BIRDS OF WESTERN AFRICA. 
Another species, No. 254, of small size and unobtrusive plumage, 
is very conspicuous, when laying among others, by its black bill, 
which catches the eye at once. It may stand provisionally as — 
D. MELANORHYNCHUS, Jaud. & Fras. (April, 1852). 
$ Above — pale grayish-brown, a broad streak from nostril to eyes, 
and around the anterior half of eyes, white ; bill, deep black. Tail 
with a darker apical hand ; rectrices, except centre, narrowly tipped 
with white. Below — white, tinted with pale sienna, darker on vent 
and under tail-coverts. 
Length, 4.2; wing, i . 9, or 9^. 
Habitat, Abomey, L . Fraser. 
Another belongs to the strong form of D. lugubris , robusta, &c.. 
of Riippell, and is very near in form and size to D. lugubris of that 
author. The bill is stronger and more curved, the head and cheeks 
are darker, and there is no eye stripe, while D. robusta seems to 
differ from it in having a longer tail. It may stand provisionally 
as — 
D. FORTIROSTRIS, Jard. & Fras. (April, 1852). 
$ Above — umber, feathers darker in centre, space between eye 
and nostril pale yellowish- brown, edges of quills at base, pale sienna. 
Tail with a dark apical band and pale tip. Bill, blackish-brown, 
strong, curved, with rictorial bristles. Beloio — white, tinted with 
sienna, darker on vent and flanks. 
Length, 5 . 3 to 7 ; wing, 2 . 7- 
Habitat, Abomey, L. Fraser . 
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