80 EINAR LÖNNBERG, BIRDS. 



coverts, but Reichenow 1 has by examining a number of South- and East-African skins 

 not been able to see any difference in this respect. Oberholser 2 accepted Neumann's 

 views as to the subspecific difference of the East African specimens but regarded their 

 greater size as the main characteristic. The length of wing of the southern specimens is 

 said to be about 104 mm and that of the East African 111 — 114 mm. I have measured 

 Sundevall's type specimens and found the length of wing varying in both sexes from 

 104 to nearly 108 mm. The difference must thus be very slight if any. 



Psalidoprocne albiceps Scl. 



Rchw. II. p. 430. 



Common around the Escarpment station where it used to perch on the telegraph- 

 vvire along the railroad. 



This is an East African species distributed from Wadelai to the Nyassa district ac- 

 cording to Reichenow, but also found in the Central African Lake district. 



Musckapidae. 



Bradornis grisea Rchw. 



Rchw. II, p. 438. 



A specimen shot on the acacia-steppe at Lekiundu river 19 /3 1911 is rather small 

 with the length of wing only 79 mm, but another specimen from Luazomela river V2 1911 

 is still smaller with the wing measuring 76 mm. This latter specimen was sent to Dr. 

 Reichenow, who kindly wrote back and said that he regarded it as »Bradornis grisea 

 und zwar die von mir als microrhyncha gesonderte Varietät. Ich habe diese Form wieder 

 eingezogen, weil die Schnabelgrösse in derselben Gegend individuell sehr abändert ». It 

 is of interest to have this great variability stated. 



Bradornis grisea erlangeri Rchw. 



Rchw. II, p. 438 & III, p. 830. 



A specimen from Njoro shot 2G U has the length of wing only 75 mm, although it is 

 a male with swelled testidés. This specimen must, I think, be referred to the small 

 Somali race erlangeri. Another specimen shot at the northern bank of Guaso Nyiri below 

 Chanler Falls is a little larger but does not exceed the maximum length of wing for er- 

 langeri viz. 78 mm. In colour and outer appearance both are similar, although the latter 

 has a bigger bill. Both these specimens differ decidedly in colour from the foregoing, 

 having a purer grey tint and being purer white beneath. 



As already mentioned this subspecies belongs as far as is known to the Somali 

 fauna proper. 



1 Vogelfauna d. Mittel-Afrikan. Seen-Geb., p. 298. 

 - Proc. V. S. Nat. Mus. XXVIII. p. 932. 



