150 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



(Vieill.), figured by Levaillant under the name of "Le tchagra" 

 in the ' Oiseaux d'Afrique/ pi. 70, of which P. longirostris 

 (Swains.) is a synonym. 



The question as to whether the present species and P. trivir- 

 gatus (Smith) are really specifically distinct is a much more 

 doubtful one, and some remarks on that subject will be found 

 in a subsequent page under the head of P. trimrgatus. 



Assuming all the black-headed specimens from different 

 localities, which do not differ from each other except in size, to 

 belong to the present species, it must be admitted that the dif- 

 ferences in size which they exhibit is remarkable, as will be per- 

 ceived from the following measurements of several skins, most of 

 which are in the collection of Mr. R. B. Sharpe, and all specimens 

 possessing the entire black hood. 



Length of Length Length 

 wing from of of 



carpal joint, tarsus. tail, 



in. in. in. 



Specimen A, from Algeria 3^ \\ 4% 



B, from Abyssinia 3| 1 3| 



C, from Bijook, N.E. Abyssinia, rf 3 1J 3| 



D, from Bijook, N.E. Abyssinia, rf 3| 1| 4 



E, from River Gambia 3 1 4| 



F, from River Gambia 3| 1| 4| 



G, from River Volta (West Africa) . . 3 H 3| 



H, from West Africa 3| 1 4 



I, from West Africa 3| If 4 



J, from River Cune'ne' 3f 11 4| 



K, from Elephant's Vley, Northern Da- 



mara Land 4 1| 4^ 



L, from Elephant's Vley, Northern Da- im- 



mara Land, rf 3| 1^ perfect. 



M, from Damara Land 3| 1^ 4J 



N, from Natal, J 3f 1^ 4^ 



O, from Natal, $ 3| 1| 4| 



P, from Eland's Post, South Africa . . 3f 1 4| 



., Q, from Eland's Post, South Africa, $ . 3| 1 4^ 



R, from South Africa 4 1 4 



ED.] 



