[1] The most important of these lists are the following:
Martens, E. V.: [Title not seen] Jour. für Ornith. (1866), 8-31.
Walden, Viscount: A List of Birds Known to Inhabit the Philippine
Archipelago. Trans. Zool. Soc. London (1875), 9, pt. 2, 125-252,
pls. 23-34.
Ramsay, R. G. W.: Revised List of the Birds Known to Occur in the
Philippine Islands, Showing their Geographical Distribution. Appendix,
pp. 653-660, to the Ornithological Works of Arthur, Ninth Marquis of
Tweeddale. London (1881).
Elera, R. P. Fr. Casto de: Aves. Catalogo Sistematico de toda la
Fauna de Filipinas. Manila (1895), 1, 52-398.
Worcester, D. C. and Bourns, F. S.: A List of the Birds Known to
Inhabit the Philippine and Palawan Islands, Showing their Distribution
within the Limits of the Two Groups. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Washington
(1898), 20, 549-566.
McGregor, R. C. and Worcester, D. C.: A Hand-List of the Birds of
the Philippine Islands. Bur. Govt. Labs. Manila (1906), No. 36, 1-121.
[2] Very full references to literature may be found in Catalogue of
the Birds in the British Museum and in Catalogue of the Collection
of Birds' Eggs in the British Museum (Natural History).
[3] Sharpe, R. B.: A Hand-List of the Genera and Species of
Birds. London (1899-1903), 1-4, Vol. 5 in press.
For other systems of classification the following may be consulted:
Huxley, T. H.: On the Classification of Birds; and on the Taxonomic
Value of the Modifications of Certain of the Cranial Bones observable
in that Class. Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1867), 415-472.
Stejneger, L.: Standard Natural History. Boston (1885), 4, Birds
(part). An outline of Stejneger's scheme of classification may be
found in the Zoological Record (1885), 22, pt. Aves. 14-18.
Fürbringer, M.: Untersuchungen zur Morphologie und Systematik
der Vogel, Zugleich ein Beitrage zur Anatomie der Stütz- und
Bewegungsorgane. Royal Zoological Society, Amsterdam (1888). For
reviews of Fürbringer's classification see Gadow, Nature (1888), 39,
150-152; 177-181, and Evans, Zool. Record, Aves (1888), 25, 14-16.
Evans, A. H.: Cambridge Natural History, Birds. New York and London
(1900), 9, XI-XVI (Scheme of Classification).
Gadow, H.: On the Classification of Birds. Proc. Zool. Soc. London
(1892), 229-256.
Dubois, A.: Synopsis Avium. Brussels (1899-1904), 1-1339, pls. 1-16.
Ridgway, R.: The Birds of North and Middle
America. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. Washington (1901), No. 50, pt. 1, 1-12.
Clark, H. L.: The Classification of Birds. Auk (1901), new ser.,
18, 370-381.
Shufeldt, R. W.: An Arrangement of the Families and Higher Groups of
Birds. Am. Naturalist (1904), 38, 833-857.
[4] It is a matter of difficulty to distinguish between the soft short
tail-feathers and the long, overhanging coverts; in this species,
therefore, it is more convenient to measure from base of tail to tip
of longest covert.
[5] The status of Gallus stramineicollis, described from a specimen
collected in Sulu by Burbidge, is somewhat doubtful; Grant considers
it a domestic bird. The original description follows:
"General color above black, shot with green and purple; wing-coverts
like the back, the innermost and the scapulars with a slight
subterminal shine of coppery brown; primary-coverts and primaries
black, the secondaries externally green; feathers of the lower back
and rump straw-yellow, with darker longitudinal centers of black or
green; upper tail-coverts and tail glossy oil-green; crown of head
and nape black; hind-neck and neck-hackles, as well as sides of neck,
straw-yellow, deeper on the hind-neck, with green longitudinal centers
to the feathers; remainder of under surface of body black with a
green gloss; comb short and rounded; sides of face and entire throat
bare. Total length 34.5 inches [876 mm.], culmen 1.1 [28], wing 9.0
[229], tail 17.5 [445], tarsus 3.4 [86]."
[6] Birds from some of these localities may be M. langhornei.
[7] It is possible that all the records of Ptilocolpa for Mindanao
should be referred to P. mindanensis.
[8] Whitehead's diagnosis is as follows: "Similis P. griseipectori
(Bp.), sed plaga præpectorali nigra, nec cinerea, facile
distinguenda. Long. tot. 13.0 poll., alæ 8.3, caudæ 4.8, tarsi 0.85."
[9] The order Colymbiformes as used here is equivalent to order VIII
Podicipedidiformes of Sharpe's Hand-List and not order IX Colymbiformes
of that work. Tachybaptus Reichenbach is to be used for the genus
or subgenus Podiceps Latham. Cf. Stone, Auk (1907), 24, 190; Allen,
Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. (1907), 24, 24.
[10] Mr. W. Eagle Clarke informs me that he has received a specimen
of the Philippine grebe from Panay.
[11] As the Bureau of Science collection contains very few specimens
belonging to the order Lariformes and as these are winter specimens
only, the greater part of the specific descriptions of Philippine
gulls and terns are copied from Saunders's excellent work, in volume
25 of the Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum.
[12] Cf. Bureau, Bull. Soc. Sci. Nat. Ouest France (1904), 14, 227-256.
[13] While I have examined specimens of nearly all the species in
this order which are known to occur in the Philippine Islands the
material available to me is unsatisfactory as a basis for specific
descriptions. This is due to the fact that most of the species under
consideration are migrants and can be taken in the Philippines in
non-breeding plumage only. Rather than present descriptions based
upon inadequate material I have included here numerous quotations
from Sharpe's monograph of the Limicolæ (Catalogue of Birds in the
British Museum, volume 24) and from other standard works.
[14] The Ticao specimen was listed as Numenius arquata, McGregor and
Worcester, Hand-List, p. 24; it is really a specimen of N. variegatus.
[15] "Ocrophus" is said to be a misprint.
[16] Cf. Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. (1907), 24, 20.
[17] See also footnote under Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, p. 179.
[18] Cf. Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. (1907), 24, 36.
[19] Stejneger, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Wash. (1887), 10, 289, places
this species in his subgenus Nannocnus and gives the following key:
a1. Tibiæ feathered nearly to the heel-joint; longest tail-feathers
longer than middle toe without claw (Ardetta). ... A. sinensis
a2. Tibiæ naked at the lower end, longest tail-feathers shorter than
middle toe without claw (Nannocnus).
b1. Quills and tail-feathers blackish. ... A. eurhythma
b2. Quills and tail-feathers cinnamon-rufous. ... A. cinnamomea
The characters of Nannocnus seem to be, as stated by Stejneger,
of no more than subgeneric value.
[20] All of the species of ducks here enumerated, except Marila marila,
are represented in the Bureau of Science collection by specimens taken
in the Philippine Islands, but with the exception of the abundant
Dendrocygna arcuata these are adults only, in winter plumage. I have
constructed keys and diagnoses from this material but for detailed
descriptions I have depended almost entirely upon Salvadori's monograph
in volume 27 of the Catalogue of Birds in the British Museum.
[21] The white-faced tree duck, Dendrocygna viduata (Linnæus), has
been recorded as a Philippine species; I believe it should be omitted
from our list.
[22] Mr. W. Eagle Clarke informs us that he has received a specimen
of this duck from Negros.
[23] The Phæthontidæ have the nostrils open and the interramal
space feathered. No member of this family has been reported from the
Philippine Islands.
[24] Through the interest of Mr. William Edmonds, teacher in the
Batanes, a specimen of the tic-wee buzzard from Batan has been sent to
the Bureau of Science. We are under obligations to Mr. Otto Sheerer for
two live specimens of this species which were caught in Batan. Still
another tic-wee buzzard was captured on board the U. S. S. Albatross
in the vicinity of Camiguin Island, north of Luzon.
[25] The Sibuyan specimen was recorded as Falco peregrinus in
Publ. Govt. Labs. (1905), 25, 11.
[26] Sharpe's diagnosis is as follows: "F. similis F. melanogeni,
sed nigricantior, subtus ubique cinereo adumbratus, et
subalaribus axillaribusque nigris, lineis parvulis albis
transfasciatis. Long. tot. 15.5 poll., alæ 11.6, caudæ 5.5, tarsi 1.9."
[27] "The length of the bill varies considerably, some specimens,
measured from the anterior margin of the cere, being only 30,
others 34."
[28] Sharpe's diagnosis and remarks on this species are as follows:
"S. similis S. umbratili, sed multo minor et omnino saturate brunnea,
modo Scopino vermiculata et notata, sed regione auriculari rufo-brunnea
concolore, et fasciis frontalibus et cervicalibus pallidis obsoletis.
"The above diagnosis well expresses the relations of this dark-colored
Scops owl, which is more dingy in color than any species I know."
[29] Sharpe's diagnosis is as follows: "S. similis S. mantananensis
sed alis extus vix albo notatis, et remigibus intus vix fasciatis
distinguenda. Long. tot. 8.0 poll., alæ 6.0."
[30] "This bird is described as being most probably the same as the
typical Sumatran N. scutulata (Raffl.)."
[31] Sharpe's diagnosis of this species follows: "Similis
N. reyi, sed maculis pallidis primariorum paucis fulvescentibus,
minime albo quadratim notatis, et abdomine, hypochondriis,
et tibiis ochrascentifulvis, nec albis brunneo maculatis
distinguenda. Long. tot. 9.5 poll., alæ 7.7."
[32] "Quant a la Chouette qui provient du meme [Sulu] archipel, on
peut la distinguer immédiatement de l'espèce commune des Philippines
(Ninox philippensis) par sa taille plus forte (o m. 29), par ses
ailes beaucoup plus longues et depassant même l'extrémité de la quene,
et enfin par son plumage roux, rayé transversalement de brun sur la
tete et sur les épaules. Par ce dernier caractère, la chouette des
îles Sooloo, que pourra être appelée Ninox Reyi, ressemble en peu
au Glaucidium ou Athene cuculoides de l'Indo-Chine, espèce dont les
ailes sont, du reste, beaucoup moins developpées." (Oustalet.)
[33] The descriptions given above are from a copy of the original,
the essential part of which follows:
"Ich beschreibe ein altes vollausgafärbtes Weibchen dieser Eule wie
folgt: Oberher rötlichbraun, schwach ins Olive spielend. Oberkopf,
Kopfseiten, Hinterhals, Halsseiten und Mantel heller fahlrötlich schmal
gebändert; auf Unterrücken und Bürzel wird diese Bindenzeichnung
undeutlich, so dass diese Teile nahezu einfärbig erscheinen. Kinn
hell. Kehlfedern hellfahl mit dunklen Schaflstrichen. Brust und Bauch
auf lebhaft rotbraunem Grunde schmal schwärzlich gebändert. Flügelbug
weiss. Skapularen und grosse Flügeldeckfedern mit einigen grösseren
mattweissen Flecken auf der Aussenfahne. Schwingen erster Ordnung:
Innenfahne einfärbig schwärzlich, Aussenfahne mit breiteren
dunkelbraunen und schmaleren rötlichfahlen Bindenflecken. Auf den
Tertiärschwingen erscheinen sehr undeutlich breite, dunklere Binden und
längs des Randes der Aussenfahne hellfahle Fleckenspuren. Schwanzfedern
mit gleichbreiten bräunlichen und dunkleren Binden. Untere
Schwanzdecken hellfahl. Innere Flügeldecken hellbraunrötlich mit
dunklerer Fleckung. Beine hellgelblich. Iris gelb. Ganze Länge circa
250 mm, Flügel 169 mm, Schwanz 80 mm.
"Ein zweites Exemplar gez. [male] unterscheidet sich nur dadurch,
dass die Binden des Unterbauchs und der Hosen auf hellerem Grunde
stehen. Auch auf Brust und Epigastrium ist die rotbraune Grundfarbe
etwas heller. Flügel 168 mm, Schwanz 80 mm.
"Ein drittes Exemplar gez. [female]. Das Braunrot des Abdomen
sehr feurig mit unregelmässiger und weniger deutlicher
Bindenzeichnung. Flügel 168 mm, Schwanz 78 mm.
"Ein viertes Exemplar. Nestjunges Weibchen. Oberher
olivenbräunlich. Nur auf dem Scheitel Bindenzeichnung. Unterher
rotbräunlich mit Spuren von Binden auf der Brust. Die Federn
des Bauches zeigen dunkle Schaftstriche. Untere Schwanzdecken
hellfuchsrötlich. Die dunklen Flecken auf den Aussenfahnen der
grösseren Schwingen stehen auf hellfahlem Grunde.
"Vergleicht man die vorstehende Beschreibung von Ninox Plateni
Blas. mit den Beschreibungen von Ninox spilonotus und Ninox mindorensis
so ist das Ergebniss ein unsicheres, wenig befriedigendes. Der Umstand,
dass in der Beschreibung von Ninox spilonotus nur von Flecken und
an keiner Stelle von Bindenzeichnung die Rede ist, sowie, dass die
Innenfahnen der grösseren Schwingen als 'spotted and barred with light
rufous brown' beschrieben werden, genügt vollkommen, um jeden Gedanken
an Gleichartigkeit von N. Plateni und N. spilonotus auszuschliessen."
[34] Cf. Auk (1908), 25, 371.
[35] The validity of the following species is doubtful:
Prioniturus suluensis W. Blasius; Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 29.
Prioniturus discurus var. suluënsis Blasius, Jour. für Ornith. (1890),
140. Prioniturus suluensis Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1891),
20, 419.
Adult.--"Very much like P. discurus, from which it differs in being
larger and in the greater extension of the blue color on the crown,
where it begins from the anterior edge of the forehead and extends
to the occiput; also lores bluish green; on the nape and upper part
of the back there is a very distinct olive patch, of the same color
as the under parts. Length, 343; wing, 163; central tail-feathers,
165; lateral tail-feathers, 76; bill, 23; tarsus, 17." (Salvadori.)
"The Sulu bird (P. suluensis Blasius) has been separated on account
of its larger size and the blue on the crown being more extended,
beginning at the anterior edge of the forehead and extending to the
occiput. Its larger size (wing 165 mm.) one can appreciate, but the
supposed difference in the blue on the crown and other minor characters
mentioned are equally found in birds from Basilan, Mindanao, etc.,
so that P. suluensis can only be considered a rather larger insular
race of P. discurus, which it absolutely resembles in plumage." Grant,
Ibis (1895), 263.
The blue on the crown and forehead seems to be a variable quantity
in Prioniturus discurus and its allies and the status of suluensis
and waterstradti can only be determined when good series from various
localities are studied.
[36] In many specimens otherwise in adult plumage, the cheeks are
green, but this seems to be invaded by extension of blue from the
crown as the birds become older.
[37] The key is that of the Catalogue of Birds with slight changes.
[38] The status of the following is doubtful:
Loriculus sp. Salvadori.
Loriculus sp. Salvadori, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1891), 20,
530 (foot note); Sharpe, Hand-List (1900), 2, 36; McGregor and
Worcester, Hand-List (1906), 50.
Mindanao (Cuming).
"It is about the size of L. siquijorensis; in coloring it comes
near the female of L. apicalis, but has the red of the crown not
reaching the occiput; the tail above shows much blue towards the
tip of the lateral feathers. I add the description of the specimen,
which is not in very good condition: Green; forehead and vertex red;
nape with a slight tinge of orange; cheeks and throat blue; rump and
upper tail-coverts red; tail green above, the lateral feathers blue
towards the tip; tail underneath deep blue; bill orange. Length, 165;
wing, 98; tail, 44." (Salvadori.)
[39] The description of the male, as given by Dr. Finsch, is as
follows:
"Altes Männchen. Oberseite des Kopfes, Hals und alle unteren Theile
(einschliesslich der unteren Schwanzdecken) rostgelblichweiss;
Wangen und Ohrgegend, von letzterer in einem breiteren Bande um die
nackte Kehle sich herumziehend, braunschwarz; alle oberen Theile
(einschliesslich der oberen Schwanz- und unteren Flugeldecken)
dunkelbraun, mit schwach grünlichem Metallschimmer, der auf
den dunkleren Schwingen deutlicher hervortritt (keine hellen
Schwingensäume); Schwanzfedern schwarzbraun mit grünlichem
Metallschimmer, die zwei mittelsten Federn (etwas unterhalb der
Mitte) mit einer (25 mm.) breiten rostfarbenen Querbinde, die auf der
folgenden nur halb so breit ist, auf der nächstfolgenden nur an der
Innenfahne kleine hellrostfarbene Querflecke, die keine eigentliche
Binde bilden; die zwei äussersten Schwanzfedern jederseits einfarbig
braunschwarz; Schnabel schwarz, etwas rothbraun durchscheinend, der
Aufsatz in ein röthliches Hornbraun übergehend, das gegen die Basis
zu viel heller und etwas durchscheinend ist; auf der Basishälfte des
Oberschnabels machen sich vier schwach vertiefte Furchen bemerkbar,
die von der Mitte bis zum Schneidenrande herablaufen und sich als
senkrechte gelbliche Streifen abheben; Unterschnabel mit drei schief
nach vorn laufenden Längsrillen, von denen die basale röthlichbraun
gefärbt ist; der nackte Augenkreis schmutzig fleischröthlich; die
nackte Basis des Unterschnabels, wie die Nacktheit an Kinn und Kehle,
schmutzig gelblich; Fusse hornschwarz.
"(Im Leben: 'Iris braunroth, Schnabel braunroth mit gelben Streifen
an der Wurzel, Füsse dunkelgrau beinahe schwarz'; Eingeborenen-Name
'Talisi': van der Valk)."
[40] Cf. Oberholser, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington (1906), 19, 68.
[41] The name Salangana Saint-Hilaire, 1837, proposed by
Richmond to replace Collocalia, proves to have been used in a
vernacular sense and therefore is not available. Cf. Oberholser,
Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia (1906), 58, 178.
[42] The late Mr. H. M. Ickis, geologist, Bureau of Science, found
this species breeding in the Island of Polillo and collected nests
and eggs as well as specimens of the bird.
[43] Some authors prefer Apus Scopoli, 1777, for this genus;
Dr. Sharpe uses
Cypselus Illiger, 1811. Cf. Hartert, Das Tierreich (1897), 1, 83;
Sharpe, Hand-List,
(1900), 2, (introduction); Allen, Auk (1901), 18, 121.
[44] The young in several genera are more or less barred and can not
be determined by this key; the females in the genus Eudynamys have
the entire plumage barred and spotted.
[45] The key is modified from that given by Grant, Ibis (1896), 471.
[46] In Sharpe's Hand-List, Calayan is given as one of the localities
for this species, a slip for Catanduanes; no woodpecker is known
from Calayan.
[47] Cf. references to Clarke under Thriponax hargitti.
[48] Cf. Grant, Ibis (1896), 473, under Thriponax mindorensis.
[49] Apart from the characters presented by the tarsal envelope, this
division into suborders is fully justified by internal structures,
but as these can not be examined in skins they are omitted above.
Key to the suborders of Passeriformes based upon internal characters.
a1. Intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the middle of the
bronchial semirings, the muscles simple, small, and few. ... Mesomyodi
a2. Intrinsic muscles of the syrinx fixed to the ends of the bronchial
semirings, the muscles complex and numerous. ... Acromyodi
[50] The pittas are known to some authors as "ant thrushes" but the
latter name belongs properly to certain members of the South American
family Formicariidæ. The name "ground thrush" appears to have greater
validity as the English name for the Pittidæ, but the use of the name
"thrush" in connection with this family is misleading and unnecessary.
[51] See also the remarks on Pitta propinqua under the next preceding
species.
[52] Cf. Pitta rothschildi, page 420.
[53] Trans. Linn. Soc. 2d. ser. Zool. (1877), 1, 331.
[54] The validity of this species appears to me very doubtful; the
original description follows:
"Völlig abweichend aber präsentiert sich ein anscheinend männliches
stück aus Marinduque (Philippinen), dessen Unterseite derartig stark
mit Blau übertönt erscheint, dass von der grünen Farbe kaum noch
eine Spur sichtbar bleibt. Das Weiss der Flügels in den Schwingen
erscheint bei diesem interessanten Vogel, der zudem stärker ist wie die
beiden anderen Philippiner, in ganz exzessivem Masse entwiekelt; der
Brustfleck dagegen ist relativ klein. Das Kolorit des Steissgefieders
ist in prächtiges Karsisinrot (nicht Zinnoberrot)." (Parrot.)
[55] Some species of the swallow family are known to European authors
as sand martins, while other species are called house martins, but as,
in the United States, the name martin is closely associated with the
genus Progne, I prefer to retain the name swallow for all the species
of Hirundinidæ known from the Philippine Islands.
[56] Sharpe, Hand-List (1901), 3, 204, recognizes H. fuliginosa as
distinct from H. sibirica and gives Palawan as one of its localities. A
flycatcher collected by Platen in Palawan is recorded by Blasius as
H. sibirica and I have met with no reference to H. fuliginosa from
that Island except as given by Sharpe.
[57] The islands of Bongao and Sulu are given here on the authority
of Sharpe's Hand-List.
[58] Sharpe, Hand-List, gives the locality "Palawan (winter)" for
this flycatcher; I have not found that it is recorded from Palawan.
[59] See also Whitehead, Ibis (1899), 107.
[60] This key is slightly modified from the one given by Grant, Ibis
(1896), 542.
[61] Sharpe, Hand-List (1901), 3, 276, assigns the species
C. nigrorum and C. olivacea to Abrornis. Oates says: "Abrornis
resembles Cryptolopha in everything except the tail, which has ten
feathers instead of twelve." As the species mentioned above have
twelve rectrices I have put them in Cryptolopha.
[62] Cf. footnote under Cryptolopha olivacea, p. 474.
[63] Whitehead's diagnosis is as follows: "Similis C. montis sed
rostro crassiore et uropygio sulphureo destinguenda."
[64] There is some doubt as to the species of Artamides found in
Libagao, but it is in all probability A. mindorensis.
[65] Sharpe's diagnosis reads:
"Mas a mari E. morionis ex insula Celebensi vix diversus. Foem. tamen
gastraeo toto cinereo concolore facile distinguenda." Sharpe should
have compared the male with E. mindanense as well as with E. morio.
[66] This key can be used with adult birds only.
[67] No specimen of L. melanoleuca was collected on Semirara but
"a bird, probably of this species, was seen."
[68] Cf. Sharpe, Hand-List (1901), 3, 309. I find no record of this
Irena having been taken in Balabac.
[69] Mearns gives the following characters for this subspecies:
"Similar to the Luzon guava bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier goiavier),
but smaller, with relatively shorter tail, broader supraorbital white
stripes, and a paler auricular patch." The comparative measurements
given by Mearns are not convincing and I am not prepared to admit
the validity of this subspecies.
[70] Leonardina (p. 537) probably belongs near Mixornis and Macronous;
I have not seen it.
[71] The original description of Mixornis (=Zosterornis) plateni
follows:
"Mixornis plateni, bedeutend kleiner als M. capitalis, mit welcher
Form die Art, besonders von der Oberseite gesehen, eine gewisse
Aehnlichkeit in der Färbung besitzt.
"Oberseite olivenbraun, Bürzel und Schwanzdeckfedern mehr
rostfarben, am Vorderrücken weisse Schaftstriche. Ganzer Kopf, oben
und an den Seiten, Nacken und Brust rothbraun mit feinen weissen
Schaftstrichen. Kinn und Kehle mehr schwärzlich mit breiteren weissen
Schaftflecken. Schwanzfedern einfarbig braun, an der Aussenfahne
olivenfarben verwaschen. Ebenso die schwanz federn oberseits und die
oberen Flügeldeckfedern. Untere Flügeldeckfedern und Achselfedern
weisslich. Masse: [female] Long. tot. 12 cm. Ala 5.5 cm. Caud. 4.7
cm. Culmen 1.0 cm. Tarsus 1.5 cm. Type: Museum Brunsvicense."
[72] The original description of Macronous kettlewelli follows:
"Brunneus; dorsi plumis filiformibus, elongatis, versus basin
nigricantibus; rachide, et partibus plumæ rachidi adjacentibus,
albidis; alis fulvescenti-brunneis, exterius pallidioribus;
supracaudalibus caudaque pallide castaneis; pileo dorso concolori,
rachidibus plumarum albidis; fronte nigricante, magis distincte
striata; superciliis, loris et regione parotica nigricantibus,
albo lineatis; genis et corpore toto subtus pallide cervinis;
hypochondriis brunnescentibus; gula summa et abdomine medio
albicantibus; gutture et corporis lateribus vix albido lineatis;
subalaribus pectori concoloribus; iride smaragdinea; rostro et pedibus
brunneis. Long. tot. circa 0.140 m; al. 0.063 m; caud. 0.070 m;
rostr. 0.015 m; tars. 0.024 m." (Guillemard.)
[73] For detailed characters of the Turdidæ the reader is referred to
Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. (1881), 5, 2; and to Birds of North
and Middle America, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. Washington (1907), 50,
pt. 4, 1 to 4.
[74] This key to the Philippine species of Planesticus is taken from
a paper by Mearns, Phil. Journ. Sci. (1907), 2, sec. A, 359.
[75] Birds of the genus Planesticus are called "blackbirds" in Europe
and "robins" in the United States; as both of these names are in common
use for birds of entirely different genera I have employed the name
"black thrush" for the Philippine species of Planesticus.
[76] I use Forster's name for this rock thrush on the recommendation
of Dr. C. W. Richmond.
[77] Cf. Grant, Ibis (1896), 117.
[78] I follow Sharpe in alloting Lanius validirostris and L. nasutus to
Cephalophoneus. The type of this genus is said to be Lanius bucephalus,
a species resembling Lanius validirostris in length of tail and
turgidity of bill. These two species appear to be congeneric. In
L. nasutus, however, the tail is much longer; the rectrices are more
strongly graduated and relatively narrower. Possibly another genus
should be recognized for nasutus and suluensis.
[79] Philippine specimens of this genus have usually been referred to
Lanius (Otomela) lucionensis, but both O. cristata and O. superciliosa
are credited to the Philippines in Sharpe's Hand-List and for this
reason they are included here. Having no specimens of undoubted
identity I am unable to determine many of the specimens of shrikes in
the Bureau of Science collection. Of the last two species mentioned
I give the distribution and short descriptions on the authority
of Dresser.
The following paragraphs may be of use in distinguishing the three
species.
"L. superciliosus Latham * * * has the entire upper surface very bright
uniform rufous, a very broad frontal band, a very broad superciliary
stripe, and the throat pure white; the inner webs of the basal parts
of the primaries white underneath, which shows through on the upper
surface of the quills at their insertion, almost forming a white,
yet concealed alar bar; shoulder-edge and under shoulder-coverts
pure white.
"L. cristatus Linnæus has the head, nape, rump, upper tail-coverts, and
tail rufous, but less bright and browner than in L. superciliosus. The
back is colored with the same tint, but paler or less rufous. The
chin and upper part of the throat are white; but the tawny hue of
the breast extends higher up than in either L. superciliosus or in
L. lucionensis; and all the throat is usually washed with tawny.
"The white frontal band is narrow and ill-defined; and the white
supercilium is much less prominent than in L. superciliosus. The
quills at their insertions show indications, although slight, of a
rudimentary alar bar. The shoulder-edge and under shoulder-coverts
are tawny. The female is colored as the male, but has the subocular
stripe brown and not black and the sides of the breast and flanks
more or less striated and freckled with faint brown marks.
"L. lucionensis Linnæus has the forehead and crown delicate pale
pearl-gray, no pure white whatever on the forehead. A narrow white
supercilium commences above the eye, becoming somewhat broader behind,
and shading off into the gray of the head. The occiput, nape, and
back are ashy liver-brown. The rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail are
washed with rufous, most marked on the upper tail-coverts; the chin
and throat pure white, as in L. superciliosus; shoulder-edge and under
shoulder-coverts pure white; indications of a concealed white alar
bar, as in L. cristatus; and the female has the sexual distinguishing
characters of that species. The almost entire absence of rufous in
the plumage of the adult Philippine species suffices to distinguish
it at a glance from L. cristatus and L. superciliosus." Walden,
Trans. Zool. Soc. (1875), 9, 171, 172.
[80] "Adult male.--Similar to typical Hyloterpe apoensis, but paler
throughout, with crown brownish instead of grayish; under parts
canary-yellow instead of lemon-yellow; slightly smaller. Wing, 78;
tail, 67; culmen, 14; bill from nostril, 9.2; tarsus, 17.5. 'Iris
brown. Bill black.'
"Adult female * * *.--Paler and dingier than the male; under parts pale
canary-yellow from throat backward. Wing, 71; tail, 61; tarsus, 17.5.
"Remarks.--Specimens in the U. S. National Museum, collected on
the Island of Siquijor, Philippine Islands, by F. S. Bourns and
D. C. Worcester, are exactly like Basilan specimens taken in February,
1888, and must be included as belonging to this species. Lowland
birds from Mindanao Island connect the forms apoensis and
basilanica." (Mearns.)
Specimens from Siquijor, although larger than true H. apoensis,
seem to be nearly like this species in color.
[81] The titmouse of Sulu and Tawi Tawi is probably not true Parus
elegans.
[82] The construction of a key to the species of silvereyes is rendered
very difficult by the nature of the characters upon which a number
of the species are based. Some of the species can be determined only
by the actual comparison of specimens in fresh plumage. Immediately
following the molt, the colors are bright and yellowish, but after
a few months the feathers become much abraded and the colors become
duller, dingier and greener.
[83] The identity of Porter's Caluya specimen with Zosterops aureiloris
is somewhat doubtful.
[84] Gould's type came from "Manila," its collector is unknown
and Dicæum retrocinctum has not been found in Luzon by any recent
collector. It seems probable that the type was not collected in Luzon.
[85] Steere did not record this species from Marinduque, but in
Bourns and Worcester's MS. notes I find the remark: "Doubtless
also Marinduque." Cf. also Worcester and Bourns, Distribution List,
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Washington (1898), 20, 560, no. 361.
[86] Sharpe's original diagnosis of Dicæum sibutuense is as follows:
"D. simile, D. trigonostigmati, sed gutture saturate schistaceo,
macula dorsale aurantiaca distinguendum. Long. tot. 3.2 poll.,
culm. 0.45, alæ 2.0, caudæ 0.85, tarsi 0.5."
[87] The original diagnosis and description of Dicæum flaviventer,
from which the above description is taken, are as follows:
"Dicæum D. rubriventri Less. similis, sed parte media pectoris
abdominisque cadmiumino-flava, capite supra dorsoque virescentibus
et uropygio obscure ardesiaco distinguendum.
"Long. al. 55, caud. 30, tars. 12, culm. 10.5 mm. ([male]).
"Hab. Insula Philippinarum Cebú.
"Kopf, Oberrücken und Flügeldecken grünlich schwarz mit etwas
Glanz. Schwingen schwärzlichbraunn, die Secundaren mit grünlich
glänzenden Rändern auf der Aussenfahne. Unterrücken und schwanzdecken,
dunkel schieferfarbig. Schwanz schwarz. Kehle vorn und an den Seiten
weiss, untere Kehle und Brust, sowie die Seiten des Unterkörpers hell
aschgrau, in der Mitte desselben ein schöner cadmiumgelber, bis 6 mm
breiter Streif (Ridgway: cadmium-yellow Pl. VI, 6), nach dem After
zu in Weiss übergehend; untere Schwanzdecken, Axillaren und untere
Flügeldecken weiss, die äusseren mit einem schwärzlichen Fleck in
der Mitte. Hosen aussen weiss, hinten terminal schwärzlich. Füsse
braun. Schnabel schwarz, kräftig."
[88] Celestino's specimens were recorded by mistake as Dicæum papuense,
Phil. Jour. Sci. (1906), 1, 907.
[89] I have not seen the females of C. guimarasensis and C. flagrans.
[90] "Characters.--Most closely resembling Cyrtostomus jugularis
jugularis of Luzon, but slightly larger, with the upper parts
olive-green instead of brownish olive-gray; under parts nearly uniform
lemon-yellow instead of canary-yellow." (Mearns.)
[91] "Characters.--Smaller than Cyrtostomus jugularis aurora,
C. jugularis jugularis, or C. jugularis dinagatensis, old males
differing from all three in the metallic reflections on the middle
of the dark metallic plastron, which are bluish and violet instead
of green-blue; under parts shading very gradually from rich orange,
adjoining the dark metallic plastron, to clear yellow on the crissum
and under tail-coverts; back a more golden olive-green than in the
other Philippine forms; forehead, lores, and superciliary stripe
solid metallic violet purple." (Mearns.)
[92] Hartert's remarks on Anthreptes malaccensis wiglesworthi are
as follows: "Kopfseiten fast so roth wie bei rhodolaema, Unterseite
wie bei chlorigaster (siehe oben). (Meinem zu früh verstorbenen
ornithologischen Freunde Wiglesworth gewidmet, der mit A. B. Meyer
zusammen in den 'Birds of Celebes' interessante Notizen über diese
Gruppe gab.) Sulu Inseln. Typus Tring Museum, Sulu I. v. '83, Powell
coll. Alle Stücke von den Sulu Inseln, die ich sah, sind ohne Zweifel
zur gleichen Form zu rechnen."
[93] Philippine specimens of this genus may be the recently described
Budytes flavus alascensis but no specimens of that race are available
for comparison. Cf. Ridgway, Bds. North and Middle America (1904),
3, 8 and 10.
[94] Cf. Richmond, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Washington (1903), 26, 504.
[95] In the Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum this
species falls under "a. With the hind claw decidedly shorter than the
hallux." but in the figures of the foot in the Catalogue and in the
Fauna of British India the claw is decidedly longer than the hallux,
and Sharpe (p. 565) says: "Hind claw long and straight, a trifle
shorter than hind toe, but sometimes longer."
[96] Coues describes this, the most important character of the family,
in the following words: "But the most tangible characteristic of the
family [Fringillidæ] is angulation of the commissure. The commissure
runs in a straight line, or with a slight curve, to or near to the base
of the bill, and is then more or less abruptly bent down at a varying
angle--the cutting edge of the upper mandible forming a reëntrance,
that of the lower mandible a corresponding salience. In familiar terms,
we might say that the corners of the mouth are drawn down--that the
finches, though very merry little birds, are literally 'down in the
mouth.' In the great majority of cases this feature is unmistakable,
and in the grosbeaks, for example, it is very strongly marked indeed;
but in some of the smaller-billed forms, and especially those with
slender bills, it is hardly perceptible."
[97] This species is called "tree sparrow" by some authors.
[98] Chlorura Reichenbach, 1863, is preoccupied by Chlorura Sclater,
1862.
[99] Grant's diagnosis of Chlorura brunneiventris follows:
"C. similis C. borneensi, Sharpe, sed abdomine quoque rufescente,
pectore concolore; pectoris lateribus caeruleo lavatis; fronte caerulea
laetiore et minus extensa. Long. tot. 4.2 poll., alae 2.3."
[100] "Characters.--Slightly larger than Dicrurus balicassius from
Luzon Island; also differing in having the metallic reflections of
the upper parts and breast greenish blue instead of bluish green.
"Measurements of type (adult male).--Wing, 148; tail, 130; culmen,
27; tarsus, 25." (Mearns.)
[101] Wrongly given as "Mindanao" in McGregor and Worcester's
Hand-List, p. 107.
[102] This recently published description is based upon one specimen
and the species is compared with neither Chibia borneensis nor
C. pectoralis. Mearns's description follows:
"Characters.--Very similar to Chibia palawanensis, differing only in
its somewhat larger size, shallower forking of the tail, the narrower
and very much smaller spangles on the breast, and in the absence of
metallic green on the upper tail-coverts.
"Measurements of skin (type and only specimen).--Length, 260; wing,
136; tail, 126; emargination of tail, 16; culmen (chord), 28.5;
tarsus, 24.5." (Mearns.)
[103] The description of Chibia borneensis follows: "C. similis
C. pectorali ex insulis Sulaensibus, sed plumis lanceolatis colli
lateralis metallice chalybeo-viridibus nec purpurascentibus, et
maculis jugularibus et praepectoralibus valde minoribus et conspicue
metallicis chalybeo-viridibus distinguenda. Long. tot. 10, culm. 1.3,
alae 5.9, caudae, 4.5, tarsi 0.85." (Sharpe.)
[104] The name myna is restricted by Jerdon, and other writers on
Indian ornithology, to the species of Acridotheres and Temenuchus,
while the species of Eulabes are called hill mynas. Mina, maina,
and minor are merely variants of myna.
[105] The status of "Sarcops lowii" is doubtful; the description
follows: "This species appears to be distinguished from the ordinary
Sarcops calvus by its gray mantle, which resembles the rest of the
back, and by the color of the under surface, which is silvery gray
with a narrow blackish line down the center of the body, whereas in
S. calvus the mantle is black, and the under surface also, only the
flanks being gray." (Sharpe.)
[106] See note under crested myna.
[107] The Philippine crow is given in Table II of Everett's paper on
the birds of Palawan, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1889), 225, and this record is
repeated in McGregor and Worcester's Hand-List (1906), 110, but there
appears to be no other evidence of the occurrence of the Philippine
crow in Palawan.