LAMPROTORNIS PURPUROPTERUS 67 



its larger size and longer tail. On an average, wing 6-6 inches, tail 8-0, 

 graduation of tail more than 3 inches. 



This form may be regarded as a connecting link between L. purpuratus 

 and L. caudatus. 



Eiippell's Long-tailed Glossy Starling ranges over Eastern 

 Africa and the Lake district from about 6° S. lat. to 9° N. lat. 



To the east of Lake Tanganyika the species has been 

 procured by Bohn as far south as Ugallaland, and by 

 Glanning at Malagarazi. It is abundant throughout the 

 Victoria Nyanza district from Speke's Gulf, where it has 

 been obtained by Fischer and Trotha, to Bukoba and Itali 

 (Stuhlmann), Usongora and Uganda (Ansorge). In the Upper 

 White Nile district it has been met with at Lado, Dufile 

 and Magungo (Emin) ; Djur and Bongo (Heuglin), and 

 Fashoda (Hawker). Mr. Hawker found it to be " very 

 connnon on Abba Island, and met with it further south " 

 (" Ibis," 1902, p. 401). I have quoted this reference, as Mr. 

 Ogilvie Grant has here made some original notes with 

 regard to the distinction of this species and its near ally, 

 L. (Bneoceplialus, with which Dr. Eeichenow and I perfectly 

 agree. 



To the east of Victoria Nyanza specimens have been 

 collected at Kagihi, Massa, Simiu, Pangani, Nguruman, Lamu 

 and Wapokomoland (Fischer). That naturalist observed them 

 feeding on the ground in small parties of four or six, 

 were very tame, and, on occasions, perched on the native 

 huts and poured forth a short, pleasing song. Mr. Jackson 

 found the species in the Suk country and writes : " Plentiful 

 in small flocks; song very sweet." At Elgeyu, in the middle 

 of August they were, "very plentiful; breeding. They make 

 a shallow nest of sticks, mostly thorny, very rough." He 

 also met with them at Kinani, and on the Samia Hills in 

 Kavirondo, in parties of three to five individuals. In Somali- 

 land, Ruspoli procured the type of L. viridipectiis in the 



