1855.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 257 



*Emberiza septemsteiata, Ruppell. Abyssinia. 



*Serinus (?) stkiolatus (Pyrrhula striolata, Riippell). Female, from 

 Abyssinia. This bird combines the beak of a Caepodacus, with the 

 plumage of a Serin, Crithagea, or Siskin. The species of the true 

 Canary-bird type, or Ceithagea of Swainson, Dr. Ruppell refers to 

 Seeinus.* 



# Ceithagea nigeiceps (Serinus nigriceps, Riippell). Two males. 

 Abyssinia. 



*Ce. xanthopygia (Serinus xanthopygius, Riippell). Abyssinia. 



* His S, tristriatus, however, we consider to be a Passer ; and may here 

 add, that the S. aurifrons, nobis, Catal. No. 681, proves to be identical with 

 Passer pusillus, Pallas, and will now stand as Serinus pusillus. We have not 

 the European Serin (S. meridionalis, C. L. Bonap.), for comparison; but M. 

 de Selys Longchamps informs us that the beak of S. pusillus resembles that of 

 S. meridionalis when viewed laterally, but is a little less bulged, as seen from 

 above. The beak of S. (?) striolatus is probably even more bulged, as viewed from 

 above, than that of S. meridionalis ; but we suspect that Serinus (as founded 

 on the European bird, Fringilla serinus, L.), is the modern genus or sub-genus 

 with which it best accords. 



S. pusillus has hitherto been only known to inhabit the high mountains of W. 

 Asia ; and according to Pallas is common upon the Caucasus and about the Cas- 

 pian sea. In summer it is found near the snow-line, together with Montifrin- 

 gilla nivalis and Ruticilla erythrogastra ; descending in winter to the 

 sub-alpine regions of Persia. S. meridionalis is " common in Asia Minor, 

 visiting the plains in flocks during the winter." (Strickland). 



Our specimens of S. pusillus were procured by Capt. T. Hutton and by L. C. 

 Stewart, Esq., in the vicinity of Masuri, in different winters; and Capt. Hutton 

 lately informed us, that he had "fallen in with it this winter (1854-5), after an 

 interval of many years. It appeared to be always in pairs, and like our Siskin 

 and Goldfinch is very fond of alighting upon the tall coarse nettles which abound 

 here. They are merely winter birds at Masuri, and seem to have left about the 

 middle of February." In summer, we are informed by Lt. Speke, of the 46th 

 B. N. I., that "it is found in Spiti and Ladakh at an altitude of from 10 to 13,000 

 ft., but not in such quantities as Pyrrhospiza punicea ; more than 2 or 3 being 

 seldom seen at a time ; and like the Goldfinch they are not confined to a distinct 

 locality." 



So far as we can remember, the genus Pyrrhuloides, nobis, J. A. 8. XIII, 

 951, founded on Pyrrhula epauletta, Hodgson, As. Res. XIX, 156, is nearly 

 affined to Serinus, and intermediate to that genus and true Pyrrhula. (S. 

 pusillus is the type of the division Metaponia, C. L. Bonap., Comptes Rendus, 

 XXXVII (1853), p. 917). 



2 l 2 



