494 Mr. H. F. Witherby on Birds from the 
S.W. Persia,, and which has been separated by M. Zarudny 
nnder the name of Syrnium sancti-nicolai (Orn. Monatsb. 
1905, p. 49). 
The Tawny Owl seems a rare bird in Persia. 
Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). [*B. 116. *W. 1903, p. 560; 
1907, p. 77.] 
? . March 12, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 
“ Quite common on the low ground near the coast; we 
often put up five or six at one spot.”—R. B. W. 
Alcedo ispida bengalensis (Tacz.). 
£. Feb. 23, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 
“Not uncommon in Mazandaran and to be seen in the 
gardens of Tehran; the only species of Kingfisher observed.”—■ 
R. B. W. 
This specimen, owing to its small size (wing 73 mm.), 
must be referred to this form, although it is curious that 
according to Blanford the Kingfisher of the Persian Plateau 
appears to be of the typical form. 
Coracias garrulus L. [B. 125. W. 1903, p. 559; 
1907, p. 78.] 
A male from the Elburz Mts. (near Demavend, alt. 7500 ft.), 
on April 28. 
“ Plentiful round Tehran ; we were probably too early for 
them on the north side of the mountains.”—R. B. W. 
Picus martius L. 
$ . Feb. 27, S. coast, Caspian Sea. 
“ A single pair was seen, but afterwards we several times 
heard a note which we thought might have been that of this 
species.”—R. B. W. 
The Black Woodpecker does not appear to have been 
recorded previously from Persia, although its presence in the 
Caspian Provinces is not unexpected. 
Dendrocopus major p(elzami (Bogd.). 
Four from the S. coast of the Caspian Sea in February. 
“Very plentiful throughout the wooded country both on 
the plain and in the hills.”—R. B. W. 
