NOTE 
ON 
GENUS DR 0 M A S, Paykul. 
We have a letter from Mr. Blyth of Calcutta, containing some 
remarks on the Dromas ardeola of Paykul, which will be interesting 
to Ornithologists, whatever may be the place ultimately assigned to 
it in our system. 
“ I have received (from Ceylon) an immature specimen of Dromas 
ardeola , which I think reveals the true affinity of this extraordinary 
genus, which could never bo approximated to any genuine Grallce. 
It is neither more nor less than a Tern of most anomalous and 
extraordinary proportions, most nearly affined to the gull-billed 
form, Gelochelidon, just as the Flamingo is a remarkable form of 
Anatidce. Now the Gulls and Terns, as a great group, are de- 
cidedly nearly affined to that constituted by the Plovers and Snipes, 
as exhibited by their anatomy, eggs, young, &c., and also by the 
seasonal changes of Hydroclielidon , Sterna melanog aster , &c., as 
compared with those of various Plovers and Tringse.” 
We hope soon to be able to give figures of the young or immature 
state of this bird as well as of the eggs. 
27 
