Birds of the Philippine Islands. 211 



roads were at this season impossible for porters, and, to make 

 matters worse, the birds were mostly in full moult. Having 

 spent three weeks in Leite, Mr. Whitehead thought it ad- 

 visable to return to Manila, and after a rough voyage arrived 

 there safely on the 8th of September. On landing he found 

 that the Indians had risen, and the whole neighbourhood of 

 Manila was in a state of active rebellion. JNIartial law had 

 been proclaimed, and as it was impossible to obtain a permit 

 to leave the town with firearms, a couple of months were 

 spent waiting for matters to quiet down, but in vain. To 

 remain in Manila was obviously a waste of time, so in 

 November it was determined to return home, via America. 

 Mr. Whitehead arrived in England at the end of last 

 December, after an absence of more than three years. 



That the bird-life in Samar and Leite should prove almost 

 identical is scarcely surprising, for the islands lie close togetlier, 

 being only separated at one part by a very narrow channel 

 some few hundred yards wide. It has not therefore been 

 thought necessary to divide this paper into two parts, but in 

 every case care has been taken to mention the island or 

 islands where each species was obtained. 



The present collections contain many birds of particular 

 interest, and besides the wonderful Forest-Eagle mentioned 

 above, there are several other new species, such as the tiny 

 Falcon [Microhierax meridionalis), the Pigmy Babbler [Zoster- 

 ornis pygmceus) , and two Flower-creepers [Rhabdoi'nis minor 

 and R. inornatus). 



A number of nests and eggs have been collected in the 

 various islands of the Philippine group visited by Mr. White- 

 head; and as many of the eggs were hitherto unknown, we 

 hope at some future time to give an account of them, with 

 figures of the more important. 



It is greatly to be regretted that the insurrection in the 

 Philippines has for the present rendered it impossible for 

 Mr. Whitehead to continue his explorations in the highlands ; 

 but constant exposure to a trying climate and insufficient 

 food had begun to tell on his health, and it was high time 

 that he should have a rest from his labours. It is, however a 



