Letters , Announcements, fyc. 
103 
Nesting of Batrachostomus.—In Dr. F. Kutter’s lately 
published paper on the breeding of Bornean Birds (Journ. f. 
Orn. 1885, p. 338) will be found a very interesting account 
of the nest and eggs of Batrachostomus cornutus, of which 
figures are also given (tab. iv.). This bird makes a slight 
flat nest on the branch of a sugar-palm ( Arenga saccharifera) 
or other tree, and lays a single pure-white egg. The nest is 
composed mainly of the bhxks own feathers mixed with a 
little moss and grass. The allied forms Podargus and JLgo- 
theles are also known to lay colourless eggs. 
News from Diego Garcia, —Mr. G. C. Bourne, whose de¬ 
parture for Diego Garcia was announced in our number for 
July last (see Ibis, 1885, p. 340), has arrived safely at that 
distant spot, but does not give us much reason to hope for 
new discoveries in the bird-life of that hitherto unexplored 
islet, although there is no doubt that he will reap an abun¬ 
dant harvest in other branches of zoology. Writing on the 
30th October last, Mr. Bourne tells us that he had only found 
one true land-bird in Diego Garcia. This is said to have 
been introduced from Mauritius, and, according to his de¬ 
scription, must be a Weaver-bird of some species. Four 
kinds of Tern appear to be common and to breed in the 
island, besides which there are two or three species of Boobies 
or Gannets ( Sula ). At the date of his letter Mr. Bourne 
had not seen any species of Tropic-bird ( Phaethon ), but had 
been informed of its occasional occurrence. Mr. Bourne^s first 
consignment of specimens is expected to arrive very shortly. 
New Ornithological Works in Progress. —Dr. A. B. Meyer 
of Dresden has in preparation a monograph of the European 
Grouse and their various local forms, which will be illustrated 
by about ten folio coloured plates, to be prepared by the well- 
known zoological artist G. Miitzel. The work is dedicated 
to the Crown-Prince Budolf of Austria. 
Mr. H. E. Dresser is at work on a monograph of the 
Boilers, to form a companion volume to the f Bee-eaters,’ 
of which the last part is now in the press. About thirty 
