The Birds of Transylvania

412 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

violent S.W.-monsoon weather in August, than I observed anywhere else in the course of a tour through the whole of the central coffee-estates.

TRINGA TEMMINCKI.

‘‘ Proved to be T. salina when examined in this country.” How Mr. Holdsworth committed this singular error is

almost unaccountable to me. At page 29 I spoke of T . temmincki ; but reference was made to the northern province, and not to this district. Even, however, if Mr. Holdsworth had not correctly read the text, he must surely have seen my additions to the avifauna of Ceylon, contained in part 6, vol. i. ‘ Stray Feathers,’ in which, at page 491, T. temmincki is cha- racterized, with a series of notes on T . salina and T. minuta, showing that a t that time 1 was well acquainted with all these species. At a previous date in 1872, when not sure of the identification of T . minuta and T. salina respectively, I had sent home a specimen of the latter, procured on the 26th of January of that year; but why this fact should have pre- cluded the possibility of my obtaining T. temmincki at a later date, I fail to understand.

For the benefit simply of those who take an interest in the ornithology of Ceylon at home, I may mcntion that, besides the species mentioned by Mr. Holdsworth, I have lately added to his list (published in ‘ Stray Bleathers ’) Erythropus ves- pertinus, Gecinus striolatus t, Acrocephalus stentorius, B g i - alitas geofroyi, Tringa temmincki, Glareola lactea, Onycho- prion fuliginosa j-, Sterna minuta t.

XXXVI1.-The Birds of Transylvania. By CHARLES G. DANFORD, and JOHN A. HARVIE BROWN.

[Continued from p. 312, and concluded.]

. *149. FRINGILLA CCELEBS, L. Xzemeti Pinty (Dung-Finch) . Common everywhere, from the low country to the limit of

the pine-region. I ts note seems to be clearer and shriller than that of the same species in Great Britain.

t Not procured by myself. $ Vide s74pd.

the Birds of Transylvania. 413

150. FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA, L. Common in winter in large flocks. According to some

authorities, a certain number of these birds remain the wholc year, and breed in the higher mountains. Herr Buda LdCm says he has seen the young in summer among the mountains a t HBtzeg; and we were told that Herr Hermann, the former curator of the Klausenburg Museum, took many of their eggs at VlegyLsza, near Vajda Hunyad. Herr CsBto says they are only to be met with in winter. Hcrr Ott6 remarks that it “ comes and goes very quickly.” I n the absence of sub- stantial proof to the contrary, we are inclined to consider Herr Cs6to’s account as the more probable.

*151. FRINGILLA CHLOKIS, L. Zoldike. We did not see many; but they are common throughout

* 152. FRINGILLA CANNAIIINA, L. Kendwike (Hemp-

Common everywhere. We saw many in thc Giirgeny

the country in autumn.

finch).

district.

Finch). Common in harvest in large flocks, and not unfrequently

nesting in bushes among the lower mountains.

*154. FRINGILLA CARDUELIS, L. Teng6Jicz. Generally distributed and common.

*155. FRINGILLA SPINUS, L. Csh. Common among the pines during the breeding-season, and

156. FRINGILLA SERINUS (L.). Very rare, but sometimes occurs in autumn and winter.

Bieltz mentions that it was got by Herr Stetter at Topan- falva. I n 1872 Herr Ott6 wrote that it had once been seen in the Mezoskg ; and Danford, writing from Transylvania under date of October 29th, 1874, says :-“ Herr Buda Carl has just come in from a chasc after two F. serinus, neither of which hc got.”

153. k’RINGILLA RUFEICENS, Vieill. KOVi CSiZ (Stone-

in the plains in winter.

2 H 2

4414 Mcssrs. C. cf. Danford and J . A, Harvic Brown on

157. PYRRIIULA RUBICILLA (Pall.). Suvb'lto; Piro'k; Ha- vasi Pinty (Mountain-Finch) .

Rather common, frequenting the mountain-woods during the breeding-season, and later in the year appearing in the low country in considerable numbers.

06s . Bieltz says this is the only member of the family which has hitherto been observcd in Transylvania ; but there is little doubt that Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.) and P. enu- cleator (L.) do occur, as they have both becn found by Herr Pete'nyi on the adjoining Hungarian frontier, and Graf LAz6.r says he is sure the former has occurred near Tolgyks.

168. LOXIA CURVIROSTRB (L.). Common among the pines and firs in many parts of the

"159. COCCOTHRAUSTES WLGARIS (Pall.). Magtorii Maddr ;

We met with the Hawfinch pretty frcqucntly in thc GiirgCny It does not remain over

Kereszlorrzi k a d d r .

country.

Meggyvdgo' (Weichsel-biter) .

district among woods and gardens. the winter.

"160. STURNUS VULGARIS, L. Sereg6ly (A crowd). Generally common. Migratory.

161. PASTOR ROSEUS (Linn.). Ro'zsds Rigd (Rosy Thrush). This bird is of very uncertain appearance in the country.

In 1835 it was very abundant at Hermannstadt. They generally come about June, and are found in company with the Starlings. Herr Ott6 states that they were very abundant in the MezosCg in 1868 (A Mezoseg 11. &c.), and he observed them there on the 30th May and 4th June.

*162. ORIOLUS GALBULA, L. Shga Rigo (Yellow Thrush). Generally common on the outskirts of large woods and in

gardens. We found them at ZBh and GiirgBnp, and iii tlie oak-woods at Sztrina, near Klausenburg. They come in the beginning of May; and the old males generally leave' in August.

"163. PYRRHOCORAX ALPINUS (Vieill,). Rare, and only to be mct with among the high mountains,


where they breed. In September 1872 Danford saw a pair in tlie glen of Stina de Rue, near the Retjezrit, at an elevation of about 5000 feet. He was much struck with their tameness, as they came day after day about the hut, showing very little fear. HH. Cs&to and Buda idrim observed them also at Nuksora, near the same locality.

Bieltz says of this species :-" It is true that the occurrence of this bird in Tran- sylvania has not yet been proved ; but as, according to Za- vadzlii, it appears amongst the highest of the Bukovina Car- pathians, it cannot be wanting on our Rodnaer mountains ; for instance, on the Kuh-horn, &c." He also alludes to it in his Beitrag zur Unterscheidung dcr rabenartigen Vogel.'

We regret that we did riot bring home any of these Jack- daws, and are therefore unable to state whether or not the Corvus collaris of Drummond occurred among them or not. Many we observed had extrcmcly light-coloured necks, evcn as late as the beginning of June, though the whitish shoulders spoken of by Mr. Simpson (cf. Ibis, 1860, p. 385) were not apparent.

Obs. Pyrrhocorax graculus (L.).

*164. CORVUS BlONEDULA, L. Csdka.

*165. CORVUS CORAX, L. Hob%. Common throughout the country.

*166. CORVUS CORNIX, L. Varju. Common at all times ; but in no country visited by us have

we found this bird so very abundant as it is during autumn in Transylvania.

167. CORVUS CORONE, L. We have not observed this species or variety in the country.

Uieltz says it occurs, mentioning it as a variety of C. cornix. It has also been found at Benczencz. Herr Buda i d a m has never met with it near Hjtzeg.

*168. CORVUS PRUGILEGUS, L. Fekete Varju (Black Crow). Wc saw this bird during our present visit only in the

Szgklcr country ; but it is common at IIiitzcg and many othcr places. Bicltz say8 :-'' In somc parts of the country it

416 Messrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvic Brown on

bcars the name of Teleki varju, from a belief entertained that at one time it did not exist in the country, but was introduced by a certain Count Tcleki ;" and we have since ascer- tained that it actually was introduced by him.

169. PICA KUSTICA (Scop.). Szarka. Common everywhere.

*170. GAKKULUS GLANDARIUS (L.) . Very common.

Mdtyds (Matthias). There are great numbers among the woods

at iIBtzeg in autumn.

*171. NucrrnaGA CARYOCATACTES (L.) . HUVUSi M&$& (Mountain-Jay).

Common among the higher mountain-woods during the earlier part of the year, but descending in autumn. Danford saw many of them in October, busy feeding among the hazel- bushes in the Klopotiva gorge. It sometimes comes low down, and seems to be occasionally migratory, as in 1851 a large flock visited the Tokay vineyards in Hungary (Xtetter) .

"1 72. COLUMBA PALUMBUS, L. Common at some seasons of the year ; but during our sum-

mer visit we did not see any.

"173. COLUMBA (ENAS, L. Common everywhere among the beech- and oak-woods of

the lowlands. It arrives in February, and leaves in autumn. 06s. Of Columba livia Bieltz says :-JC This species, which

is found wild in Southern Europe, especially in those countries bordering on the sea, and which there nests in rocks, breeding yearly twice or three times, is the stock of our tame Pigeons. They often becomc wild again with us, and are met with breeding on towers, in old walls, and fissures of rocks."

Orves Galamb.

Vad Galarnb (Wild Pigeon).

*174. COLUMBA TunTus, L. Gerlicze. Common in gardens and the bushy woods of the low country,

but has also been seen on the RetjezBt by HH. Cs6to and Buda AdAm.

1'75. LAGOPUS hfUTUS, Lcach. Vcry ram, somc auLiioritics denying its existcncc in the

Ho' Fajd (Snow-Grouse).


country. Bicltz says it has been found on the highest peaks of the HAtzeg and Arpach mountains; and C. Boner, in his work on Transylvania (p. 144) , says, “ Ptarmigan may be shot on the mountains near Hbtzeg.,’ Herr Stetter got one on the RetjezAt ; and HH. CsAto and Buda LdAm were informed by a peasant that he had seen some “white Partridges” there.

176. TETRAO UROOALLUS, L. Vad Kukas (Wild Cock); Siket Fujd (Deaf Grouse).

Tolerably common among the high undisturbed forests in most parts of the country.

177. TETRAO TETRIX, L. Not common, but pretty well distributed in the north and

north-east. They fiequent the open places at the edges of the high mountain-woods, and, from their habit of running into the impenetrable thickets of creeping pine, are exccedingly dif- ficult to find. According to Herr CsAto (‘ Birds of the Ret- jez&t,’ &e.) , T. tetrix pairs a fortnight later than T. urogullus.

There is a male in the Hermannstadt collection, and a female in that of Herr Buda kldm.

Nyir fujd (Birch-Grouse) .

06s. The hybrid T. medius sometimes occurs.

*178. BONASA BETTJLINA (Seop.). Csdszbr Mud& (Em-

Common among the lower mountain-woods, especially pcror-bird) .

where there is an undergrowth of small trees and bushes.

*179. PERDIX CINEREA, Lath. Generally distributed on the low ground, but not numerous.

Herr Buda AdiLrn shot one at Urik Burlea, behind the Ret- jezgt, at an elevation of about 6000 feet. There was a covey; and they ha& no doubt, been bred there. The bird differs in no way from that frequenting the plains.

O h . Bieltz says :-rrThe Stein-Feldhuhn belonging to this part of the world-P. suxutilis (Meyer) -does, according to some accounts, occur in Transylvania; and I have also been assured from trustworthy sources that wc have a second Par- tridge in Transylvania.”

Fogoly Mud&.


*180. ORTYOION COTURNIX (L.) . Common everywhere in the lowlands, from April to Sep-

181. PHASIANUS COLCHICUS, L. Fdczhn. Formerly tolerably common in the preserves of some of the

nobility; but during the revolution of 1848 most of them were destroyed. We are not certain that it now exists at all.

*I 82. CREX PRATENSIS, Bechst. H a r k Common everywhere. Migratory. 183. CREX POEZANA (L.). Common everywhere, and migratory.

184. CREX MINUTA, Pall. Not uncommon.

Fiirj.

tember.

We probably saw it at ZBh and T6h6t. The specimens in the museum at Klausenburg were got at Szamosfalva. Not rare at Gyelr6 (Ottd) .

185. CREX PYOMZA, Naum. Rare, but has been found in the Strell valley and in various

186. RALLUS AQUATICUS, L. We did not see it during our visits; but it is said to be

Herr CsBto says it is migratory in the

parts of the country.

generally common. Strell valley.

*187. GALLINULA CHLOROPUS (L.). Common everywhere and migatory. "188. FULICA ATRA, L. Common everywhere, especially in the Mezos6g.

gratory, arriving in April and leaving in October. 189. OTIS TARDA, L. Tuzok. Not uncommon in various parts of the country, but chiefly

found near Thorda, Alvincz, and Muhlbach. They also occur in the Strell valley; and we were told that a small flock was often seen at ZBh.

Viqi tyZik.

Hdda ; Szdrcsa. It is mi-

They nest in meadows and corn-fields. 190. OTIS TETRAX, L. Kis Tiizok. Much rarer than thc preceding, but occasionally met with

(luring its migrations.


191. GLAREOLA PRATINCOLA (L.). Rare. I t has been killed in May on the Strell, and has

also occurred in the neighbourhood of Klausenburg and Her- mannstadt. Herr Buda idbm says they come every year, and this year there was a flock of about forty.

192. (EDICNEMUS CREPITANS, Temm. Reznek %zok (Dwarf Bustard) .

Very rare. It has occurred at Alvincz, also on the Maros and in the Hbtzeg valley. Herr Ott6 records one obtained at Szent Mikl6s, on September 23rd, 1867. I t was struck down by a Sparrow-Hawk.

*193. VAWELLUS VULGARIS, Bechst. Common, but not numerous, and not remaining over the

194. SQUATAROLA HELVETICA (L.). Very rare. I t has been got in the MezosCg; and Herr

195. CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS, L. Esii Szalonka (Rain-

Not uncommon in spring and autumn. 196. CHARADRIUS MORINELLUS, L. Not uncommon, and has been found breeding by Bieltz,

who brought a nest of two young and an addled egg from the k’rumoasze mountain, near the Cibensquelle, at an elevation of about 7000 feet. They are also reported to nest near the lake of Zenoga, on the Retjezbt. Danford examined the spe- cimeus above mentioned in the Museum at Hermannstadt.

Libucz ; Bibicz.

winter. We saw a few in the MeeosCg.

Buda idbm shot one on the 24th May, 1864, at Zeykfalva.

Snipe).

197. CHARADRIUS HIATICULA, L. Rare, but occasionally seen during its migrations. *198. CHAEADRIUS CURONICUS, Gm. Kis Jiiveny-fato (Little

Sand-runner) ; Torpe Lilik (Dwarf Plover). Common along the stony parts of rivers. We observed it

at Bogbt, on the Maros, and at Hbtzeg. 199. CHARADRIUS CANTIANUS, Lath. Rare. It is said to havc been found breeding in the


country. of the Maros into the valley of the Strell.

Herr Cs&to says it rarely flies over from the plains

200. STREPSILAS INTERPRES, L. Very rare.

201. HBMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS (L.). Rare, but is sometimes met with during its spring migra-

tions. Herr Buda Elek shot one, and saw othcrs at RUSS, in thc Strell valley. We were also told by Count BLnffy BCla that he had seen a small flock at Szent Mihiily during May of the present year.

It has been shot at Brettye, on the Strell.

202. RECURVIROSTRA AVOCETTA, L. ltare. Herr Buda says it has occurred ; and Bieltz men-

tions two, one of which was shot at Reussbach, near Her- mannstadt, in 1835, and the other he saw in the market in 1846.

203. HIMANTOPUS AUTUMNALIS (Hasselq.) . Rare. It has been got near Hermanstadt, and occasionally

occurs in the Strell valley, more frequently during the spring migation. Herr Ott6 records a pair from the Meziis&g, of which the female was suffering severely from a large tapeworm.

204. PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS (L.) . Herr Ott6 records a specimen killed by Graf Kem6ny JBnos,

which was previously recorded by Graf L&zBr K&lm6n, and further states :-“There was also a specimen which had been shot in the MezosBg, in the Museum at Nagy-Enyed :” this specimen, in common with much of the contents of the museum, was destroyed during the revolution of 1848.

205. TOTANUS CANESCENS (Gm.). Not rare during autumn on the rivers Szamos, Klopotiva,

206. TOTANUS STAGNATILIS, Bechst. Not uncommon in spring and autumn among the stones

and sandy places on the Strell, Klopotiva, and other streams. IIcrr Ott6 affirms that it only occurs during migration ; but our friend Mr. Dresser informs us that Frivaldsky showed

Strell, &c. It is said to breed in the country.


him specimens of T. stagnatilis obtained in Transylvania in the breeding-season, and fully believes it to breed there not uncommonly. He further states that he has eggs, taken at Apay, in Hungary, by Frivaldsky; and Herr Buda idrim has seen the young near the Platten See, where it is known to breed in the Venetianischer lake,

207. TOTANUS FUSCUS (L.), According to Herr CsAto and Herr Buda this bird occurs

not uncommonly on the Strell and Klopotiva during its migrations. A male specimen in the museum at Klausenburg was shot in June on the Szamos.

*208. TOTANUS CALIDRIS (L.). Not uncommon during its migrations.

flocks on the lakes of the Mezose'g.

*209. TOTANUS GLAREOLA (L.) . Not rare during its migrations.

icmens at T6h&t and Ztih in May.

*210. TOTANUS OCHROPUS (L.). During our visit to HAtzeg, at the end of April, we saw a

specimen of this bird at RBa ; and Danford found it very common in the same locality in autumn. Herr Buda idrim and Bieltz agree in saying that it breeds in the country, nesting among sand and stones ; but Herr Buda afterwards told Danford that, though he sees the birds the whole summer, he has not actually found the nest, but feels quite sure that they must breed. Considering the abnormal habit of this species during the nesting-season in Pomerania and other northern localities where its eggs have been found, we consider this account scarcely sufficiently authenticated. Mr. W. H. Simpson, however, speaking of this species as an inhabitant of Western Greece (Ibis, 1860, p. 390), says :-'' Some indi- viduals of Totanus ochropus remain so late that their breeding- quarters may be nearer than is generally supposed. We can believe almost any thing of a bird that so far departs from the habits of its congeners as occasionally to lay its eggs in old ncsts of the tree-building birds."

We saw them in

We met with a few spe-

422 Messrs. C. (3. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown 011

*211. TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS (L.) . Common throughout the country.

212. LIMOSA BGOCEPHALA (L.). Not common; some years, however, appearing in consi-

derable numbers. We saw one which had been killed on the Maros, at Sz6sz Regen. Herr Cs6to says several specimens were got on the Strell in May and June. The specimens in the Klausenburg Museum were killed in July at Szamos Falva.

Both occur more fre- 213. LIMOSA LAPPONICA (L.). As uncommon as thc preceding.

*214. MACHETES PUGNAX (L.).

Common in marshy ground during its migration.

quently during the spring than in the autumn migration.

Bajnok Bibicz (Champion Plover).

Danford saw them in the autumn on the Szamos near Klausenburg. They are never found in full breeding-plumage (Buda) . 215. TRINGA CANUTUS, L. Not rare on river-sides during its migration.

*216. TRINGA SUBAHQUATA (Giild.). Not rare during its spring migration, but less frequent in

autumn. A specimen in full breeding-plumage was shot during our stay at Giirge'ny, on May 29th. They have also been obtained at Gye'ke' in May, and occur in small flocks in May and June on the Strell. The above-mentioned specimen is in the Klausenburg Museum.

217. TRINGA MINUTA, Leisl. Rare. It occurs more frequently during the autumn mi-

It has been procured by Herr gration than in the spring. CsBto at Koncza and at Alvincz (Graf Ldzdr) .

218. TRINGA ALPINA, L. Not common, but to be met with during most years, espe-

Herr Buda &6rn has shot several at Rka cially in autumn. both in spring and autumn.

219. TRINGA TEMMINCKI, LCid Hcrr CsBto says that it occurs rarely in spring, but more


freqnently, either singly or in littlc flocks, a t the beginning of autumn.

Kis Sdr-szalonka (Little He has procured it at Koncza.

"220. SCOLOPAX GALLINULA, L.

Common during it migrations. *2!21. SCOLOPAX GALLINAGO, L. S4r Szalonka. Common during its migrations. Bieltz says that they breed

in the country. Obs. The following is a description of two specimens of the

variety S. brehmi, Kaup, in the collection of Herr Buda h i m , three, all of which agree, having been obtained by him at Kris6ny :-

S. brehmi is of exactly the size of and similar in colour to S. gallinago ; but the tail of the former has a deep double inden- tation, and contains sixteen feathers, some being three times barred and others oftener, and the two central having short projecting terminal spines ; whereas that of the latter, when extended, is of a regular rounded fan-shape, and contains fourteen feathers, each usually with five or more bars. On a reexamination of these specimens, Danford thinks the points of the two central tail-feathers being bare is due to abrasion, but that the indentations cannot be accounted for in the same manner.

Herr Buda AdAm says that it has a different flight and a different cry, and that when Pushed it always rises silently.

For full description of S. brehmi, see ' Lehrbuch dcr Natur- geschichte,' Brehm (p. 623) ; and additional remarks will be found in Salvadori's ' Fauna d' Italia,' " Uccelli " (p. 228).

Mud-Snipe) .

222. SCOLOPAX MAJOR, Gm. I

Solitary birds are not rarely met with during migration

%23. SCOLOPAX RUSTICOLA, L. Szalonka. Generally common.

a t HMzeg, the Strell valley, Gy6k6, and other localities.

They come in March and April, and, remaining but a short time in the low country, proceed to their I-heding-places in the mountains. In September they descend, the flight lasting till thc beginning of November, a few remaining still later when the weather is very opcn.


224. NUMENIUS ARQUATA (L.). Snipe).

Rather rare, and only found during migration. at HBtzeg and in the Strell valley. Klausenburg Museum are from Maros VBsitrhely .

Mezei Szalolzka (Field-

It occurs The specimens in the

225. NUMENIUS TENUIROSTRIS, Vieill. Very rare. Bieltz says that a specimen was shot by Herr

Stetter on the marshy banks of the Maros, near Maros NBmethi.

226. NUMENIUS PR~EOPUS (L.). Still rarer than the Curlew, but sometimes to be met with

227. CALIDRIS ARENARIA, L. Solitary specimens of this bird have been got in various

228. GRUS COMMUNIS, Bechst. Dard. Sometimes met with during its migrations.

in the same localities during migration.

parts of the country.

Herr Csiito says he has seen them both in large and small flocks passing over the Strell valley.

"229. ARDEA CINEREA, L. Gkm; Sziirke Ge'm (Grey Heron). Common everywhere, especially in the MezGsBg, where they

nest among the tall reeds. The tops of the reeds are broken down so as to form a platform from four to nine feet above the water ; and the nests, which are made almost entirely of broken pieces of reed, are thus strongly supported.

"230. ARDEA PURPTJREA, L. Equally abundant with the preceding in the MczosBg.

Veres G6m (Red Heron). We

found them breeding in th'e same situations-and if not actually in company with the common Heron, yet generally very close to them. They are said to be scarcer in other parts of the country.

/ 231. ARDEA ALBA, L. Only found during migration, there being no record of its

having bred in the country. We heard from Herr Buda that them were many in the Hjtzeg district this year after we

Nagy Fehe'r Kdcsag.


The specimen in thc Klausenburg Museum was shot left. a t Apahida in November 1867, as recorded by Herr Ott6.

Kis Kdcsag (Little Heron). 232. AHDEA GARZETTA, L. Rare. It is reported to have nested near Felvincz. We

saw a specimen which liad been killed this year a t Maros, VBsBrhcly, and received one shot at HBtzeg. Herr CsBto says they visit the Strell valley in little flocks in May and June.

"233. ARDETTA MINUTA (L.). Common among the lakes of the MezGse'g and similar loca-

234. BOTAURUS STELLARIS (L.). Not very common.

lities. We got scveral spccimens at ZBh.

Na'di Bika (Reed-bull). It occurs in the Meziise'g, whcre we

The Strell valley, HBtzeg, &c.

235. BUPHUS COMATUS (Pall.). Sa'rga G6m (Yellow Heron). A migratory species, much commoner in somc years than

Little flocks are sometimes met with on the Strcll

heard but did not see it. are other localities.

in othcrs. in May and June, and more rarely in autumn.

"236. NYCTICORAX GRISEUS (L.). E$eli Kdesag; Vak Varju (Blind Crow).

Not uncommon, and migratory. At Ziih we found a large colony, which was chiefly composed of adult birds with a small sprinkling of immature examples. They had not bcgun to breed when we left in the middle of May. In the Klausen- burg Museum is a specimen with four crest-feathers.

"237. CICONIA ALBA, Bechst. Gdlya. Ccdmon everywhere in the plains and well-watered dis-

tricts, especially in the HBromse'g. Nearly every village in some districts has its Stork's nest ; and the birds are not al- lowed to be disturbed, the popular belief being that they will, if interfered with, sct fire to the house.

"238. CICONIA NIGRA (L.). Fekete Go'lya. Not nearly so common as the preceding. We saw a pair

on a bit of marshy ground ncar SzBsz lte'gen, in the Sz6kler

426 Messrs. C. G. Dauford and J. A. Harvic Brown 011

country. moods at Ponorics.

Herr Buda Elek found it breeding in the beech- It also nests at Demsus, near HiLtseg.

239. IBIS FALCINELLUS (Gmel.). Ibis. Solitary birds are not uncommonly met with during the

spring migration. We saw onc which had been killed last year at Gorg6ny; and another was sent to us from HBtzeg. It also occurs on the Strell and Alt rivers.

*240. PLATALEA LEUCORODIA, L. Rare, but occurs during its spring migration.

Kuncilos Gkm. We saw onc

at T6h&t, flying high and then settling on a field in company with some Herons. Hcrr CsBto has frequently observed it in May and June on the Strell.

241. CYGNUS OLOR (Gmel.). Huttyii. Small flocks are occaxionally met with on lakes and rivers,

It has also been obtained especially on the Alt and Maros. on the Strell at Russ by Herr Buda Elek.

242. CYQNUS MUSICUS, Bechst. Still rarer than the preceding.

243. ANSER FERUS (Gmel.). Common in large flocks during its migrations. 244. ANSER SEGETUM (Gmel.).

Not rare during migration, in small flocks.

245. ANSER ALBIFRONS (Gmel.). Very rare, but has, according to Herr Buda AdGrn, oc-

246. ANSER BRENTA (Pall.). Very rare, but has occurred in various parts of the country. Obs. Bieltz thinks it probable that A. leucopsis, Bechst.,

a 7 . TADORNA RUTILA (Pall.). One specimen is rccorded by Bieltz as having becn ltillctl

Herr CsGto and Herr Buda LdGm each hilled one in October 1861 in the Strell valley.

Vad Lu'd (Wild Goose).

Vet& Lu'd (Growing-grain

One shot at

Goose).

Apahida is in the Museum at Klausenburg.

curred in the country.

also occurs.

on the Maros by Herr Stetter.


248. TADORNA CORNUTA (Gmcl.). Very rare, and only to be met with during hard winters.

Herr Buda Elek shot one in 1840 on the Strell ; and it is mentioned as having occurred in the Mezose'g by Herr Ott6, on the authority of Baron Kemkny Be'la, from whom, however, Herr Stetter received only a descriptiou.

249. SPATULA CLYPEATA (L.). Kandlos Re'cze (Spoon- Duck).

Not uncommon during migration at Gy6kk and other parts of the Mezose'g, and in the Strell valley.

"250. ANAS CIRCIA, L. Pergo Re'cze. Generally distributed and common on lakes and rivers.

*251. ANAS CRECCA, L. Common everywhere.

*252. ANAS STREPERA, L. Not rare, especially at Gykke', where thcy arc said to breed.

We got a female at ZBh. *253. ANAS BOSCHAS, L. Kdcsogd-Re'cze. Common everywhere. *254. ANAS ACUTA, L. Nyil-farku Re'cze (Arrow-tailed

We saw it in the Mezose'g at ZBh ; but it is not considered

*255. ANAS PENELOPE, L. Sipds Re'cze (Whistling Duck). Not uncommon in winter and during its migrations. We

We saw it at Hritzeg and in the Mezose'g.

Aprd Re'cze (Little Duck).

Duck).

common.

saw it at ZBh.

*256. ERISMATURA LEUCOCEPHALA (SCOp.). Ke'k-orruRe'cze (Blue-billed Duck) ; and at Nagy-Cze'g, in the Mezose'g, the native sportsmen call it Vadpeisma Re'cze (Wild Musk-Duck) .

This curious bird, which we found in the Mezose'g, is not very common. We met with a flock of nine or ten birds at a small reedy lake near Zrih; but, owing to the difficulty of paddling the wretched square-ended canoes or punts (csdnak), the only substitutes for boats in the country, we

SER. 111.-VOL. V. 2 1

428 Messrs. C. 0. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

found great difficulty in getting near them, and for somc days only succeedcd in shooting one male, and that at very long range. A couple of days before our departure, however, wc were more fortunate; the birds were tamer, and let us get a numbcr of long shots, by which we killed three more malcs and a female. They never attempted to leave thc lake, but aftcr a short rapid flight pitched again, generally about the samc place. They swam vcry fast, keeping their stiff Wood- pecker-like tails erect at right angles with the body, and when wounded, though they dived constantly, showcd no disposi- tion to escape, like other Ducks, by hiding among the reeds, but on the contrary avoided them. The bill of the male, when newly killed, is of a beautiful pure ultramarine, this colour extending even to the interior of the mouth. It soon fades, being merely conncctcd with a thin, easily moved memhrane ; and in twenty-four hours the bill loses its brilliant appearance, turning to a brownish grey. We were too early for their nesting, but were assured that they bred in this district, probably at the lake where we found them. In the Klausenburg Museum are some young birds sent from Gye%d, and also some adults got there by the curator of the Museum, Herr Klir. Writing of this spccics as observed by him in the Mezoskg (A Mezoskg 11. A Mezo-Zkh, &c.), Herr Ott6 says,-"They came in April, went away for a short time, and returned in May; ncsted among the thick reeds in the lake at Zfah : in the first half of June had fine young (chicks), three of which were taken." He compares the look of the bird, when swimming, to the double-peakcd Hungarian saddle. Graf L6zfar also procured two unfledged birds in the Titrtaria marsh, and a young bird at Benczencz.

Hcrr Hermann Ott6 describes the young as follows :- " Beak bluish black, with a swelling at the base. Feet of

a similar colour. Plumage brown-black. From the base of the bill, under the eye, and continued over the ear, a white stripe. Chin, with a broad vtitward curve back under the cheek, white, so that the brown cheek appears bordered un- demeath by this curve, and above by the eye-stripe. Belly dirty white, which colour loses itself in the sides. Under


the shoulder a light spot on both sides, which hardly shines through and in many specimens is wanting. Tail-feathers slit up and spread out like a fan.”

257. FULIGULA RUFINA (Pall.). Rare, but, according to Bieltz, has been shot on several oc-

casions in the MezosBg, and in the neighbourhood of Klausen- burg. Herr Ott6 saw one pair in the Mezoskg on the 19th April, and two pairs at Zsth on the 30th March.

*258, FuLIauLA FERINA (L.) . Rather common on the lakes of the Mezosbg, where Bieltz

Veres Nyak (Red-neck).

says they sometimes breed. We saw a few at ZLh.

*259. FULIGULA NYROCA (Guld.) . Common.

FehLr-szemu RLcze. We saw them in flocks at Z&h in the beginning

of May; and it is not impossible that a few may remain to breed,

260. FULIGULA MARILA (L.) . Hegyi RLcze(Mountain-Duck) . Not rare during migration and in winter.

261. FULIGULA CRISTATA (Leach). Sometimes OCCUPS, during migration, in considerable

numbers.

262. GLAUCION CLANGULA (L.). Not rare during winter on the larger lakes and rivers.

263. (EDEMIA FUSCA (L.). Occasionally appears in winter.

264. MERGUS ALRELLUS, L. Ejszaki-sark Buvdr (North- Pole Diver).

Much the commondst of the family, and to be met with during winter in large flocks, and abundant in the middle of March.

Jig RLcze (Ice-Duck).

265. MERGUS MERGANSER, L. Muszka RLcze (Russian

Not rare on rivers during the winter months. Herr CsLto Duck).

says it frequents the Strell in small flocks. 212

430 Mcssrs. C. G. Danford and J. A. I-Iarvic Brown on

266. MERGUS SERRATOR, L. Much rarer than the preceding. Obs. (( Anas cana.” This bird, which in the ‘ Erdelyi Muz.

Egylet Evkiinyvei’ (vol. i. pt. 2, p. 63) is stated by Count Lizir to be new to Europe, is described in ‘Verhandl. nnd Mittheil. des siebenb.Vereins fur Naturwissenschaft’ (10. Jahr- gang, p. 244) by the same author as follows :-“As large as A. puerpuedula, but having a broader head. The head, neck, and upper parts are of a beautiful grey, like Columbapaluwz- bus; breast, belly, and undcrparts of wings snow-white. Na- tive country India, especially Coromandcl. . . . . .” I n the spring of 1854 the author saw six of these birds at Benczencz, near Broos, one of which he got with great trouble, as they were extremely shy. Since then he has heard of, but not seen them.

This is of course not the well-known Anus cuna, Gmel., from South Africa; but the descriptionfloes not enable us to determine what the single example which seems to have been obtained could be. There is certainly no known species from “ Coi-omandcl ’’ (or, indeed, anywhere in India) which agrees with the Count’s. The so-called “ Coromandel” Teal of many authors, Nettopus coromandelianus (Gmel.), is very un- like the bird described. We can only suggest that the bird may have been A . marmorata.

267. PELECANUS CRISPUS, Bruch. Szurke Gb’dhy (Grey Pelican).

Very rare. A male specimen was killed at Batiz, on the Strell, in 1850, by Herr Stetter.

268. PELECANUS ~NOCROTALUS, L. Rd.s&s God6ny (Rosy Pelican).

Rare, but has occurred at Hatzeg and at Reps, on the Alt near Hermanfistadt, the Maros near neva, the Kiilkiil near Schassburg, &c. The specimen in the Klausenburg Museum was killed near the town. Boner (in his work, ‘Transyl- vania : its Products and its People ’), alluding to the periods of migration, says :-“At such times the Swan, the Cormo- rant, and the Pelican have also been seen on the rivers ; and

the Birds of Transylvania. 413 1

Lieutcnaiit * * * came home once bringing with him seven of thc lattcr that he had shot.” Stetter mentions that eleven were killed in one day at Hermannstadt; and IIerr Ott6, that fifteen appeared on the Szamos in June 1864, and remained till the end of the month (Zoological Communi- cations &c. a).

269. GRACULUS CAR130 (L.). Szerecsen Godeizy (Negro Pe- lican) ; Hal Furkks (Fish-Wolf).

Rare, but is sometimes found on the larger rivers in winter. Herr Buda AdLm killed one near RUSS, on the Strell, in August; and a young bird was shot near HQtzeg. The specimen in the Klausenburg Museum is from Felvincz. On 24th June, 1867, Herr Ott6 shot an adult female at Felvincz ; and again, on 24th Jhly of the same year, seven were sceii near Klausenburg, and two of them were shot.”

270. GEACULUS PYOMBUS (Pall.). Not very rare. It generally appears in large flocks, and

On the lattcr two has been met with on the Alt and Strcll. young birds were killed in December at Brettye.

271. GRACULUS CRISTATUS (Faber). Herr Buda AdLm says that it has occurred, but is very

272. SULA BASSANA (L.). Bieltz mentions that this bird was once observed during

273. STERNA FLUVIATILIS (Naixm.) . Hal6sz (The Fisher). Not uncommon on the larger lakes and rivers. It is said

rare.

winter by Herr Stetter.

to breed in the country.

274. STERNA ANGLICA (Mont.). Herr Buda 6dLm is our authority for the occurrencc of

this bird.

275. STERNA MINUTA, L. Rare.

country, and leaves in August. uncommon.

Kis Hal6sz. According to Bieltz it arrives in May, breeds in the

I n the Strell valley it is vcry A spccimcn was shot at Zcylrfalva in Junc.

432 Mesws. C. G. Danford and J. A. Harvie Brown on

276. STERNA HYBRIDA, Pall. Herr Cstito says that several specimens were killed Out of

some small flocks wkch appeared in the Strell valley in June 1863. Herr Buda Ad6m has also shot it near Hhtzeg.

“277. STERNA LEUCOPTERA, Meisner & Schintz. Not very common.

with the next species. “278. STERNA FISSIPES, L. Common on the larger lakes and rivers.

T6htit and Zhh. about 2000 on the 29th April in the MezosBg.

279. LARUS RIDIBUNDUS, L. Gull).

Not rare in spring. during our stay there.

280. LARUS MINUTUS, Pall. Not rare in the lakes of the MezosBg, where we saw it on

various occasions, and shot an immature bird at T6htit in the early part of May. Herr Cstito has observed them in the Strell valley during spring, but says they do not occur in autumn. The birds seen in the country are, no doubt, off- shoots from the immense migratory flocks of this species which, as described by Mr. W. H. Simpson (Ibis, 1861, p. 362), frequent the freshwater lakes of the Dobrudscha preparatory to their flight northwards to their breeding- quarters on the great Russian lakes LBdoga and Onega.

We found them at ZQh in company

Vizi Csdka (Water-Jackdaw). We saw many at

Herr Ott6 records having seen a flock of

Neveto’ *rir&?y t (Laughing

One was killed neax Klausenburg

Kis Sircily.

281. LARUS TPIDACTYLUS, L. Rare. 282. LARUS CANUS, L. Rare, but is sometimes met with in stormy weather, and

283. LARUS ARGENTATUS, Gmel. Very rare. A specimen shot at DCBs is in the Klausen-

burg Museum. t Hungarians call all Teim and Gulls ‘I SirSly,” from their mournful

wailing cry.

It has been observed in late autumn and winter.

has been killed on the Alt, near Hermannstadt.


284. LARUS FUSCUS, L. Rare, but has been obtained in various localities. Thcre

is a specimen in the Klausenburg Museum which was killed at Bethlen on June 19th, 1865 ; and both this and the two preceding species have been shot in the Strell valley.

285. LARUS MARINUS, L. Very rare.

286. STERCORARIUS CATARRHACTES (L.) . Very rare.

Herr Uuda idrim says that he has seen it at Hritzeg.

Bieltz mentions that a specimen which was killed at Hermannstadt in 1850 is in the collection of the Natural-History Society of that place.

287. STERCORARIUS PARASITICUS (L.). This species is included in a List of Transylvanian birds in

288. STERCORARIUV POMATORHINUS, Temm. Solitary specimens occasionally occur in autumn.

the collection of Graf Lrizrir.

Bieltz says that there was one in the former College Museum of Nagy Enyed,

289. THALASSIDROMA PELAGICA (L.) . A few specimens have occurred during rough weather.

290. COLYMBUS GLACIALIS, L. A few visit the country every winter.

291. COLYMBUS ARCTICUS, L. Commoner than the preceding in winter; and solitary birds

have been seen during summer. Herr Csrito says that both the young and adult of this, and the young of the following species, have been killed in autumn in the Strell valley.

One was killed by Herr Stetter in 1840 on the Maros.

292. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, L. A few occur in winter and autumn, but they are almost

always young birds.

*293. PODICEPS CRISTATUS (L.) . Very common on the lakes of thc MczSs6g.

Bu'bo's VCcsok. It comes in

March, and leaves in Octobcr.

434 Mr. E. L. Layard on a new Flycatcher.

294. PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS (Gm.). Rarer than the preceding, and remaining the same time in

"295. PODICEPS AURITUS (L.) . We found this bird common in the Mez6s6g ; but it is re-

296. PODICEPS NIGRICOLLIS (Gm.). Said to be rarer than the others, but not of unfrequent oc-

297. PODICEPS MINOR (Lath.). Kis Bzivar (Little Diver). Not common, but of general distribution. All the fore-

going species of this family occur in the valley of the Strell.

the country. We probably saw them at ZQh.

ported rare in other parts of the county.

currence in various localities.

XXXVIIL-Description of a new Flycatcher belonging to the Genus Myiagra, and Notes on some other Fijian Birds. By E. L. LAYARD, Administrator of the Government of the Colony of Fiji. MYIAGRA AZUREOCAPILLA, sp. n. 3. General colour above dark sombre blue; tail and

wing-primaries black, the latter externally edged with the blue of the back; top of the head and cheeks from below thc eye rich azure blue; a black band extends fiom over the nostrils and passes round the nape of the neck, including the eye in its breadth; chin, throat, and chest dark rich chocolate-brown, reddest on the chin ; remainder of the underparts bluish white. Length 6" 3'", wing 3" 3"', tail 3", tarsus lW", bill 9".

y . General colour above chocolate-brown; top of head bluish ; cheeks chocolate and white : tail and wing-primaries brownish black ; the latter edged externally with the chocolate of the back ; the former more or less tipped with white, most visible on the under side : chin, throat, and chest as in the male, but not so dark, being almost red. This colour extends down the flanks and tinges the remainder of the underparts, which are white. In the bill the upper mandible is dark horn, the under orange.

Beak orange; legs slate-colour:; iris dark horn.

Documents

The Birds of Transylvania