men ignoro, quia nascitur regionibus Sinensium provinciæ vicinis. Magno vero emitur Geidwar; nec facile invenias, nisi apud circumforaneos quosdam et circulatores, quos Indi jogues, Mauretani Calandares appellent, hominum genus quod peregrinationibus et stipem amendicando vitam sustentat. Ab his enim et reges et magnates Geiduar emunt." "Utile est autem istud Geiduar ad plurima, sed præsertim adversus venena, et virulentorum animalium ictus morsusque." Clusius, at p. 378 of the same work, "Exoticorum libri decem," having obtained some specimens, "Gedwar veri nomine inscriptas," gives a figure, and compares them with the roots of Anthora, which was at one time thought to be the Zedoary; they resemble a good deal those of atees, as represented in pl. 13. The Persian authors, after giving the synonymes, mention that there are five kinds of Judwar. The best, called Khutai, or Chinese, procured from the mountains of that country. The two next kinds are the produce of the mountains of Tibet, of Nepal, of Morung, and Rungpore; the fourth kind is from the hills of the Dukhun; and the fifth, called Antulah, is the produce of Andaloosee, or Spain. A long account follows of the properties and uses of Judwar, of which it is needless to adduce more than that it is considered a powerful antidote to poison, particularly of the bish; more so, indeed, than the tiryak farook, the ingredients of which are given by Prosper Alpinus De Medicin. Egypt. lib. iv. c. 9. It is therefore probable, that the Nirbisi is the true Zedoary or Geiduar of Avicenna, whatever may be the plant which produces it; that it is not likely to have been what is now so called, the produce of a species of Curcuma, is evident from the difficulty which GARCIAS AB ORTA had in procuring it even in India. Further, if the descriptions in the Persian works on Materia Medica be compared with those of the old Arabian authors, they will be found to refer to the same article, of which in India the name is Nirbisi. It may therefore be recommended as an interesting subject of inquiry for travellers in the Himalayas from Silhet to Cashmere, to ascertain the plant or plants which furnish the different kinds of Nirbisi, Judwar, Zudwar, or Antuleh. Cissampelos convolvulacea is called dukhnirbisee in the N. W. provinces."

Since selecting the above extract for press, the THIRD PART of Dr. ROYLE'S Illustrations has reached India. It contains plates of fourteen new plants ;-two zoological; and one plate of the fossil plants of the Burdwan coal formation*. Under the family malvacea, we find a luminous and highly useful account of the cotton plant and its cultivation in various parts of the world, which we regret having no space to notice further at present. The author has also supplied a desideratum in botany by his monographical epitome of the gossypia, which he distinguishes into eight species.

Lieut. ARTHUR CONOLLY'S Overland Journey to India, and Lieut. A. BURNES' Voyage up the Indus and subsequent Mission to Kábul and Bokhárá, have both appeared among the recent arrivals from England. As the Gleanings in Science have already given an epitome of the former journey, and the Journal As. Soc. of the latter, we need say no more than that, both works do credit to our enterprising travellers.

*What has become of the valuable series of drawings of these fossils prepared from the specimens in the Society's museum by Dr. FALCONER three years ago ?--ED.

XII.-Col. SYKES' Catalogue of Birds of the Insessorial Order in the Dukhun. [Continued from page 423.]

Fam. Merulidæ, Vigors.-Genus Oriolus, Auct.

58. Oriolus Galbula, Linn.

Golden Oriole, Lath. Mango Bird of Dukhun. Very abundant in Dukhun just before the rains. It is called Pawseh by the Mahrattas, from being the precursor of the monsoon. It is a quarrelsome bird. Irides, rich lake.

59. Oriolus melanocephalus, Linn. Black-headed Oriole, Lath.

Rare. Seen by Colonel SYKES only in the immediate neighbourhood of the Ghauts. Found also in Africa.

60. ORIOLUS KUNDOO. Or. corpore suprà flavo-viridi; uropygio, crisso, pogoniis internis rectricum ad apices, abdominisque lateribus nitidè flavis; alis olivaceo-brunneis; corpore subtùs sordidè albo, brunneo striato; rostro nigro.

Irides, rufo-brunneæ. Longitudo Or. Galbulæ.

Both sexes alike. Size of golden Oriole, and much resembling the female of that bird; but the bill is always black, and the irides reddish-brown instead of lake. Genus Turdus, Auct.

61. Turdus macrourus, Gmel. Long-tailed Thrush, Lath.

Rare. Found in the dense woods of the Ghauts.

62. Turdus Saularis. Gracula Saularis, Linn. Pastor Saularis, Temm. Little Indian Pie, Edw., pl. 181.

63. Turdus cyanotus, Jardine and Selby, pl. 46.

This bird has the tongue of a Pastor. Irides, intense red brown. Stony fruit and Cicada found in the stomach. Has the naked spot behind the eyes, but the bird has not the air of a Pastor. Inhabits the Ghauts.

Genus Petrocincla, Vigors.

64. PETROCINCLA PANDO0. Petr. brunnescenti-cyanea; pteromatibus, remigibus rectricibusque fuscis.

Irides, fuscæ. Statura minor quàm Turd. cyanei. This bird differs from the solitary Thrush of Europe (Turd. cyaneus, Linn.) in its smaller size, slighter form, brighter cœrulean tint, want of orange eye-lids, and white tips to the feathers. Found only in the dense woods of the Ghauts. Flight, low and rapid. It appears to correspond with var. A. of Dr. LATHAM'S solitary Thrush, vol. 5, p. 47.

65. PETROCINCLA MAAL. Petr. suprà griseo-brunnea, subtùs rufescenti-alba, plumi brunneo marginatis; crisso rufescenti, fusco-brunneo fasciato.

Statura præcedentis.

This bird corresponds as closely as possible with what is stated to be the female of the Turd. cyaneus, and may by analogy be supposed to be the female of Petrocincla Pandoo; but it inhabits only the prickly milk-bushes (Euphorbia tortilis and pentagona) of the rocky plains of the Dukhun. Colonel SYKES never saw it in the Ghauts, nor in company with Petr. Pandoo.

66. Petrocincla cinclorhyncha, Vigors, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1. p. 172. Figured in GOULD'S Century of Himalayan Birds.

Genus Timalia, Horsf.

67. TIMALIA MALCOLMI. Tim. pallidè grisescenti-brunnea, uropygio pallidiori, remigibus rectricibusque mediis saturatioribus, his fusco absolete fasciatis; subtus albescens, leviter rosaceo tincta; frontis plumis subcyaneis, in medio albo striatis.

Irides, flavo-aurantiæ. Rostrum brunneum, mandibulâ inferiori ad basin flavescenti. Longitudo corporis 11 unc., caudæ 5.

Kokuttee of the Mahrattas. Congregate in flocks of ten or a dozen; fly low, slowly, and with difficulty: never cease chattering, and all at the same time. Food, grasshoppers and grain. Colonel SYKES has dedicated this species to Sir JOHN MALCOLM, G.C.B., who zealously aided his researches in India.

68. TIMALIA SOMERVILLEI. Tim. rufescenti-brunnea; abdomine, crisso, dorso imo caudáque dilutè rufis, hác saturatiori obsoletè fasciutá; remigibus brunneis; gutturis pectorisque plumis in medio subcyaneo notatis.

Rostrum pedesque flavi. Longitudo corporis 95, caudæ 45.

Irides, pallidè flavæ.

A size less than Tim. Malcolmi, but shorter. Irides, bright yellow: same habits as the preceding, but found in the Ghauts only; the latter on the plains. Colonel SYKES has dedicated this bird to Dr. WILLIAM SOMERVILLE, F.R.S.in testimony of his respect.

69. Timalia Chatarea, Frankl. Gogoye Thrush, Lath.?

Habits of the preceding, but about half the size of Tim. Malcolmi. Irides, red brown, legs, yellow.

Genus Ixos, Temm.

70. Ixos jocosus. Lanius jocosus, Linn. Jocose Shrike, Lath.

This is also the Lanius Emeria of SHAW. The male has a sweet note. Found only in the lofty woods of the Ghauts. Irides, fuscous. Lives on fruit: sexes alike. 71. Ixos Cafer. Turdus Cafer, Linn. Cape Thrush, Lath. Le Courouge, Le Vaill. Inhabits gardens: destructive to fruit: without musical notes. Sexes alike.

72. Ixos fulicatus. Motacilla fulicata, Linn. Sooty Warbler, Lath. Traquet noi des Phillipines, Buff.

Sir J. ANSTRUTHER's variety. Lath., vol. 7, p. 112. Female, sooty-black, or brown-black.

Genus Pomatorhinus, Horsf.

73. POMATORHINUS HORSFIELDII. Pom. olivaceo-brunneus; striga superciliari, collo in fronte, pectore, abdominique medio albis.

Irides, fusco-sanguineæ. Rostrum flavum. Pedes fusci. Longitudo corporis 9.7 caudæ 3.7.

unc.,

Minute insects (Dipterous) found in the stomach. Birds remarkably shy, and only met with in the dense woods of the Ghauts. The note of the male is hoot, whoot, whoot, uttered slowly the female answers hooe. The tongue and habits of this bird are those of a Thrush or Timalia. I have dedicated this species to a gentleman to whom science is deeply indebted.

Fam. Sylviada, Leach.-Genus Jora, Horsf.

74. Jora Tiphia. Motacilla Typhia, Linn. Lath., vol. 7, p. 128, var. A. BROWN'S Illust. pl. 36.

Dr. Horsefield's Jora scapularis appears to correspond with the female of Jora Tiphia. Irides, gray.

Genus Sylvia, Auct. Warbler,

75. Sylvia montana, Horsf. Prinia montana, Swains.

Differs from the type of Prinia in its rounded tail. Irides fuscous.

76. Sylvia sylviella, Lath. Lesser White-throat.

Differs from the European bird only in the reddish tint of the white below.

77. SILVIA RAMA. Sylv. pallidè brunnea, subtùs albescens; caudá obsoletè fasciatâ. Longitudo corporis 4.7, caudæ 1.9.

Sexes alike. A size smaller than Sylv. montana, and might be mistaken for it; but Colonel SYKES has shot them male and female, in several places in Dukhun, fullgrown birds.

78. PRINIA SOCIALIS.

Genus Prinia, Horsf.

Prin. capite dorsoque intensè cinereis; remigibus rectricibusque rufo-brunneis, his prope apices fasco-fasciatis; subtùs rufescenti-alba, abdominis lateribus saturatioribus.

Rostrum nigrum. Pedes flavi. Irides pallide aurantiacæ. Longitudo corporis 5.2, caudæ 2.2.

Sexes alike in size and plumage. This species constructs the same ingenious nest, and has the same habits, same note (tooee tooee), and feeds in the same manner, as the Orthotomus Bennettii.

79. PRINIA INORNATA. Prin. suprà pallidè cinereo-brunnea, strigá superciliari corporeque subtus albescentibus, abdominis lateribus crissoque rufescentibus; cauda obsoletè fasciata.

Irides rufo-brunneæ. Rostrum brunneum; mandibulá inferiori ad basin flavâ.
Longitudo corporis 4.7 unc., caudæ 2.7.

Sexes do not differ in size or plumage. Habits of Prin. socialis. Both the above species are remarkable for a struggling flight, as if they experienced difficulty in making their way.

Genus Orthotomus, Horsf, Tailor Bird.

80. ORTHOTOMUS BENNETTII. Orth. olivaceo-viridis; subtùs albidus; capite suprà ferrugineo; caudá elongatá obsoletè fasciata.

Irides flava. Longitudo corporis 6 unc., caudæ 2.7.

Two central tail-feathers elongated beyond the rest for one inch, and twotenths of an inch wide only. Sexes alike. This bird is very remarkable for the ingenuity shown in constructing its nest, by sewing the leaves of trees together, with cotton thread and fibres. Colonel SYKES has seen nests in which the thread used was literally knotted at the end. This species very closely resembles Dr. HORSEFIELD's Orth. Sepium, but on a comparison of the birds, they were found to have specific differences.

81. ORTHOTOMUS LINGOO. Orth. olivaceo-brunneus, subtùs sordidè albus. Longitudo corporis 5.6 unc., caudæ 2.1.

This species differs from the type of Orthotomus in the short tail, but has the characters of the genus sufficiently marked to be included in it. Sexes exactly alike in plumage. Principal food, black ants.

Genus Budytes, Cuv.

82. Budytes citreola. Motacilla citreola, Lath. This is the variety A. of Mot. citreola of Dr. LATHAM, vol. 6. p. 330. Length 6.7 inches: tail 2.8.

This bird so closely resembles the European species, that Colonel SYKES has not ventured to separate it. It has the habits of a Motacilla, but its long hind claw sufficiently distinguishes it, and M. CUVIER has facilitated research in forming a genus for such Wagtails as have this claw.

83. BUDYTES MELANOCEPHALA, Bud. olivaceo-varidis; corpore subtùs nitidè flavo; capite, nuchá, rectricibusque nigris, herum duabus lateralibus albo marginatis ; alis fuscis, plumis olivaceo-flavo notatis.

Irides intensè rufo-brunneæ. Longitudo corporis 6.8 unc., caudæ 3.

These are solitary birds, and are rarely found, excepting in the beds of rivers. In seven specimens four birds only were examined, and they happened to be males; so that Colonel SYKES is uncertain with respect to the female.

84. BUDYTES BEEMA. Bud, olivaceo-viridis, subtus flavus; capite suprà griseo; strigá superciliari albá; alis fuscis plumis flavescenti marginatis; cauda atrá, rectricibus duabus lateralibus albis.

Irides flavo-brunneæ. Statura præcedentis.

This bird very closely resembles Budytes flava of Europe, but differs in the shade of the upper plumage, in the hind claw being two-tenths of an inch longer, and in the base of the lower mandible being whitish. This is a solitary bird in beds of rivers: female not known.

Genus Motacilla, Auct.

85. Motacilla variegata, Steph., vol. 13, p. 234. Pied Wagtail, Lath., vol. 6, p. 320, pl. 114. Mot. picata, Frankl.

86. MOTACILLA DUKHUNENSIS. Mot. dorso scapularibusque pallescenti-griseis, cauda tectricibus ad apicem nigrescentibus; capitè supra, nucha, gutture, pectore, rectricibusque mediis atris; frontis fascia latá, corpore subtùs, plumarum marginibus, alarum remigibus primariis exceptis, rectricibusque duabus lateralibus albis; remigibus fuscis.

Irides intense rufo-brunneæ. Statura Mot. alba.

Sexes do not differ in size or plumage; but young birds have the black less pronounced. This is the most common and abundant Wagtail in the Dukhun, frequenting not only the beds of rivers, but the plains; and Colonel SYKES has seen it in his own garden frequently. It very closely resembles the Mot. alba, of Europe, but differs in being of a light slate or cinereous instead of a blackish cinereous, and in the wing-coverts and secondaries being edged with broader white. It is almost identical with the Mot. alba of the Northern Expedition.

Genus Megalurus, Horsf.

87. MEGALURUS ? RUFICEPS. Meg. oliva ceo-brunneus, subtus albescens, pectore brunneo striato: capite genisque brunnescentirufis, striga superciliari rufescente; capitis dorsique plumarum rhachibus pallidioribus; rostro pedibusque luteis. Longitudo corporis 7.5 unc., caudæ 2.2.

Wings short: tail equal, narrow. Female unknown. Black ants only found in the stomach. This bird has the air of the Anthus Richardi figured in the Planches coloriées, 101. Frequents the plains only, like a Lark.

Genus Anthus Bechst, Pipit.

88. ANTHUS AGILIS. Anth. olivaceo-brunneus; subtùs rufescenti-albescens, fusco-brunneo striatus; remigibus fluvo-olivaceo marginatis ; ungue postico subelongato, subcurvato.

Irides fusco-sanguineæ. Longitudo corporis 6.8 unc., caudæ 2.5.

Found on open stony lands: female unknown. Closely resembles the Titlark of Europe. Its chief difference is in the hind toe.

Genus Saxicola. Bechst, Wheatear.

89. Saxicola rubicola, Temm.

Stone Chat.

Irides intense brown. These birds were met with only in low scattered bushes. Caterpillars, flies and ants found in the stomach,

90. SAXICOLA BICOLOR. Sac. atra; fascia alarum, uropygio, abdomine medio, crissoque albis.

Rostrum pedesque nigri. Irides fuscæ. Longitudo corporis 5.8 unc., caudæ 2.4. Female unknown. Three males were examined. Black ants, caterpillars and beelets were found in the stomach. Habits of the preceding.

91. SAXICOLA RUBECULOIDES.

Sax. cinereo-brunnea, subtùs alba; gula thoraceque

rufis; nectricibus mediis nigrescentibus, cæteris ad basin albis.
Irides intensè brunneæ. Longitudo corporis 4.7 unc., caudæ 2.

92. SAXICOLA ERYTHROPYGIA. Sax. fusco-brunnea; subtùs rufo-brunnea, abdomine
fusco vix striato; uropygio rufo; crisso rufo tincto.
Statura Sax. bicoloris. Male unknown.

Genus Phænicura, Jard. & Selb.

93. Phœnicura atrata, Jard. & Selb. Indian Redstart, lid.

This bird is of the size of the Redstart of Europe, and has the same habits. It has a very peculiar manner of vibrating its tail when seated on a bough, as if it had an ague fit. A pair of these birds built their nest in an outhouse constantly frequented by Colonel SYKES's servants, and within reach of the hand. They had no alarms.

94. Phoenicura Suecica. Motacilla Suecica, Linn.

Not differing from the tail 2.

European bird. Irides deep brown. Length 5.9 inches;

Fam. Pipride, Vigors.

Genus Parus, Linn. Titmouse.

95. Parus atriceps, Horsf. Mésange Cap-nègre, Temm., Pl. Col. 287. f. 2. 96. Parus xanthogenys. Vigors, Proceedings Zool. Soc. I. p. 23. Figured in GOULD'S 'Century of Himalayan Birds.'

Irides sienna brown. Tongue divided into four short lacinia at the tip. Wasps, bugs, grass seeds, and the fruit of the Cactus Opuntia were found in the stomachs of both species.

Tribus CONIROSTRES, Cuv.

Fam. Fringillida, Vigors.-Genus Alauda, Auct.

97. Alauda Gulgula, Frankl.

This is the common Lark of the Dukhun, with the habits and notes of the Skylark of Europe. When confined in a cage and shrouded from the light, it learns to imitate the notes of other birds, and even quadrupeds. The male is crested. It is called Chundoola in Dukhun. Irides sepia brown. Length 6.7 inches; tail 2.3 Food, grasshoppers.

98. ALAUDA DEVA. Al. rufescenti-brunnea brunneo intensiori notata; corpore subtùs striáque superciliari rufescenti-albis, pectore brunneo striato; capite cristato, brunneo striato; rectricibus brunneis rufo marginatis.

Statura minor quàm præcedentis.

99. ALAUDA DUKHUNENSIS. Al. corpore suprà griseo-brunneo, plumis in medio fuscobrunneo notatis; subtùs albescens, pectore strigáque superciliari rufescentibus ; rectricibus fusco-brunneis duabus lateralibus albo marginatis.

Irides intensè brunneæ. Longitudo corporis 6.3 unc., caudæ 2. Grass seeds only found in the stomach. Frequents stony plains. Genus Mirafra, Horsf.

100. Mirafra phœnicura, Frankl.

This bird is characterized by the lightness, shortness, abruptness, and sudden ascents and descents of its flight. Irides, yellow-brown. Granivorous.

Genus Emberiza, Auct. Bunting.

101. Emberiza melanocephala, Scop.

This native of Corfu is common to Western India. It appears in considerable flocks at the ripening of the bread grain Jowaree (Andropogon Sorghum) in December. Irides, intense brown. Length, 7.3 inches: tail, 3 inches. Granivorous. Allied to Emb. luteola, Mus. Carls. vol. iv., t. 93.

102. Emberiza hortulana, Linn. Red-brown Bunting.

This, although not absolutely identical, is so closely allied to the European bird, that Colonel SYKES cannot separate it. Irides, intense brown. Length, 7.1 inches; tail 3 inches. Grass seeds only found in the stomach. Bird, solitary.

103. Emberiza cristata, Vigors, Proceed. Zool. Soc. I. p. 35.

Length 63 inches: tail 2.7 inches. Rare in Dukhun, and found only on rocky and bushy mountains. Female of a uniform sooty brown. Grass seeds only found in the stomach. Native of China and Nepaul as well as Dukhun. 104. EMBERIZA SUBCRISTATA. Emb. suprá intensè brunnea, plumis brunneo pallidiori marginatis; subtùs pallidè brunnea, fusco striata; alarum plumarum rectricumque lateralium marginibus, rectricibusque duabus mediis castaneis; capite subcristato. Irides intensè brunneæ. Rostrum rufo-brunneum. Longitudo corporis 6.6 unc., caudæ 2.5.

Sexes alike in size and plumage, Birds rare and solitary, and found only in the open spaces on high mountains. This bird is pronounced in Europe to be the