250 Mr. W. R. Ogilvie-Graut on Birds 



Dr. Reichenow, who, as stated above, has already identified 

 M. metabates Heugl. with M. polysomes (Riippell), has shown 

 that, most unfortunately, Riippell's name for this species 

 cannot be maintained, being preoccupied by Nisus polyzonus 

 Less.* This is quite true, although Dr. Reichenow is 

 mistaken in regard to Lesson's name belonging to the 

 southern Melierax canorus (Rislach). Nisus polyzonus Less., 

 the type of which has been figured by DesMursf, was 

 established on a specimen brought from the Cape by Dela- 

 lande, and I think that it has been rightly identified by 

 Dr. Sharpe with Astur (or Scelospizias) tachiro%. Dr. 

 Reichenow mentions Nisus polyzonus Less, also among the 

 synonyms of Astur tachiro, shewing that his previous state- 

 ment was made by mistake. 



In conclusion, the name Melierax metabates of Heuglin 

 (1861), which at that time had no right to stand, the bird 

 to which the name was given not being different from Faleo 

 {Nisus) polyzonus Riipp. (1835), ought, according to Dr. 

 Reichenow, to be restored to use on account of Riippell's 

 name being preoccupied by Nisus polyzonus Less. (1831). 

 I feel that this change is unfortunate, but I cannot see the 

 way to avoid it§. 



XX. — On the Birds collected during a recent Expedition 

 through Somali-Land and Abyssinia to Lake Tsana. By 

 W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, F.Z.S. With Field-Notes by the 

 Collector, Mr. E. Degen. 



(Plates V. & VI.) 



During recent years so many naturalists have traversed the 



* TraiW d'Orn. p. 58 (1831). 



t lconogr. Orn. pi. 61. 



% Cat. B. i. p. 99. 



§ [With due respect to our much-esteemed correspondent, we do not 

 quite understand why Riippell's name polyzonus should not be retained 

 for the Melierax, as Lesson's name does not refer to the same genus, and 

 is, moreover, merely a useless synonym of Astur tachiro Daud. — Edd.] 



