3384 MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MADAGASCAR. [June 9, 
Prof. Newton, V.P., exhibited a series of large Falcons from 
Alaska, sent to him for determination by Prof. Baird, For. Memb., 
Assistant-Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Some uncer- 
tainty had hitherto prevailed as to the form of large Falcon which 
inhabited tie north-west of America, or indeed any of the territory 
lying to the west of Hudson’s Bay ; but it would appear likely, from 
the statement of Richardson (Faun. Bor.-Am. ii. p. 28), that in 
some parts at least of that tract Falco candicans breeds. The birds 
from Alaska Prof. Newton referred without doubt to I. islandicus, 
though belonging to the darker phase of that form. He also adverted 
to the fact that in the lately published list of Alaskan birds by 
Messrs. Dall and Bannister* this large Falcon was included under 
the name of Falco sacer, Forst. (Phil. Trans. 1772, pp. 383, 423), 
remarking that, as had been previously shown (Ibis, 1862, p. 51, 
note), the species to which this name referred was certainly not a 
Falco at all as the genus is now restricted, and that, if Forster’s 
diagnostic character, ‘‘iris yellow” (on which great stress was laid), 
could be trusted at all, the bird was most likely that which is gene- 
rally known as Astur atricapillus. 
Mr. Gould exhibited, and made remarks on, some specimens of 
Water-ouzels (Cinelus) killed in Norfolk, pointing out that these 
birds differed from the ordinary Cinclus aquaticus of Scotland, 
Wales, and Ireland, and agreed with the Scandinavian form called 
Cinclus melanogaster +. 
Dr. J. Hawkes, F.Z.S8., communicated a note on a case of hernia 
ventriculi in a common Canary-Finch (Crithagra canariensis). 

The following papers were read :— 
1. Contributions to the Ornithology of Madagascar.—Part I. 
By R. B. Suarpg, F.L.S., Libr. Z.S8., &c. 
(Plate XXIX.) 
I have recently been favoured by Mr. Cutter, Natural- History 
Agent, of 35 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, with the inspection 
of a collection of birds formed by Mr. A. Crossley in the northern 
portion of Madagascar. Ornithologists are greatly indebted to Mr. C. 
Ward of Halifax, who, at his own expense, equipped Mr. Crossley for 
this expedition. As might be expected from the list of birds furnished 
by M. A. Grandidier (Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, pp. 319, 353, 
385, 417), the ornithology of this portion of Madagascar is of great 
interest ; and I have therefore put together a few notes on the birds 
contained in the present consignment. Before I saw the collection, 
the British Museum had made their selection and had secured seve- 
* Transactions of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, i. p. 271 (1869). 
r Cf, Stevenson’s Birds of Norfolk, i. p. 69; and Salvin in Ibis, 1867, p. 115. 
—LLD. 
