1878.] THE ORNITHOLOGY OF THE PHILIPPINES. 107 



shores of Mindanao, and are only separated from that island by 

 narrow channels. Through these channels the wind blows with 

 considerable force throughout the greater part of the year, being 

 either the gales of the S.W. or the N.E. monsoon. 



Mr. Everett's observations on the ornithological features of these 

 islands, coming as they do from a personal observer, merit transcrip- 

 tion. He writes : — " No district visited so far has equalled the vici- 

 nity of Manilla in the number and variety of its birds. The progress 

 of the work shows that a very close general similarity exists between 

 the islands of Mindanao and Luzon, though there are some marked 

 local differences. This was to be expected ; and it is rather sur- 

 prising that the differences are as marked as they are, when we con- 

 sider that not only are the islands separated from another by very nar- 

 row spaces of sea, but that they are situated in an area where strong 

 winds blow in various directions, with little cessation during the major 

 part of the year, accompanied with violent squalls and typhoons, so 

 that any high degree of specialization in the local avifauna would 

 seem, d priori, out of the question." 



In the island of Dinagat, Mr. Everett writes, he found birds to be 

 excessively rare ; still he obtained 39 species, 7 of which were unde- 

 scribed : — 



Ceyx argentata. Dicceum everetti. 



Hypothymis ccelestis. Prionochilus olivaceus. 



Mixornis capitalis. JEthopyga dubia. 

 Dicceum schistaceum. 



Only 13 species were obtained in the small islands of Nipah, 

 Bazol, and Sakuyok ; and they are all known inhabitants of Min- 

 danao. 



1. Cacatua h^ematuropygia (1). 

 [Nipah, 2 , July.] 



2. LORICULUS HARTLAUBI (7). 



[a. Dinagat, <$ , 2, June. b. Bazol, 6*. Julv.] 

 The example figured, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 819 (d), is in full adult 

 plumage, the occipital feathers being orange-red, grading into orange 

 on the nape, which colour suffuses and descends the back, losing 

 itself in the pure green of the lower back. There is no blue about 

 the face, chin, or throat ; the dark blue of the under surface of the 

 rectrices fades into pale blue at their apices. The orange hue on 

 the back of the female figured is less intense. 



3. Harpactes ardens (34). 



[Dinagat, d", June. Iris brown ; bill yellow, base green.] 

 A single example, in adult plumage, and which has a more massive 

 bill than is found in Luzon individuals. Otherwise alike, and di- 

 mensions equal. 



A. Merops PHILIPPINES (35). 

 [Bazol, J, July.] 



