86 
Mr. II. E. Dressers Notes on 
153. Salicaria sphenura, Severtzoff, pp. 66, 128. 
Horizontal range. Breeds in district III. 
Vertical range. Is rare in summer in district I, and breeds 
in districts 2 and 3. 
At page 128 Severtzoff writes respecting tins bird as fol¬ 
lows :—“ The tail is not only rounded, but even quite sharp, 
although the central rectrices are only 3 r,r longer than the 
outer ones; for all the feathers are sharpened towards the tip 
in fresh plumage. The bill is very broad, like that of a Fly¬ 
catcher. 3rd quill longest, 2 = 6, 1st shorter than the coverts, 
or 5 >2 >6. Colour as in No. 147; but the breast is light 
yellow, not yellowish brown, and it has no superciliary stripe. 
Total length 6"-6 n 4 m , extent 8 W —8 W 4 m , wing 2" 6 //; , tail 2" 2\ ,n , 
tarsus 9 W , middle toe 5 m , culmen 4J W , breadth of bill at nos¬ 
tril lV /, -2 //, , height l" 1 . It inhabits woods along the Syr 
Darja, but is commoner in the bush and grass-covered banks 
of its tributaries to the altitude of 1000-4000 feet.” 
In concluding his remarks on the above birds (Nos. 147— 
153 inclusive), Dr. Severtzoff states that he believes them all 
to be forms of Acrocephalus streperus , and only deserving of 
subspecific rank, but that he deems it best to describe each 
form under a separate name. In this I quite agree, except 
that I think that at least Acrocephalus palustris and A. clu- 
metorum should be looked on as distinct species. The same 
view may be taken of the following species, included under 
Nos. 154-160 inclusive, which appear to be all forms of Hy - 
polais caligata and H. rama; and Severtzoff also informs me 
that this is the case; but still I have deemed it advisable to 
give his description of each form. In a note, Dr. Severtzoff 
says that in all probability Nos. 154, 155, 156, and 157 
are all identical with Hy polais rama , Nos. 158, 159, and 
160 being referable to H . caligata , but that, before he can 
positively state this to be the case, it will be necessary to make 
a critical comparison of his types. 
154. Salicaria gracilis, Severtzoff, pp. 66, 130. 
Horizontal range. Breeds in district III. 
Vertical range. Breeds in district 1. 
