Recently published Ornithological Works. 165 



2. Allen on the Birds of Matto Grosso. 



[On a Collection of Birds from Cliapada, Matto Grosso, Brazil, made 

 by Mr. Herbert H. Smith. By J. A. Allen. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist, 

 iii. no. 3.] 



We are much pleased to receive the first instalment of 

 Mr. Allen^s account of the great Matto Grosso collection of 

 birds. This series, which was accumulated by the well- 

 known American collector Mr. PI. H. Smith during the years 

 1882-86, originally numbered about 6000 specimens, of 

 which 4000 were purchased by the American Museum of 

 Natural History in 1887. About ISOOothers, left in storage 

 in the Museum, have likewise been used in preparing the 

 present memoir. The remainder were acquired by Messrs. 

 Godman and Salvin, and are now in the British Museum. 

 But failing these last-named, Mr. Allen had before him 

 such a series (about 4500) from the same district of South 

 America as had never been previously got together, and 

 has consequently been able to arrive at excellent results on 

 several disputed questions. 



Chapada, where or near where most of this fine series \^as 

 amassed, lies in the Campo district of Matto Grosso, on the 

 Bolivian frontier, about 35 miles S.W. of Cuyaba, at an alti- 

 tude of about 2500 feet. Some four months, however. 

 Mere passed by Mr. H. H. Smith and his party at Corumba, 

 about 300 miles southwards in the flood-plain of the Para- 

 guay river. 



The whole series collected is stated to contain examples of 

 about 350 species. In the present memoir we have an account 

 of the Oscinine Passeres, of which 87 species are included 

 in the list. Several papers have already been published by 

 Mr. Allen and others based upon specimens in this collection; 

 but we have now a general account of it, and consequently 

 much valuable information as to the individual variations of 

 different species. 



A new Tanager of the genus Calliste, allied to C. cayana 

 and C. flava, is designated C. niargaretlue, in honour of 

 Mrs. H. H. Smith. Of this bird 137 skins are stated to be 

 in the collection, and nests and eggs were also obtained. 



