PHEDINA BRAZZ^, Oustaht. 



DE BEAZZA'S STRIPED SWALLOW. 



Pheclina brazzce, Oustalet, Le Naturaliste, July 1886, p. 300. 



P. similis P. madagascariensi, sed subtus omnino alba, nigro striolata, gutture miaime cineraceo 

 distinguenda. 



Hab. in regione Cougica Africse occidentalis. 



Adult male. All the upper surface of the body silky brown, slightly glossed with green on the wings 

 and tail, and slightly streaked in an in-egular manner with brown on the head and back ; the 

 chin, throat, and abdomen are of a silvery white, with very well-defined brown streaks on the 

 centre of the feathers. These streaks, very fine on the throat and breast, become rather larger 

 on the flanks, and especially on the under tail-coverts; they are also distinguishable, but less 

 distinctly marked, on the under wing-coverts : " bill, feet, and iris bronze " [De Bra^za) . Total 

 length about 7 inches, wing 3*9, tail 2*2. {E. Oustalet.) 



Hab. Nganciou station. River Congo. 



The discovery of a species of Pheclina in the Congo Eegion is a very interesting fact, as 

 the genus has hitherto been supposed to be peculiar to Madagascar and tiic Mascarcue 

 Islands. 



When we were in Paris last we had only time to lake a hurried look at the type of 

 P. hrazzcB, and were not able to compare it critically with P. horhonlca ; but it certainly 

 appeared to be a true Phedina, and quite distinct from P. horhomca and P. y/idch'i/o.s- 

 cariensis. It is a much smaller bird than the two last-named species, and lias no grey 

 on the throat, the under surface being entirely white with blackish streaks. 



The type specimen, marked a male, was obtained by M. de Erazza at a jiost called 

 Ganciu or Nganciou, on the Congo, on the 19th of July, 1881'. 



The figure in tiie Plate has been drawn I'ruin a sketcli of llic typical specimen made 

 for us by Mr. Keulemans when he was last in Paris. Tlic description has been translated 

 from the original one of Dr. Oustalet. 



Eor the geographical distribution of tliis species, cldc iiij'rh. Plate I."! [ Map]. 



;? L 



