Thibetan Zoology. 561 



and breast. Lastly, the ruddy parts just named are deeper and more 



fixed in colour in Nigrirostris, not variable and shading towards 



iridescent blue or plum-bloom, as in Mystaceus. 



All the above distinctions are very noticeable, particularly so the 



superior length of the wings and tail in Mystaceus, and his bright 



coralline upper mandible, though the latter mark belongs only 



to maturity, and hence room has been afforded to allege a want of 



care in the original discrimination of the two species. Mr. Hodgson, 



however, I suspect was sufficiently familiar with the youthful as well 



as mature aspect of both birds, and with the changes they undergo in 



advancing to maturity ; and at all events, the above stated facts seem 



to leave no room for further doubt that Nigrirostris is really a 



distinct species. My servant's birds were procured in the vicinity 



of the Rajmahal hills, so that these two species would seem to be 



found in most parts of the continent of India, having mountains in 



their vicinity ; for all the Paroquets love the shelter of hills, and 



breed there exclusively, though they wander a good deal in the cold 



season, especially in the plains. 



I am, &c, 



Amicus. 



Critique on Dr. Jameson's Zoology of Chinese Tartary * 

 In the 27th Number of the " Calcutta Journal of Natural History" 

 was inserted a letter from the pen of Dr. W. Jameson, containing 

 observations on the Zoology of Chinese Tartary, and as that letter 

 contains errors, which if not corrected, might probably, from the 

 writer's position, be received in Europe as facts, we have deemed it 

 necessary to send you a short critique thereon, to which we shall 

 feel obliged by your giving an early insertion. 



Dr. Jameson starts for Chinese Tartary, via the Neetee Pass, and 

 finds " limestone filled with organic remains," — as many other tra- 



* Mr. Jameson's observations were only entitled " Extract of a letter, <Jfc." 

 in such communications, style and strict accuracy, are less to be expected 

 than in papers of more pretension. In this point of view, perhaps the critique 

 may be somewhat misplaced, although otherwise perfectly fair, and, in itself, 

 very valuable. — Ed. 



4 D 



