108



A Nero Liothrix.



Some Rare African Birds. — Messrs. Gamage continue to receive

consignments of birds from South Africa, and have recently had for

sale specimens of the Cape Robin Chat (Cossyjiha caffra), Noisy Robin

Chat ( C . bicolor), White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus), Ruddy¬

breasted Bush Shrike (Laniarius rubiginosus), and Greater Puff-backed

Bush Shrike (Dryoscopus fenugineus) .



A NEW LIOTHRIX


Monsieur Delacour received from Marseilles amongst a lot of

Liothrix luteus (the common Pekin Robin, or Hill Tit) a pair of what

appears to be a new species. Both male and female have red foreheads

with orange-red on the ear-coverts and a much brighter orange-red

on the neck and upper breast. Otherwise they resemble L. luteus.


M. Delacour has proposed the name of L. astleyi, in honour of the

President of our Society, and a description appeared in the Bulletin

of the British Ornithologist’s Club, vol. xli, p. 115, April, 1921. One

imagines that it has yet to be proved whether it is a true species, or

only a glorified variety of L. lutevis, but it is significant that a male and

female should be coloured alike.



CORRESPONDENCE


AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGICAL CONTROL BOARD

Sirs, —I wish to correct a note in the March number of your Magazine

re the Australian Zoological Control Board. The Government has not

prohibited the export of unprotected birds, nor have they given this

business to any individual or officials; thousands of birds for which

there is an open season are leaving Australia, and many dealers are

sending them out. The various Governments are enforcing the various

Acts for the protection of our native birds, and will not allow rare

protected birds to be sent away as hitherto. It is probable that the

Control Board will be asked to see that such of these birds as are

required for scientific institutions abroad are sent to them under the

best possible conditions.


A. S. Le Souef.


Zoological Gardens, Sydney.


23rd May, 1921.



