234 F. Stoliczka — Mammals and Birds inhabiting Kachh. [No. 3, 
to observe that such a marked form of a wood-pecker, as P . Maharattensis 
represents, deviates from the type on the two extreme limits of its geogra- 
phical distribution in an exactly similar manner, namely, by decreasing in 
size and adding more white to its plumage.* 
214. Eudxnamys HONOttATA, Linn. 
E. orientalis apnd Jerdon. Comp. Ibis for 1869, vol. v, p. 338 and for 1872, p. 15. 
Rare during the cold and dry seasons, but said to be very common in 
the rains, when it breeds. 
220. Taccocita sibkee. 
Above dusky brownish grey with a slight greenish lustre, which is most 
distinct on the tail, tertials, secondaries and tail feathers with close duller 
crossbars, only perceptible in certain lights ; top of head with a slight rufescent 
tinge ; feathers on head and neck black-shafted, glistening, bristly in front, 
the remainder on the upper side brown shafted ; lores and chin whitish, 
sometimes with a faint reddish tinge, above and below the eye narrowly 
white, bristles on eyelashes black, pure white at base ; upper breast ashy 
very slightly tinged with ferruginous, lower breast, vent, sides, lower wing 
coverts and tibial feathers pale ferruginous ; lower vent and lower tail coverts 
dusky ashy brown ; outer tail feathers dark brown, broadly tipped with 
white. Average measurement of 3 specimens : Wing 6 — 6’25 ; tail 9 to 
9 5 ; tarsus 16 to 17 ; bill from gape 15 inch., cherry red, yellow towards 
the tip and the upper mandible blackish at the side. 
I have seen this bird only on a few occasions ; it hides itself usually in 
Euphorbia bushes, and is most difficult to flush. Often it manages to run 
from one bush to another at a tremendously rapid pace, pressing its body 
to the ground like a rat. I have seen it feeding on insects on the ground. 
I take this opportunity of drawing attention to what appears to me to be often 
an a priori somewhat unnatural explanation of facts. When a naturalist has noticed 
and described a form which combines the characters of two .well marked races, or 
species, and the geographical distribution of which falls within the limits of the two ; 
other naturalists are, often without hesitation, ready with an explanation in stating, that 
the intermediate form is ‘ evidently a hybrid between the two.’ This in many instances 
looks very plausible, but is it natural ? or even a priori probable ? Those questions 
seem to me to require thorough study and examination. Why should we a priori 
presume .that there exist two entirely distinct types ? Does it net look more natural 
to assume a priori that the so called intermediate form within the geographical limit 
of a certain type is the typical species, and that, as it extends, it deviates in a some- 
what different manner in various directions ? and that the peculiarities acquired in 
order to maintain subsistence at certain localities may even remain constant and be 
inherited within those certain local limits ? — I think in many cases this latter explana- 
tion will prove to be the more probable ouo, although I do not by any moans wish to 
abandon altogether the former. 
