62 



THE BIRDS OF A DROUGHT. 



mantle a pale saudy brown, mueli paler than in affinis, almost 

 the same as in nana. 



In this species only two out of seventeen specimens have 

 the wings over 2*45. The majority run under 24. Of seventeen 

 specimens, thirteen have the wings 2 = 7 ; three have the 2nd 

 intermediate between 7th and 8th ; one has the 2 = 8. 



This species is, I find on careful re-examination of my whole 

 collection, confined entirely to the extreme western portions of 

 the Continent. I said formerly (S. ¥., L, 198) that I had a 

 specimen from Jhansie, but on re-examining it I find that it 

 was not correctly assigned to this race. I give below a list of 

 my specimens similar to that already given for those of 



amnis: — 



Jodhpur .. 



Jodhpur .. 



Mooltan .. 



Jaeobabad 



Jacobabad 



Sukkur 



Mitheneo*e 



2nd primary equals 1th (13 specimens.) 



Chenab and Eavee Juncfc. Female 236 



Bbawulpur ... „ 2"46 



Chenab and Kavee Juncfc. Male 2 - 33 



Bhawulpur ... ? 2-39 



Bbawulpur ... ? 2 39 



Kavee and Chenab Junct. Male 2*4 



2nd primary intermediate between 7th and 8th (3 specimens.) 



Jodhpur ... ... Male . 243 I Jodhpur ... ... Male 2-53 



Jodhpur ... ... Female 231 | 



2nd primary equals 8th (1 specimen.) 



Ferozpur, Male, 2'5. 



Although there will, doubtless, be some few exceptions, the 

 following 1 rough diagnosis will suffice to enable observers to 

 separate the great majority of the specimens they may meet 

 with : — 



S. ALTH-EA. 



Upper surface darkish grey; 

 slightly tinged with 

 brown on the back. 



Wing, 2-7 to 2-8. 



2nd primary = 6-7, 7, 7-8. 



S. AFFINIS. 



Crown brownish grey, 

 mantle earth brown. 



S. MINULA. 



Crown pale bluish grey ; 



mantle pale 



brown. 

 Winer, 23 to 2-45. 

 2nd Primary = 7, 7-8. 



Wingr, 2-45 to 2-65. 

 2nd Primary = 6, 6-7 



Individual specimens will undoubtedly occur, which will not 

 in every respect fall within the lines of this diagnosis ; and it is 

 this which has made me doubt whether these three forms should 

 be considered races or species ; but the very great majority of 

 the specimens can be at once diagnosed as above, and in all I 

 think two out of the three points will be found to hold good. 



1 have endeavoured now to lay the matter fully before my 

 readers ; it is right, and indeed necessary, that they should un- 

 derstand and recognize the existence of these three forms, but 



