206 MORGAN — Notes on the Genvs Eptliiannra. 



individual variation in E. albifrons is from 3.50 m.m. to 6 m.ni., 

 and in E. tricolor, 4 to 5 m.nij. 



E. tricolor has shorter first primaries. The first primary 

 was measured with compasses from insertion to tip. It 

 varies in E. albifrons from 11.50 to 17 m.m., and in E. tricolor, 

 from 8 to 16. The average of E. albifrons being 13.83, and in 

 E. tricolor, 11.75 — a difference of 2,12 m.m. in favour of 

 E. albifrons. This difference is much less than the individual 

 variation, and a longer series might easily reverse the order, 

 as it is quite easy to pick out specimens of E. albifrons with 

 much shorter primaries than others of E. tricolor. 



E. aurifrons has a more curved bill. This is wrong. The 

 curvature of the bills was estimated by making a tracing of 

 the culmen on paper, joining the ends of the curve by a 

 straight line, and measuring the height of the arc. There is 

 no difference in the curvature of the bills. 



E. aurifrons has a shorter wing. This is correct. The 

 average length of the wing measured from carpus to tip is in 

 E. albifrons, 68.5 m.m., in E. -tricolor, 66.90 m.m., and in E. auri- 

 frons, 62.91 m.m., or 5.61 n^m. in favour of E. albifrons. 



E. aurifrons has a more rounded wing. This is a matter 

 of opinion. Personally, I think it is somewhat more rounded, 

 while others whose opinion I have asked think that there is 

 no difference. The difference at any rate is very slight, and 

 if present, is brought about by the relative greater length of 

 the seventh primary. The wing formula of the three species 

 is otherwise identical, viz. — third, fourth, and fifth primaries 

 longest and practically co-equal, 2nd and 6th co-equal, and 

 slightly shorter. It is, however, not constant. In some 

 specimens, the third, and in some the fourth is absolutely 

 the longest by the fraction of a m.m. It even differs in the 

 two wings in some skins. 



E. aurifrons has comparatively longer first primaries. 

 This is correct. The average length of the first pri- 

 mary is 12.84 m.m., varying from 11 to 16 m.m. There is 

 therefore, no material difference in the actual length from the 

 other two species, but as the wing is shorter, the first primary 

 is necessarily relatively longer than in them. 



E. aurifrons has more slender legs. This is wrong. 

 There is no difference in the thickness of the legs in the three 

 species. These parts do not admit of accurate measurement 

 in skins, as the epidermis dries in wrinkles, and the legs are 

 not of equal diameter throughout their length. 



