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Bird -Lore 



where they would be most available to 

 science, I sent one to each of the three 

 leading museums of the country, at the 

 same time requesting information from 

 three of our leading ornithological experts, 

 located at the respective institutions to 

 which the specimens were sent. 



It may be of interest to here state that 

 the birds were at this time active and in 

 full song, the latter having a marked indi- 

 viduality. 



I quote replies in the order in which they 

 were received: "The specimen presented 

 by you to the Museum arrived safely and 

 we are greatly indebted for same. As it is 

 undoubtedly a new species and genus, I 

 have named it Bowdishia americana. The 

 specific name being on account of the 

 striking red, white and blue coloration of 

 its wings. If you do not think the speci- 

 men will fade, we will be glad to put it on 

 exhibition provided you will present us 

 with a suitable case." 



"After serious consideration I do not 

 think that I care to hazard an identifi- 



cation of your bird We have the song, it is 

 true, but species of this group are so in- 

 volved that sexual and seasonal plumages 

 are absolutely necessary for correct deter- 

 mination. It is obviously one of the 

 Christmas volans group, probably of the 

 genus Fakir iferus, but further than this 

 I cannot go. " 



"The bird you send for identification 

 proves to be an Umslophagus Angelicas, 

 in very fresh plumage. It is a very rare 

 bird in these parts, and appears only at 

 distant intervals. 



"Some birds, as you know, portend 

 rainy spells, or hard winters, or even fam- 

 ines, but not so with the Umslophagus. 

 He is a sure sign of extraordinary upheav- 

 als in the American Ornithologist's 

 Union Check-list, with a special leaning 

 toward ripping the nomenclature of the 

 Owls and Sparrows wide open. I judge 

 from the date of the arrival of the Utnslo- 

 phagus; that the upheaval will occur in 

 the month of July." 



In view of the variance of opinion indi- 



BOWDISHIA AMERICANA 



