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Show 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 601 rimis: alis extus ccerulescenti-einereis: speculo alari ceneo-viridi; tectricibus alarum et secundariis albo auguste terminatis : abdomine nigro, ventre medio fusco variegato : crisso et uropygio nigris, albo minute vermiculatis: cauda fuscescenti-cinerea unicolori; tectricibus subalaribus cinereis: rostro et pedibus obscure rubris: long, tota 16*0, alee 7'5, caudce 5*0, rostri a rictu 1*5, tarsi 1*8, digiti medii cum ungue 2*3. Fem. Supra cinerea, lateribus cervicis et uropygio albo nigroque minute vermiculatis ; dorso nigro flammulato; alis albo bifasciatis : speculo alari obscure ceneo-viridi ; subtus fulvo-rufa unicolor : long, tota 16*0, alee 6*4, caudee 4*0, rostri a rictu 1*35. Hab. in Andibus Peruviae meridionalis. In our paper on Mr. Whitely's birds read before this Society on the 11th of March last, we have referred this bird to the species described by Tschudi as Merganetta leucogenys. Having, however, more recently made a re-investigation of the group, we have convinced ourselves that Tschudi's bird is, so far as can be decided by his figure and description, inseparable from the Merganetta Columbiana of N ew Granada, and that the present species must be regarded as undescribed, being equally distinct from the New-Granadan form, and from the Chilian Merganetta armata. From the former it differs in its larger size, and black breast and flanks, which are only relieved by some brownish marks in the middle of the belly. In the New-Granadan bird, which is well represented in Des Murs's ' Iconographie' (tab. vi.), the whole abdomen is white, sparingly striped with narrow blackish markings, and the bill is narrower and much less elevated than in this species. Merganetta armata, of which an excellent figure will be found in Gray and Mitchell's ' Genera of Birds,' resembles the present bird in having a black breast; but the edges of the scapularies are white instead of rufous, and the throat aud fore neck are black, instead of being pure white as in its two northern allies. It would seem, therefore, that our new species occupies an intermediate position as regards the differential characters of the male, just as it does in geographical range, between the two known species. As regards the female, our specimen does not appear to differ in colour from the corresponding sex of Merganetta armata (Des Murs, Icon. t. xlviii.). W e are not yet acquainted with the female of ilf. leucogenys; but iu all probability it would also bear a similar dress. The male bird now described was shot and skinned by Mr. Turner, a friend of Mr. Whitely's, near Tinta. W e have therefore acceded to Mr. Whitely's request to call it, if new, after his friend's name. The female was obtained by Mr. Whitely himself in the same neighbourhood. 13. PHALACROCORAX BRASILIANUS (Gm.). Graculus brasilianus, Bp. Consp. ii. p. 170. A single skin, apparently referable to this widely distributed species of Cormorant. |