128 MR. F. NICHOLSON ON BIRDS FROM ABEOKUTA. [Feb. 5, 



known species. The young bird, No. 130, resembles the old one 

 generally in coloration, but has all the colours duller, the transverse 

 barring of the lower surface much less conspicuous and altogether 

 wanting on the breast, the white spots of the scapularies absent, 

 those on the wing-coverts smaller, and those on the tertiaries also 

 smaller, and tinged with rufous; the primaries also are less con- 

 spicuously banded with rufous. 



"Nos. 126, 127, males. Eyes red, upper mandible dark, the 

 lower with a slight red tinge, feet light brown. Stomach contained 

 beetles, egg-shells, and small calcareous particles." 



2. On a Collection of Birds from Abeokuta. By Francis 



Nicholson, F.Z.S. 



[Eeceived December 20, 1877-] 



(Plate X.) 



I have lately received from my friend, Mr. Henry Robin, a small 

 collection of birds made by him in the neighbourhood of Abeokuta. 

 Although preserved in spirits, the birds arrived in very good con- 

 dition, and have made fair specimens. On showing them to my 

 friend Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, he strongly advised me to publish a 

 short list of the species, inasmuch as we have never received any 

 natural-history specimens from Abeokuta before. This collection 

 also adds a species or two to the avifauna of Western Africa ; and 

 one bird appears to be new. I have deposited a series of the skins in 

 the British Museum ; and Mr. Sharpe has confirmed my identifica- 

 tions. I am indebted to him for a comparison of some of the more 

 obscure species. 



1. Scops letjcotis (Temm.); Sharpe, Cat. B. ii. p. 97. 



One specimen, which has apparently died in captivity. I am not 

 aware of the occurrence of this species in West Africa below Senegal 

 having been noted. 



2. Mel.enornis edolioides (Sw.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. iii. p. 315. 



One specimen, somewhat extending the range of this species in 

 Western Africa. 



3. Lanius smithii, Fraser ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 50. no. 478- 



Two adults, and three young birds in changing plumage ; all ap- 

 parently males, with no red on the flanks. 



4. Dryoscopus gambensis (Licht.) ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. 

 p. 48. no. 453. 



One male specimen. 



5. Dryoscopus major, Hartl. ; Sharpe, Cat. Afr. B. p. 47. 

 no. 450. 



An adult specimen. 



