On the Small Spotted Eagle of Northern Germany. 373 



second, third, and fourth sej^ments have at tlieir basal mar2,-ins 

 a bright yellow fascia, the second being narrowest ; the apical 

 .segments yellow ; the fascia on the second segment expands 

 laterally into an irregular ovate spot ; beneath rufo-testaceous. 

 Hah. South Brazil. 



This species is In the possession of Dr. Hermann ]\IUller, 

 of Lippstadt. 



85. Centris lanosa. 

 Centric lanosa, Cresson, II\nii. Texana, p. 284,(5'. 

 Hah. Texas. 



[To be continued.] 



L. — Notes on the Small Sjjofted Eagle of Northern Germany^ 

 Aquila maculata (Gm.). By H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S. 



PoR some time I have been carefully working at the most 

 difficult group amongst the eagles, that comprising those usu- 

 ally known by the name of " Spotted " Eagles, and have by 

 no means yet been able to elucidate matters to my satisfaction. 

 A day or two ago, however, my friend and late colleague, Mr. 

 R. B. Sharpe, showed me the proof-sheets of a portion of his 

 Museum catalogue, now in the process of publication ; and 1 

 observed that he therein uses the name of Aquila ntevi'a for 

 the small Pomeranian and North-German Spotted Eagle. 

 Although this species, in common with the larger Spotted 

 Eagle which is found in Europe and Asia, has so long borne 

 this name, I convinced myself, some months ago, that it cer- 

 tainly does not belong to it, though I am by no means sure to 

 which species Gmelin's name of mevia should apply. I have, 

 however, never published any information I have acquired on 

 this subject ; but as Mr. Sharpe, to whom I communicated some 

 portion of it, wishes to refer to my notes in his catalogue, I have 

 arranged with him to publish a short notice, giving the rea- 

 sons why I refuse to accept the title of Aquila aievia for the 

 smaller Spotted Eagle. They are as follows : — J. F. Gmelin, 

 who first referred to an eagle under the name of Falco nan' ins 

 (Syst. Nat. i. p. 258. no. 49), which has generally been looked 

 on as being the Small Spotted Eagle, bases his description on 

 that of l^risson's Aiyle tachete ((Jrn. i. ]). 425. no. 4, 1760). 

 Brisson, however, does not describe the bird from a s])ecimen 

 in his own possession, but refers to other authors, some of 

 whose works (as, for instance, the one first mentioned, that of 

 Schwcnckfeld) arc not to be had for reference. He refers. 



