238 The Museum Gazette 



not so even in our specimen. A side view reveals nothing, and 

 an observer who had examined our bird with the especial object 

 of finding injury, reported that there was none. More careful 

 inspection, from below, however, made it certain that the tip 

 of the lower beak was gone. This statement shows not only 

 that a very slight injury may suffice, but that we must receive 

 with caution all reports which are inconsistent with prob- 



ability when no opportunity is afforded for personal verifica- 

 tion. It may almost be asserted that it is a safe rule to 

 believe what is probably true in spite of any evidence to the 

 contrary. It would be of great interest to know whether 

 Messrs. Henderson can give any additional information as to 

 their specimen. 



For the present our creed is that when one mandible is 

 overgrown it is always in consequence of injury to the other. 

 We invite confutation, but we must ask to be allowed to see 

 the specimens. 



