40 Meetings of flection I. 



7. Hans von Berlepsch : Ein letztes Wort über die 

 sogenannte " Ruticilla cairii." 



From observations made on birds kept in captivity, as well 

 as on those seen in a wild state, it was now conclusively 

 proved that the name Ruticilla cairii must be suppressed, 

 this supposed species being based on an immature example 

 of R. tithys. 



The black colour was not attained till the second autumn 

 moult, but birds of this species breed in the grey plumage of 

 the first year. 



8. Count von Berlepsch : Notes on Tyrannidœ. 



Count von Berlepsch said that the family Tyrannidœ was 

 one of the most difficult groups of birds within his knowledge. 

 Dr. Sclater's attempt to classify it (cf. Cat. B. Brit. Mus., 

 xiv., 1888) contained a great lmmber of mistakes, caused, 

 partly no doubt, by lack of sufficient material, and partly by 

 the vastness of the subject. 



His revision entailed a number of alterations ; for instance 

 the genera Todirostrum and Platyrhynchus should be jilaced 

 either at the beginning or end of the family. Agriornis 

 andecola was a well charactreised form, but should perhaps 

 be regarded as a subspecies of A. striata. The genus 

 Mecocerculus should be united with Ochthoeca j and M. 

 consobrimis was synonymous with Leptopogon minor. 



[The Meeting was then adjourned.] 



Saturday, 17th June. 

 The President, Dr. P. L. Sclater, F.E.S. 



9. Dr. Louis Bureau : La Perdrix grise des Pyrenees. 

 (Per dix per dix cliarrela.) 



Dr. Bureau pointed out the distinctive characters of this 

 form and exhibited specimens, as well as a comparative series 

 of feathers, showing the differences between this bird and 

 typical P. perdix. 



