from the Vicinity of Foochow. 223 



has kindly sent me. It has no vermiculations on the back, 

 and its measurements point to S'. Candida, which is also 

 suggested by the locality where it was found. But the 

 face and upper surface are of so pronounced a buff tint 

 as to resemble rather >S. capensis. There is no specimen at 

 S. Kensington anything like it in this respect. — H. H. S.] 



Otus vulgaris, Fleming. 



My collector shot one on this island (Mantai) in February. 



Falco melanogenys, Gould. 



Two skins, dated September and January, I assign to this 

 species. 



[I have recently made, with Mr. Styan, a careful exami- 

 nation of the fine series of Falcons in the British Museum 

 collection. All the Chinese Peregrines seem to be referable 

 to F. communis. Mr. Rickett^s example represents the variety 

 which Mr. Hume named atriceps. — H. H. S.] 



MiCROHIERAX MELANOLEUCUS, Blytll. 



I have thirteen skins of this species, dated January, March, 

 April, August, and December. It will be seen from the sub- 

 joined notes thereon that the white spot on the upper back, 

 which was supposed to mark M. sinensis as a species, is present 

 to a very varying extent in some, and as often as not is 

 entirely absent : — 



(rt) Two feathers on upper back have each a white spot about •2 inch in 

 diameter, only visible when the feathers are disturbed. — January. 

 Wing 4'3 inches. 



{b) Has three feathers, each with a white spot about "4 inch. Not very 

 conspicuous. — December. Wing 4"3 inches. 



(c) One feather marked Avith a white spot, which occupies the greater 



part of it. — December. Wing 4*6 inches. 



(d) Half a dozen white-spotted feathers, forming a conspicuous mark. — 



December. Wing 4*7 inches. 



(e) Four or fiv^e white-spotted feathers. Not conspicuous when the over- 



lying feathers are undisturbed. — January. Wing 4-7 inches. 

 (/) Six or seven white-spotted feathers. Very conspicuous. — August. 



Wing 4"25 inches. 

 (ff) Two or three small spots. Hidden by overlying feathers. — $ , 



April. Wing 4*7 inches. 



