37 [Vol. xxxiii. 



those of Collocalia and measure about 17 - 6 X 12'4 mm., whilst 

 the large ones are about 30'05 x 22 ram. ; their shell is of a 

 very curious texture, almost like that of the egg of the 

 Lark-heeled Cuckoo (Centropus). The surface is intensely 

 smooth and at the same time almost chalky, and though the 

 grain is very fine the shell is exceptionally stout for the size 

 of the egg. 



"Both species appear to breed from December to March, 

 but Mr, Stewart thinks it more than probable that with 

 further experience of their habits he will have to extend 

 that period very greatly." 



Mr. D. A. Bannerman gave the following account of his 

 recent visit to the Canary Islands : — 



" I spent the greater part of May and June this year in 

 the Eastern Canary Islands collecting birds for the British 

 Museum. During the latter part of the trip I stayed for a 

 week on the small uninhabited Island of Montana Clara and 

 sent my taxidermist to Allegranza. 



iC We visited these islands mainly in search of Petrels, and 

 certainly never expected to find a new Passerine bird. 



(C Soon after we landed on Montana Clara we shot a pair 

 of Chats and subsequently obtained several on Allegranza, 

 where they were very plentiful. 



" When I first examined them in the flesh I thought they 

 were examples of Saxicola dacot'm, but a minute examination 

 of a large series, in which I was assisted by Mr. Ogilvie- 

 Grant, proved them to belong to a distinct subspecies, which 

 I propose to name after my wife : 



" Saxicola dacoti^e MURiELiE. 



"The chief points in which it differs from the Fuerte- 

 venturan Chat are the following : — 



" The breast and belly are isabelline instead of whitish ; 

 the rust-coloured chest-patch is wanting ; and the crown is 

 lighter and of a more reddish-brown, especially at the com- 

 mencement of the autumn-moult. 



" An adult male in worn plumage killed on Allegranza on 

 the 12th of June at the commencement of the autumn-moult 



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