770 MR. E. BARTLETT ON MAMMALS AND [Dec. 16, 



20. Galidictis striata, Geoffr. 

 S.W. coast of Madagascar. 



This species is described as having seven or nine longitudinal black 

 streaks on the back ; the specimens which I have received have only 

 six streaks. 



21. Eupleres GocDOTii, Doyere. 

 S.E. coast of Madagascar. 



22. Nesomys betsileoensis, sp. nov. 

 S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. 



Called by the natives "Volane andrivo." 



Fur soft, abundant, and shining, reddish brown, tipped with black, 

 base nearly black ; underparts of body rufous, paler on the chin 

 and throat ; feet and tail sparingly covered with short pale-coloured 

 hairs. 



Length 7 inches ; tail 3 inches. 



This interesting Rodent closely resembles in general appearance our 

 common Water- Vole (Arvico/a amphibius), differing in being much 

 smaller, in its richer tone of colour, the fur nearly black at the 

 base, and the tail shorter. 



Birds. 



1. Scops rutilus, Puch. 



S.W. coast, and S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. 

 Called by the natives " Forey-Foreeg." 

 Egg creamy white. 



2. Cypselus balstoni, sp. nov. 



S.W. interior Betsileo country, Madagascar. 



Called by the natives " Fearilsandro." 



Beak black ; back, primaries, scapulars, tail, and belly very dark 

 bronze-green, inclining to black, each feather more or less tipped 

 with pale buff, these white tips being more distinct on the belly ; 

 top of head, throat, tertials, and secondaries pale dirty buff, palest 

 on throat, tinged with pale bronze-green ; under the chin a series of 

 small elongated shaft-spots ; under wing-coverts pale greyish buff, 

 with very distinct elongated shaft-spots, tips nearly white ; under- 

 side of primaries and tail nearly black ; under tail-coverts brownish, 

 quills black ; legs, toes, and claws blackish brown. 



Length 6 inches; wing 6| inches, wing beyond tail 1| inch. 



Having carefully compared this Swift with a number of skins of 

 Cypselus apus, I feel convinced that it is distinct from that species, 

 and I have no hesitation in describing it under the above name. It 

 differs in size and colour, by having the small elongated spots on the 

 throat and on the under wing-coverts. I have much pleasure in 

 naming this species after Mr. R. J. Balston. 



3. Atelornis pittoides, Lafr. 

 S.E. Betsileo, Madagascar. 



Eggs creamy white, with a smooth surface, but not so highly 

 polished as the egg of Coracias garrulus. 



