ME R U L A R E E V E I {Lawr.).
PUNA-ISLAND OUZEL.
Turdus reevii, Lawrence, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. ix. p. 234 (1870).
Merida reevii, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 254 (1881).
Cossyphopsis reevii, Stejneger, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. y. p. 478 (1882).
M. rostro et pedibus flavis : suprà schistacea : gutture albo, nigro striato : subtùs brunnescenti-grisea : subalaribus
brunnescenti-griseis vel aurantiaco-fulvis (juv.).
O f this species I have at present examined but a single specimen in the Salvin-Godman Collection,
and this is unfortunately not mature. The type specimen from Puna Island, in the Gulf of Guayaquil,
is in the U.S. National Museum, and has been described by Mr. Seebohm in the ‘ Catalogue of
Birds.’ A specimen from Lechugal, in Peru, is in Dr. Raimondi’s Collection (Tacz. Orn. Pérou,
i. p. 490). These examples are, I believe, the only ones at present known in museums.
Dr. Stejneger considers that this species should be generically separated from the species of
Merula, on account of the shortness of the genys and the emarginate shapè of the tail. This last
feature is not shown in the specimen in the Salvin-Godman Collection, but, as the latter is not mature,
too much reliance need not be placed on the fact. The coloration and form of M. reevei are
certainly peculiar, but I am unable to judge of its generic distinction without examining adult
specimens.
The following is the description of the type drawn up by Mr. Seebohm (I. c.) fl|-The general
colour of the upper parts is slate-grey, shading into dark slate on the head ; lores brown ; ear-coverts
dark slate-grey ; no trace of eye-stripe ; wings brown, the wing-coverts, innermost secondaries, and
unemarginated portions of the outer webs of quills slate-grey ; tail brown, the central feathers and
outside webs of the other tail-feathers slate-grey. Chin and upper throat nearly white, streaked with
nearly black ; rest of underparts pale brownish-grey, shading into nearly white on the centre of the
belly ; under tail-coverts nearly white ; axillaries and under wing-coverts pale brownish-grey ; inner
margin of quills pale slate-grey. Bill bright yellow. Wing with the third, fourth, and fifth primaries
nearly equal and longest, second primary intermediate in length between the seventh and eighth,
bastard-primary IT to 0’95 inch. Legs, feet, and claws pale yellow. Length of wing 4’68 to
4-45 inches, tail 3*93 to 3-55, culmen 0-9, tarsus 1'25 to T21.
Judging from the specimen from Puna Island, in the Salvin-Godman Collection, the young bird
is dark olive-brown, streaked with buff down the centre of the feathers, which have also triangular
spots at the tips of the wing-coverts and inner secondaries. The under surface of the body is
brownish-buff, mottled with blackish bars at the ends of the feathers. The under wing-coverts and
axillaries are orange-buff. Bill brown, yellow towards the tip. Total length 8 inches, culmen 0*91,
wing 4'6, tail 3*3, tarsus T25.
The figure of the adult in the Plate is, I believe, drawn from the typical specimen in the
U.S. National Museum, having been lent to Mr. Seebohm. The right-hand figure represents the
young bird in the Salvin-Godman Collection, and is the one which I have alluded to above.
[R. B. S.]