1852.) 185 
may be recognized by its lengthened and strong bill, which is even stronger thar 
that of Peweaa Bachmanit. In the general character of its form it approaches 
E., Batrdit, but is colored differently, is more robust and has the bill much larger. 
3. Spermestes nigriceps, nobis. 
Form. Small, with the bill rather large’; wing with the second quill slightly 
longest; tail short, but wide and with the feathers broad. 
Dimensions. ‘Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 34 
inches, wing 13, tail 13 inches. 
~ Colors. § . Head entirely black, which color is extended to the breast and 
sides of the body, on the latter (the sides) the black plumage is tipped with 
white. Middle of the abdominal region and under tail coverts white. 
Back and wing coverts bright reddish chesnut, primary quills black with 
tegularly disposed minute spots of white on their outer webs, exposed portion 
of secondaries reddish chesnut, rump black with minute white spots, tail black. 
Bill and feet light colored (in skin.) _ 
g,or § juv. Entire plumage above brownish tinged with chesnut on the 
back, below soiled yellowish or pale whitish brown, with a few black feathers 
on the throat; primaries black edged with white ; tail brownish black. 
Hab. Zanzibar. 
Obs. Three specimens of this pretty species belong to the Rivoli collection, 
and are marked as from Zanzibar. Itis similar to no other species of Spermestes: 
with which I am acquainted, but is marked with white spots on the wings like 
S. poenstis, (Frazer). : 
4, Spermestes fuscans, nobis. 
Form. Small but robust, and with the bill very strong, wing with the first, 
scone and third quills nearly equal, tail rather long, with the central feathers 
ongest. 
Dimensions. ‘Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 33 inches, 
wing 2, tail 2 inches. . 
Colors. Entire plumage dark chocolate brown, deeper on the throat and around 
the base of the bill. Inner webs of quills paler and nearly white. Bill, horn 
color. ; 
Hab. Borneo. 
Obs. Ihave not succeeded in finding a description of this little bird, though 
specimens in the coilection of the Academy have been labelled in Europe, “ F- 
nigerrima,’ and others “ F. aterrima.”? It is not nearly related to any species 
known to me, and may be distinguished from all others by its plain uniform 
plumage. 
5. Ephialtes elegans, nobis. 
Form. Atypical species, bill rather small, wings with the third and fourth 
quills longest and nearly equal, tail rather short. 
Dimensions. Total length of skin from tip of bill to end of tail about 84 to 
inches, wing 6% tail 34 inches. 
Colors. Feathers of the ear tufts bright yellowish rufous, every feather mark- 
ed longitudinally and with irregular transverse bands, and minute points of black, 
which color is almost confined to the outer webs. Face whitish, every feather 
with irregular lines and points of brown. 
Entire plumage above pale umber brown, every feather with an obscure longi- 
tudinal stripe of brownish black and with very numeroas irregular narrow lines 
and points of the same color. Plumage of the neck behind with white spots ob- 
scurely indicating a collar. 
Inferior surface of the body handsomely mottled with white, light fulvous and 
brownish black ; the former being the ground color and every feather longitudi- 
nally striped, and with numerous narrow transverse lines and points of the latter, 
these stripes most strongly marked on the breast, and least distinct on the 
abdomen and inferior tail-coverts.. Flanks light fulvous ; tarsi reddish, with ir- 
regular lines and spots of brown. Wings and tail umber brown, the former with 
