832 MR.W.T. BLANFORD ON A NEW CALLliNE. [Nov. \4, 



21. GyGIS ALBA (L.), Pall. 



Pelew Islands. Von Kittlitz describes the very young bird (Reise, 

 ii. p. 158). 



22. Anas superciliosa, L. 



Two pullets in spirits from an uncertain locality. 



23. PuFFiNUs opisthomelas, Coues. 



Four specimens from the Pelew Islands. " Kokeio" incol. 



Var. minor : subcaudalibus totis niyro-fnliginosis. 



The type of Coues's description from Cape St. Lucas is a some- 

 what larger bird ; but, there being no other difference between it 

 and our Pelew bird, I prefer considering this latter a smaller race. 

 The dimensions of our specimens are: — Long, tota Il-IH", rectr. 

 12-121"', alse 3" 4-7"', tars. 17". 



3. On a New Species of Callene from the Puliiey Hills in 

 Southern India. By William T. Blanford, Assoc. Roy. 

 School of Mines, C.M.Z.S. &c.* 



(Plate XXXIX.) 



The Rev. S. Fairbank has sent to me for description a very inter- 

 esting new species of bird which he has recently shot upon the 

 Pulney Hills, a lofty portion of the great range which stretches along 

 the southern parts of the western coast of India, from the remark- 

 able gap of Paulghatcherry, which divides the range from the 

 Nilghiri hills, to Cape Comorin. This fine tract of hill country, about 

 150 miles in length and, in its northern portion, 60 to 70 miles 

 broad, contains a very interesting fauna having, as might be ex- 

 pected, close affinities with that of Ceylon, and also with that of the 

 Nilghiris, but still containing many peculiar forms. It has, how- 

 ever, hitherto been neglected in the most remarkable manner, and 

 there is no portion of the Indian peninsula concerning the zoology 

 of which so little is known. This may appear opposed to Dr. Giin- 

 ther's statement in the ' Reptiles of British India,' in which he as- 

 serts that the southern corner of India with Ceylon, including Tra- 

 vancore, the Nilghiris, Mysore, &c., is one of the best-explored parts 

 of the country. Most Indian naturalists will probably be inclined to 

 think that "best-explored" is a misprint for "worst-explored;" but, 

 in fact, the mistake is one which few naturalists who had no personal 

 knowledge of India would have avoided. The fauna of Ceylon, thanks 



* Along with the present communication Mr. Blanford sent specimens of the 

 bird described and its eggs for exhibition to the Meeting, — also skins of Salpornis 

 npilonofa, Franklin, Emheriza huttoni, Bljth, and Hirundo fluminicola, Jerdon. 

 —P. L. S. 



