REMARKS ON THE TYPE OF LIMICOLA HARTLAUBII. 85 



ders as far down as possible between the mesial pair, and measuring 

 to the tip of the latter. 



It will be seen from the table above, that the type of L. hartlaubi 

 on the whole is a trifle larger, than the two birds, with which I have 

 been able to compare it, the difference, however, not being larger than 

 between these two themselves. The only tangible difference in the di- 

 mensions is in the length of the bill, wich is considerably longer in the 

 Madagascar bird, the difference being 4 »%,. In the latter the bill also is 

 a trifle slenderer, bnt not more so than that is merely perceptible. 



The Madagascar bird is in a transitional plumage, the under parts 

 and also the head having already assumed the füll winter plumage, being 

 in every respect, identical with the winter bird from India so far as the 

 under parts are concerned. The upper parts are still in the summer 

 garb, the feathers being very worn, so that most of the feathers are 

 blackish brown with very narrow rusty edges ; the wing coverts seem 

 to belong to the winter plumage. The shafts of the primaries are some- 

 what darker in the type, (even that of the first primary in spite of Ver- 

 reaux's description), but the difference from the two other specimens is 

 not greater than it is between the two latter themselves, the shafts 

 being whitest in the bird from India. 



From the above is evident that the only real difference which I have 

 been able to discover by a most minute examination is in the size of the 

 bill. This difference is considerable, and apparent upon the first sight. 

 Whether this character, however will hold good in a large series is in- 

 possible for me to say, but I doubt it very much, leaving the decision to 

 others, who may have access to a more ample material. 



There is absolutely nothing to be gained from Verreaux's description 

 which is not only confused, as Dr. Hartlaub (Var. Madag. p. 332) justly 

 remarks, but plainly incorrect. 



Smithsonian Institution, 



Washington D. C, March 15 th - 18S4. 



