[[p. 348]] In a collection just received from Mr. Allen, made during a visit to the north of Gilolo and the adjacent island of Morty, a few species occur not included in the list published by Mr. G. R. Gray. Two of these, a Tanysiptera and a Tropidorhynchus, are from Morty (a small island to the north of Gilolo), to which they are no doubt strictly confined, other and very distinct species of the same genera taking their place in Gilolo itself; and they are further interesting as marking the northern limit to which these two genera are yet known to extend. The other birds found at Morty are Gilolo species, with the exception of a Crow, which appears to agree best with the Corvus orru of New Guinea, and Butalis hypogrammica, n. s., which agrees with specimens from Ceram, but has not yet been found in Gilolo.

     The island possesses an active volcano, but otherwise consists only of raised coral-rock and sand. It has therefore, probably, never been connected with any other land, but has been gradually [[p. 349]] raised in the ocean by volcanic agency. While this was going on, it would be peopled by stragglers from the surrounding countries, and an overwhelming proportion of Gilolo species would naturally result from the proximity of that island. The species of Tanysiptera and Tropidorhynchus, which, from being generally very local, we may conclude to be peculiarly subject to modification, are those which have undergone the greatest amount of change, and already present us with well-marked specific characters.