114 
Letters^ Announcementsy ^c. 
the characters which seem to point to evidently natural genera 
are so slight^ that we are not in a position to reject arbitrarily 
any, whether based on colour or structure, that may serve our 
purpose. If the Trochilidse are to be divided into any thing 
approaching the number of genera that have been proposed 
for them, we cannot afford to set aside any characters which, 
even if slight, have the merit of being definite. 
IX.— Letters, Announcements, ^c. 
Mr. A. O. Hume sends us the following letter, and with it 
four skins of Indian birds for examination :— 
Gentlemen, —The Marquis of Tweeddale recently addressed 
you a letter about Pellorneum tickelli. 
I do not see that any advantage would result to ornithology 
from entering into any controversy with his Lordship; but 
it is desirable that the distinctness or otherwise of the species 
referred to should be established. 
I send you separately, for inspection, a specimen of what 
I identify as P. tickelli —a bird that occurs equally in Burmah 
and Assam. I trust you will kindly state, at the same time 
as you publish this letter, your views as to this supposed 
species. 
There are a good many supposed species tt^e validity or 
otherwise of which it would be satisfactory to determine. I 
venture to forward, for your inspection, specimens of three 
of these besides the Pellorneum; and should you approve my 
proposals in this matter, I shall be glad to forward, from time 
to time, other specimens of similarly doubtful species. 
A second species of which I send a specimen is Trichastoma 
minor, Hume, S. F. ii. 535, Oct. 1874. Is this identical with 
Drymocataphus fulvus, Wald. Ann. & Mag. N. H. June 1875, 
401, or with Turdinusgaroensis^ Godw.-Aust. J. A. S. B. xliii. 
160, pi. viii. 1874 (read May 6th, published — ?) ? or is it 
possible that all three are the same ? I may mention that 
this species is very variable in the extent of pale shafting to 
the feathers of the head, and in the colour of the lower parts. 
