116 EINAR LÖNNBERG, BIRDS. 



there is no difference between eastern specimens and the type from Fernando Po. 

 The same bird was also very common in the dense forests at Meru borna where specimens 

 were shot in January and March 1911, and this locality is probably the north-eastern boun- 

 dary-line for its distribution, because beyond this place the forests cease for the acacia- 

 steppe. Iris brown. 



In specimens shot the last days of January the testidés were swelled. 



Pycnonotus layardi Gurn. 



Rchw. III, p. 423. 



Verv common around Nairobi among bushes and in forests, where the trees leave 

 open spaces between them, in gardens and similar localities. 



Some males were there found to have swelled testidés the first days of January. 



Common also at the Escarpment station, at Juja farm, Fort Hall, Meru borna etc. 



Oberholser 1 has given a new subspecific name »Pycnonotus layardi micrus» to the 

 East African Bulbul which is said to be similar to »Pycnonotus layardi layardi» from South 

 Africa »but very much smaller». According to Oberholser' s measurements the length 

 of wing in five males of the southern Bulbul varies from 97 to 101 mm.; the length of the 

 tail from 85 to 93 mm.; the length of the exposed culmen from 16,5 to 18,6 mm. On the 

 other hand P. 1. micrus exhibits in five males a variation in the length of wing from 84 to 

 94 mm., in the length of tail from 73 to 83 mm.; and in the length of the exposed culmen 

 from 14 to 15 mm. 



For comparison I have measured some specimens in my collection and then found: 



Length of: 

 wing tail culmen 



Male from Nairobi 27 /i2 1910 93 mm 81,5 mm 15,.-} mm 



e /i 1911 99 — 100 » 90 16,7 » 



Specinien sex unknown from Juja 20 /i 1911 . 95 » 86 16,5 » 



Male from Escarpment 18 /i 1911 96 » 90 17 » 



Female » » u /i 1911 .... . 94 » » 16 



12 /i 1911 91 85 17 



It might be concluded from these measurements that the difference in size between 

 the southern, and the northern specimens is not a constant characteristic. 



Although usually seen in bushes this Bulbul also may be observed in the crowns of 

 big trees. One evening at Juja farm I saw a bird of this species, as I proved by shooting 

 it, ascend in the air from the top of a tree, and then return again in the same manner as a 

 Bee-eater. 



Pycnonotus dodsoni Sharpe. 

 Rchw. III, p. 425. 



I met with this little Bulbul for the first time at Guaso Nyiri among the poplar-like 

 trees which fringe that river. Somewhat låter it was also found f urther north at the water 



1 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 28, 1905, p. 891. 



