204 Mr. H. E. Strickland's Notes on Mr. Blyth's 



crab-catchers^ and also in depositing tliem in shore only, where 

 they are seldom or ever left dry by the tide. They are frequently 

 strung together in single lines, and overlie each other like scales : 

 the young escape from them in the upper part by an opening 

 which yields to their pressure when they are of sufficient strength : 

 the nidi are horn-colour and semitransparent, and of the shape 

 of the spade on playing cards. This nidus I have been observing 

 for the last three or four years, and from careful investigation I am 

 quite satisfied that it belongs to the Buccinum reticulutum. The 

 following I think speaks strongly in favour of that opinion : the 

 "bullies'' are frequently (round the lower part) nearly covered 

 with these nidi, and great numbers of the Buccinum reticulatum 

 are found on and in the " hullies," but no other shell of any kind. 

 The young shells are very much like those of other whelks in 

 having the apex unfinished. 



.^^ 



Fig. 

 Fig. 

 Fig. 



1. A single nidus oi Buccinum reticulatum. 



2. Several strung together attached to a sea-weed. 



3. A quantity on a piece of wicker. 



XXVIII. — Notes on Mr, Blyth's " Further notice of the species of 

 Birds occurring in the vicinity of Calcutta." [Ann. Nat. Hist. 

 vol. xiii. p. 113.) By H. E. Strickland, M.A. 



No. 21, page 114 supra. If Mr. Blyth be right in uniting Milvus 

 Govinda to M. atolius, Lesson (which I see no reason to doubt), it 

 ought to stand as Milvus ater (Gra.), and Falco cegyptius, Gna., F. 

 Foi-skahli, Gm., Accipiter Milvus, Pall., Milvus niger, Bon., and Milvus 

 C/iee/e, Jerdon, are additional synonyms. But it cannot be the Falco 

 Cheela of Latham, as that is said to have a white bar 1| inch wide 

 across the tail. 



25 a. Mr. Blyth frequently uses specific names without annexing 

 the authority. It is consequently uncertain whether by " Polypteryx 

 cinereus" he intends the Vultur dnereus of Gmelin, — by " Vultur in- 



