Letters, Extracts, Notices, i^c. 401 



than Muscicapidee, where Mr. R. Bowcller Sharpe lias placed 

 it. 



P. 61. Micropus melanoleuciis from Sumatra is a Pycno- 

 notine bird. Micropus melanoleucus of Shufeldt is a Swift, 

 &c. 



The mistake is fully admitted — the two species confounded 

 having the same generic as well as specific name. 



P. QQ. The family Plataleidse cannot be properly main- 

 tained as distinct from Ibidida?. 



A matter of opinion and one on which criticism is welcome. 

 To be consistent, however, Mnscicapidse should be merged 

 with Sylviidse, Nectariniidse with Meliphagid?e, &c. 



Yours &c., 



A. H. Evans. 



[We agree with onr correspondent that these vexatce qucts- 

 tioncs are mostly matters of opinion. But we claim the 

 right to retain our own. The idea oi Haliastur in Africa (!) 

 is revolting to those who care for geographical distribution, 

 and should have been noted as incorrect. As regards the 

 families to which Chlorura and Melilestes belong, we prefer 

 the authority of Salvadori ; see his Orn. Pap. ii. p. 443 and iii. 

 p. 343. The arrangement of the B. M. Catalogue is certainly 

 not perfect. But so far as the Passeres go, it will very soon 

 be so far advanced as to enable every known species and its 

 synonyms to be referred to, without difficulty. We trust, 

 therefore, that when this comes to be so, the alphabetical 

 arrangement of families (which we consider objectionable) 

 will be given up. — Editor.] 



Inverness, June 5th, 1889. 



Sir, — As evidencing the rate at which certain species of 

 birds are extending their range, it may be of interest to state 

 that the Stock Dove {Columba oenas) bred in Sutherland this 

 year for the first time. In 1885 it was known to have 

 occurred at Lossiemouth, and in 1887 at least two nests 

 were seen or taken by Mr. O. A. J. Lee on the Culbin sands 

 in rabbit-holes. 



On the 8th of March, 1888, I heard the Stock Dove in the 



