. 31 



but does not exceed that of some collected in Candeish. In colour and its distribution I can 

 detect no distinction between it and the specimens I have mentioned. Variation in tlie depth 

 of the chestnut-brown plumage is to be found in all specimens, but this variation appears to be 

 consequent on the age of the bird. Ilelying on the opinion of Mr. Strickland, I have not separated 

 the South Asiatic from the West Asiatic forms. 



3. ToDIRAMrHUS COLLARIS (Scop.) ] 



Alcedo coUaris, Scop. Del. Flor. et Faun. Insub. ii. p. 90. no. 56 \ (1786) 



No. 11. Andamans. 



A single specimen of what I believe to be the same as the Bengal and Malayan form has 

 been sent from the Andaman Islands. The group of local species, of which it forms one, has 

 yet to be worked out. Temporarily 1 follow Messrs. Jerdon and Blyth in referring the Indian 

 and Malayan race to Scopoli's species, although it must prove eventually to be distinct ; for 

 Scopoli's A. coUaris was founded on Sonnerat's Martin-pecheur a collier hlanc des Phili^ppines. 

 Alcedo chloris, Bodd., founded on BufFon's 783rd plate, would take precedence of Scopoli's 

 designation, could the origin of Buffon's type be shown. Buffon tells us that it is the same as a 

 species seen by Commerson in the island of Bourn, and described by him. If so, A. chloris, 

 Bodd., must belong to the Bouru form, and anyhow takes precedence of A. chlorocephahis, Gm., 

 likewise founded on Buffon's 783rd plate. A Bouru specimen in my collection differs widely 

 from the Andaman specimen sent. If the Philippine species does prove to be distinct from the 

 Bengal and Malayan bird, this last will require another title ; and that of occipitalis, Blyth 

 (J. A. S. B. 1846, p. 23), given by that author to young examples from the Nicobars, may 

 perhaps have to be adopted, unless the Nicobars do possess a race deserving of specific distinction; 

 for, although Mr. Blyth at a later date (Cat. Mus. A. S. Bengal) cancelled the species, according 

 to him it does vary, both in the young and adult state, from the common Bengal bird. If this 

 variation be found to be constant, the Bengal and Malayan bird will require another name. I 

 prefer following the majority of ornithologists in retaining this species in Lesson's genus rather 

 than separating it under Dr. Cabanis's generic title Sauropatis. 



4. Pal^oenis NicoBAEicus, Gould, Birds of Asia. P.Z.S. 1866, 



p. 555. 



Palwornis erytlirogenis, Blyth, J. A. S. B. 1846, p. 23, nee Fraser, P. Z. S. 1850, p. 245. 



Nos. 4, 5, 6. Andamans. 



These three specimens appear to belong to this species. The type came from the Nicobars, 

 to which islands, according to Mr. Blyth, in 1846 it was supposed to be restricted. Nc% having 

 been able to compare Captain Beavan's specimens with Nicobar individuals, I am unable to assert 

 their identity positively. 



5. Aetamus leucoptgialis, Gould C?), P. Z. S. 1842, p. 17. 

 Nos. 7, (?, 10, ?. Andamans. 



The male specimen is that of a mature bird. The one marked a female is in the usual 

 dingy brownish speckled plumage of adolescence ; it may, however, be a young female. At least 

 four species of Swallow-Shrikes, with white rumps and under surface, have up to now been 



