OF SAND-MAETIN PEOM MADAGASCAR. 323 



below, rather more ashy along the inner web. Total length 

 4'8 inches, culmen 0-25, wing 8'65, tail 1*9, tarsus 0'4. 



Sah. Ankafana Forest, Betsileo, S.E. Madagascar. Native 

 name " Firizinga." 



This species comes nearest to Cotile pahidicoJa of South Africa, 

 but cliiFers in the following particulars : — 



1. The general colour above is altogether darker, and ap- 

 proaches more to blackish brown. 



2. In the adult South-African bird the brown colour com- 

 mences at the chin and spreads over the whole fore neck and 

 breast in one uniform tint, the lower breast and entire abdomen 

 and under tail-coverts being pure white. In the Madagascar 

 species the general aspect of the under surface is tmiform ashy 

 brown, with a little white on the lower abdomen, and the under 

 tail-coverts are white. The throat, however, is light ashy, con- 

 trasting with the dark colour of the rest of the under surface ; 

 and in this contrast consi.sts the principal distinguishing character 

 of Cotile Gowani. 



I may add that Mr. Deans Cowau brought a large series of 

 this new Martin, and I have carefully compared them with a 

 series of G. jJaludicola. 



The young bird differs from the adult in having rufous margins 

 to the feathers of the upper surface, wing-coverts, and secondaries, 

 while the throat and breast are also suffused with rufous. 



There is no difference in colouring in the sexes. The male 

 measures, total length 47 inches, wing 3"65, tail 1'9, tarsus 0"4. 



LINK. JOUKN. — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XTI. 28 



