Mr. P. L. Sclater on new species of Birds. 225 



axis of the tube, and covered with a more or less thick coat of smaller 

 spicula. In this genus the mass of the sponge is formed of small 

 spicula, which inosculate and are united together, forming a rather 

 hard mass pierced with numerous closed, small, uniform hexangular 

 pores, lined internally with a thin layer formed of elongate fusiform 

 spicula placed parallel in bundles in a more or less longitudinal 

 direction round the inner mouth of the pores. 



The main tube is smaller at the base, gradually enlarges upward, 

 and is then subcylindrical and irregular on the surface. 



When examined externally, eight or ten longitudinal ridges are 

 observed, between which are placed a more or less regular series of 

 unequal-sized squarish concavities ; at the lower edge of each is to 

 be observed a large round oscule, commencing with the outer sur- 

 face. 



ApHROCALLISTES BEATRIX. 



Hab. Malacca. 



We have in the British Museum an imperfect specimen of Euplec- 

 tella, which was brought home by Capt. Sir Edward Belcher at the 

 same time as the above. 



March 9, 1853.— Dr. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. 



On some New or little-known Species of Accipitres, 

 IN THE Collection of the Norwich Museum. By 

 Philip Lutley Sclater, M.A. 



At the request of Mr. J. H. Gurney, I exhibit to the meeting 

 some interesting birds belonging to the fine series of specimens of 

 the order Accipitres, which that gentleman has collected for the 

 Norwich Museum. Among them appear to be several new or little- 

 known species, concerning which I beg to offer the following 

 remarks : — 



1. Urubitinga schistacea, 



Asturina schistacea, Sund. Ofv. Af. K. Vet. Ak. Forh. 1849, 

 p. 132. 



Falco ardesiacus, Licht. in Mus. Berol. 



Morphnus schistaceus, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1857, p. 261. 



S adultus. Totus nigro-cinerascens : cauda nigra, fascia media 

 angusta margineque apicali a Ibis : orbitis subnudis : rostri 

 apice nigra, hujus basi cum pedibus flavis. 



Long, tota 16-0, alae 11*0, caudse 7*0, rostri a rictu 1-4, tarsi 3-3. 



Sundeval has given an excellent description of this bird, which 

 does not appear to have been recognized by any other writers except 

 Prince Bonaparte. By this author it is alluded to in an article en- 

 titled " Revue ge'nerale de la classe des Oiseaux," in the ' Revue et 

 Mag. de Zool.' for 1850, p. 474, and again in the ' Comptes Rendus ' 

 for 1855, under the specific name ardesiacus, the synonym '^ Falco 

 ardesiacus, Licht. in Mus. Berol." being said to refer to it. 



