THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
occur in this species, they do not seem to be of a very marked character ; 
the length of the black patch on the wing-coverts also varies in different 
specimens, and more considerably so than the general dimensions. . . . 
E. k^poleucus, though nearly allied to E. cceruleus, is certainly distinct, at 
least subspecifically, has an oceanic range, which is particularized in Mr. 
Sharpe’s volume, and which is geographically intermediate between the 
eastern limit of E. cceruleus and the most northerly appearance of E. axillaris. 
Mr. Sharpe gives the habitat of the last-named species as Australia only, 
but according to Mj. Gould, it occurs as far northwards as Java, where, 
however, it appears to be much scarcer than E. hypoleucus ; and, in con- 
firmation of Mr. Gould’s assertion, I may mention that the Norwich Museum 
possess a nearly adult specimen which was brought to this country by the 
celebrated traveller Madame Pfeiffer, who obtained it (as I was informed at 
the time) during her visit to the island of Java. In this specimen the 
measurements of the wing, tail and external black wing patch slightly exceed 
those of any Australian example which I have examined^ and the grey on 
the back is somewhat darker than is usual in Australian specimens, with 
which, however, it appears to agree in all other respects. The two Australian 
Elxmi [E. axillaris and E. scriptus) are both remarkable for the great paleness 
of the grey tints of the upper-surface, and this circumstance appears to me 
to constitute the most marked and constant distinction between E. axillaris 
and the American E. leucurus, which (as the later described species) should 
be considered a subspecies of E. axillaris.'*'* 
It is probable that Dr. Hartert, dealing with Palsearctic birds, may have 
recognised subspecies of E. cceruleus, but this part, if issued, is not available 
to me. Upon carefully considering the matter with the antiquity of the 
genus Elanus fuUy admitted, I still maintain that the small, apparently 
minute, distinctions seen in this genus must be regarded as of specific rank. 
I have observed the variation in size and colour and therefore at the present 
time dismiss E. a. parryi as a validly recognisable subspecies. Were longer 
series available it might be upheld, but I observe great difference in coloration 
between specimens obtained at the same place and also note South American 
examples, as quoted by Gurney and Ridgway, sometimes very closely 
approximate to Australian. 
It may be that E. scriptus is slightly larger than E. notatus, but the 
measurements are very close. The evolution of these two forms is 
problematical. I cannot account for the production of the black patch on 
the inner wing-coverts in any satisfactory manner. All the theories are upset 
by the fact that both species possess it. If we suppose that the one with the 
most black is more an interior bird as records suggest, we cannot account for 
