1864.] CAPT. R. H. BEDDOME ON A NEW ELAPS. 179 
146. PHALAROPUS WILSON], Sabine. 
A specimen of this beautiful bird in full summer plumage. 
147. GARZETTA CANDIDISSIMA (Gm.). 
148. Isis orp, Bp. 
149. Rattus Lonerrostris (Bodd.). 
150. Porzana CAROLINA (Linn.). 
151. GaLuinuta MARTINICA (Linn.). 
152. Funica AMERICANA, Gm. 
Order ANSERES. 
153. CHROICOCEPHALUS ATRICILLA (Linn.). 
154. HyprocHELIDON pLuMBEA (Wils.). 
155. Ruyncuors niGRa, Linn. 
156. Popicrers CALIFoRNICUS, Heerm. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1854, 
p- 179; Coues, zb¢d. 1862, p. 231. 
This bird is very closely allied to the European P. nigricollis— 
commonly but erroneously called P. auritus. Mr, Coues has pointed 
out, J. c., the slender differences that distinguish the two birds. 
Mr. White’s collection contains one example of this Grebe in full 
summer plumage. I have not before seen it from Mexico. 
3. DescripTion oF A New Species or Exvars rrom MALABAR, 
By Carr. R. H. Beppome, OrriciIATING CONSERVATOR OF 
Forests, Mapras. 
ELAPS CERASINUS. 
Rostral slightly produced back between the anterior frontals ; an- 
terior frontals only half the size of the posterior ones, the latter {ouch 
the orbit ; no anteocular and no loreal nostril between two nasals ; 
seven upper labials; third, fourth, and fifth very high ; third and 
fourth enter the oat ; one small postocular, vertical, six-sided, 
elongated, pointed behind ; superciliaries small ; occipitals large, elon- 
gated, pointed behind, with a pair of large temporals on the side of 
each; anal entire. Back purplish brown, with a shining nacreous 
lustre, with transverse, broad, irregular-shaped, black bands extend- 
ing to the tip of the tail (about forty) at nearly equal distances, and 
which are continued, though not so broad, underneath the belly and 
tail, but never quite meet. Sides (two or two and a half of the lowest 
row of scales) and belly of a brilliant cherry-colour ; head black in 
front ; neck with the fifth, sixth, and seventh labials and a portion 
of the occipitals cherry-coloured. Total length 213 inches ; girth 
