64 A FIRST LIST OF THE 



this species, the fourth and fifth primaries are equal and long- 

 est, the third a trifle only shorter, second about 0"5, and first 

 about 2 inches shorter, in these respects agreeing fairly well both 

 with Hemicircus and Meiglyptes. The central portion of the 

 lower half of the throat is generally of the same color as the 

 breast, but sometimes it also is spotted like, though less closely 

 than, the upper portion of the throat. The crown and ear coverts 

 are generally concolorous with the occiput and crest, but some- 

 times some of the feathers of these parts exhibit very narrow, 

 buff-colored bars, or tiny specks of the same color. 

 I may add that the sexes differ but little in size. 



166.— Chrysocolaptes sultaneus, Sodgs. 



A large series of this species was sent by Captain Feilden 

 from Thayetmyo, and three specimens were sent by Mr. Oates 

 from the Thayetmyo District and the Arracan Hills. 



Captain Feilden makes three varieties out of these specimens. 

 "The common one/' he says, "has the males, 12 to 125 in 

 length ; the legs, nearly plumbeous ; irides, pale yellow, edged pale 

 vermilion. In the second variety the males are 12" 87 to 13" 25 in 

 length; the females, 125 (a young female, 12) ; legs, olive green ; 

 iris, pale yellow, edged faintly with dark brownish purple ; the 

 crimson on the nape of the male in this race descending lower and 

 forming a faint demi-collar across the black and white ; the black 

 of the female, the same. In the third variety the length is 12' 5, 

 and the back is tinted red, and the gular stripe is broader."" 



I have carefully examined all these specimens, and I am 

 perfectly certain that they are referable to one and the same 

 species. As to dividing the Thayetmyo birds into more than one 

 species, this seems to me absolutely impossible, nay more, I have 

 very grave doubts as to how far it will be possible hereafter to 

 retain the southern Delesserti distinct from the northern sulta- 

 neus. There is no doubt that the only difference between these 

 races consists in size, and that this difference is very considerable 

 when typical examples of both are selected. 



The following table of nine specimens of each race taken at 

 random will exhibit clearly this difference : — 



C. Sultaneus. 



