142 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



forficatits, Tylas Eduardiy and Campephaga cana ; of tlie 

 smaller birds, there is the Zosterop)s madagascarieoisis, the two 

 Bemieria, the Lejjtoptei-us viridis, and the chattering Newtonia, 

 with many others. It is by following such drives that the 

 natives are able to obtain so many birds with their blow-pipes. 

 The birds that frequent the more open parts of the country 

 are the Pratincola syhilla, Cisticola madagascariensis, Eury- 

 stmnus madagascariensis, Hypsipetes ourovang. The peculiar 

 little Dromocercus wanders quietly amongst the grass, beside 

 the streams in the glades of the forest, and is never seen 

 perching, except in some natural history plates ! The Lepto- 

 somns discolor, a rather remarkable bird, delights in the out- 

 lying forest, where his peculiar cry of dre-dreo is frequently 

 heard. 



The Ciiculus Rochii begins his spring song in October, or 

 early part of November, and farms out his young there, as in 

 all other countries. His note changes considerably just before 

 he takes his departure, whether to the low countries or across 

 the sea, I cannot say. The egg is very unlike that of any 

 other cuckoo, and varies to some extent in the marking. 

 The nests it most frequents are those of the Pratincola syhilla 

 and the Cisticola madagascariensis, although it is often found 

 in the nests of Cossypha Sharpei and Copsychus pica. The 

 nesting season in Madagascar extends from November to 

 February or March, the common Fondia being amongst the 

 last of the nest builders. 



Mesites has only hitherto been found in the north-east 

 of Madagascar. The only specimens of this remarkable bird 

 which have come to this country are in the possession of 

 Canon Tristram of Durham. The Falcidia palliata, Upupa 

 marginata, Ninox super ciliar is, Ploceus sakalava, Foudia cry- 

 throcep)hala, and a considerable number of the Couas, are only 

 found on the western division of the island. Cotca ccvrulea is 

 well distributed through the whole of the countr}^, while 

 Coua Beynaudii and some of the others are extremely local. 

 Scopus umlretta is to be seen in nearly every rice field, and 

 their monster nests of sticks and other refuse are con- 

 spicuous on many a stone and tree. The guinea fowl exists 

 in thousands over different parts of Western Madagascar. 



