420 Note on the Zoolagy , [Ave. 
accompanying some specimens presented to the Society, ‘‘ that it may 
be referred to the genus Dicrurus,; near to the Muscicapide ; and this 
not only from the form of the head and bill; but on a careful exami- 
nation of the feathers at the back of the neck, a few long ones may be 
found, more like hairs than feathers, with a small plume at the tip.” 
Mr. Hopeson has forgotten to mention these setaceous feathers ; but 
they may readily be found in the situation indicated by Mr. Pearson. 
After all, however, the bird in question, the slate-coloured shrike, 
seems to be an intermediate species, between Dicrurus and Tricophorus ; 
the strong dentated bill, and short medial setaceous feathers connect- 
ing it with the former, and the wedge-shaped, or rounded tail, with the 
latter genus. It may be observed that Mr. Pearson is inclined to 
think the species a migratory one at Midnapiar. 
In his paper on this subject of migration* Mr. Hopeson remarks : 
** T am led to conclude from what I have observed here, that the mass of the 
Grallatores and swimmers are found in the plains of India, only during the cold 
months, for they all arrive in the valley of Nipal from the north, towards and at 
the close of the rains; and all as regularly reappear from the south, upon, or 
soon after the accession of the hot weather.’ 
Further on, he says, 
“It will be noticed that the Grallatores which visit us or pass over us, are much 
more numerous than the Natatores; and, unless I am mistaken, observation in 
the plains of India would satisfactorily prove that this is a just and decisive indi- 
cation of the superior prevalence of wading over swimming birds in that extensive 
region. India, I fancy, is tao hot for the taste of the Natatores, a great majority 
of which seem to affect Arctic regions, or at least, high latitudes : I throw out the 
remark for canvas and inquiry.” 
This observation is agreeable to what we learn of the manners of 
these birds in high northern latitudes: and the hint should be taken 
by some cis-Himalayan naturalist, who will find the inquiry suggested, 
an interesting and not very laborious one. The wild swan was once 
seen in Nipal. 
The next Zoological paper, the 8th of the part, is on the wild goat 
and wild sheep of Nipal. And here again Mr. Hopeson is puzzled 
by what has puzzled all naturalists, who have studied these groups of 
the Ruminantia, from Aristorie to Hamitton Smrru ;—the line of se- 
paration between the goats and the sheep. Now to acommon man no 
doubt the matter appears easy enough ; he knows a goat from a sheep 
and vice versd any day;—but the line of separation, in spite of all 
this, is so narrow that the ancients considered the latter a hybrid 
* On the migration of the Natatores and Grallatores, as observed at Kathmandu, 
page 122, 
