180 On certain Subsjjecies of Wuodpeckei's. [Ibis, 



■f- Micropternus brachyurus williamsoni Kloss. 



This race was founded on a single male wLicli I have 

 examined, and appears fairly distinct when compared with 

 M. b. brachyurus. It must, however, if distinct, have au 

 extremely limited range, as specimens from Mergui are 

 almost typical M. b. phaioceps, while others from Bangkok 

 are very much nearer to M. b. burmanicus Godwin-Austen. 

 In any event very much larger series are required before, 

 in so variable and difficult a group as these Woodpeckers, 

 tiie race can be regarded as in any way established, and its 

 desci'iption is a courageous act which it is devoutly hoped 

 will not be largely imitated. 



Micropternus brachyurus lanka Kloss. 



The type and only specimen examined is a much dete- 

 riorated specimen so damaged in the region of the head 

 that the sex cannot be stated with certainty. It was col- 

 lected in Ceylon, probably in the southern districts, by 

 E. L. Layard about 184.5, and is No. 278 D. A.S.B. in the 

 collection of the Zoological Survey of India (late Indian 

 Museum, Calcutta). From the material it is impossible to 

 express any opinion on the validity or otherwise of the 

 race. 



4- Micropternus brachyurus brachyurus Blyth. 



The actual types of this form are a male and female 

 collected by E. Blyth in 1844 in the neighbourhood of 

 Calcutta. Wing 115-121 mm. 



Micropternus rufinotus Bp. described as from central Asia, 

 but more probably from north-west India, is a synonym not 

 of M. b. phaioceps but of M. b. blythii, being a large-winged 

 form . 



Micropternus brachyurus humei Kloss. 



This race, founded merely on Hume's remarks without 

 the inspection of any specimens with presumably a type- 

 locality of Rohilkund, which is cotei*minous with south-west 

 Nepal, is almost certainly a pure synonym of the large- 

 winged M. b. blythii (vide Hesse, Ornith. Monatsb. xix. 

 1911, p. 183). 



