Sotne Chinese Species of the Genus Alcippe, 309 



thological collection from the Serra dos Oi'gaos, which I \cii 

 under the care of my cousin at Colonia Alpina, 



Ornithologists will see that our careful observations do 

 not agree with the statements of Menetries. It need not, 

 however, be supposed that this author invented his state- 

 ments. They may be explained by supposing that he con- 

 founded Sclerurus with some other bird. Sclerurus is, as 

 Mr. Sclater remarks, an isolated aberrant genus. If the 

 statements as to its nidification and the colour of its egg, as 

 given by Menetrids, were true, its affinity with the Formi- 

 cariidse would gain probability. But, proved as it is now 

 that the bird is a hole-breeder and that it has pure-white 

 eggs, the systematic position of Sclerurus among the Den- 

 drocolaptidiE, as proposed by Mr. Sclater, becomes a scientific 

 necessity. 



XXVIII. — 0/1 some Chinese Species of the Genus Alcippe. 

 By F. W. Styan. 



As some confusion exists as regards those Chinese species of 

 Alcippe which are closely allied to A. nipalensis of India, I 

 have lately attempted to clear up the difficulty by a careful 

 examination of a long series of examples from various 

 districts. Mr. de La Touche and Mr. Rickett have kindly 

 entrusted me with their Forraosan and Fukien specimens ; 

 my own collector sends a number of skins from Icliang, in 

 Western China; and the fine set in the J3ritish ]\Iuseum, 

 with which the late Mr. Seebohm's specimens are now 

 incorporated, has been at my service. 



The conclusion arrived at is that there arc three Chinese 

 forms entitled to specific or subspecific rank. I include the 

 Formosan bird, for although the island is now [jolitieally 

 part of Japan, it has hitherto been inchuled ornithologically 

 in China. 



These three forms are quite distinct from the Indian 

 species, and have certain constant characters by which they 

 may be distinguished inter se. They were all recognized 

 by Pere David, who, however, subsequently modified his 



