400 MR.R.B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MADAGASCAR. [June 9, 
Roch & E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 172; E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 457 ; 
Grand. Rey. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. 
Rhynchea variegata, Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 131 
(1868). 
One specimen. 
37. CoRETHRURA INSULARIS, Sp. n. 
2. Supra nigra, pallide rufo striata: scapularibus, tectricibus 
alarum, dorso imo uropygioque rufo fasciolatis et irregulariter 
vermiculatis: remigibus saturate brunneis, secundartis rufo, 
sed primariis haud vermiculatis: cauda saturate castanea, 
nigro fasciata: loris pallide ochraceis: genis ochraceis, nigro 
maculatis: gutture toto pallide echraceo, immaculato : pectore 
superiore rufescenti-ochraceo, nigro et (in pectore medio) albo 
variegato: corpore reliquo inferiore nigro, pallide ochraceo 
transfasciato. Long. tot. 6°5 poll., ale 2°85, rostri a fronte 0°5. 
*“Nossi Vola. Eyes dark. Contents of stomach insects.” 
The present bird seems to be the female of an undescribed species 
of Corethrura; and it is very interesting to find a species of this 
truly African form in the island of Madagascar. Mr. G. R. Gray 
has drawn my attention to the fact that Messrs. Schlegel and Pollen 
have included Crex jardinei in their work (Faun. Madag. Ois. 
p- 161) as occurring in Madagascar ; but I do not see on what au- 
thority. I do not for a moment believe the present bird will belong 
to any of the South-African species*. 
Fam. RaLuipz. 
38. BreNsIs MADAGASCARIENSIS. 
Biensis madagascariensis (Verr.); Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 79 
(1861); S. Roch & E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 173; A. Newt. P. Z.S. 
1865, p. 837. 
Rallus madagascariensis, Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. 
‘«‘Nossi Vola, October 19th, 1870.” 
39. RALLUS BERNIERI. 
Rallus gularis, Cuv.; Schl. & Poll. Faun. Madag. Ois. p. 134 
(1868). 
Rougetius bernieri, Bp.; Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 79 (1861); 
Sel. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 165; E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 458; A. Newt. 
P. Z. S. 1865, p. 837. 
Rallus bernieri, Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1868, p. 4. 
Three or four specimens were sent, in one of which the rufous of 
the neck is spreading over (or, perhaps, disappearing from) the white 
throat. This stage of plumage has not yet been accounted for. 
* M. Jules Verreaux, who has seen the specimen since the description was 
written, believes that it is the Corethrura cinnamomea (Less.), from West Africa 
(Hartl. Orn. Westafr. p. 242); but, with all due deference to so good an autho- 
rity, I still believe that the Madagascar bird will, on the comparison of speci- 
mens, prove distinct. 
