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Show 342 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [Mai*. 28, 6. SYCALIS LUTEIVENTRIS (Meyen). Prof. Nation's specimen of this species agrees best with a skin collected by Fraser at Cuenca in Ecuador, which I have hitherto referred (Cat. A. B. p. 126) to S. arvensis of Chili. Chilian examples, however, are certainly rather larger in size, and not so bright in colouring, so that it may be necessary to separate the northern form. In this case the latter may take the name luteiventris of Meyen*, which is founded on Peruvian specimens. " This bird does not reside with us all the year round, but breeds here. I have one in a cage, and never heard any South-American bird sing so sweetly."-W. N. 7. EUPSILOSTOMA PUSILLUM, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1860, pp. 68, 283, et.Cat. A. B. p. 215. These skins agree very well with the types described I. c, which were collected by Fraser at Pallatanga and Babahoyo. "This little bird is quite new to me. It is so small and so secluded in its habits as to have hitherto escaped my notice. I have lately found its nest, and, knowing its haunts, shall soon get a clue to its habits."-W. N. 8. TYRANNUS MELANCHOLICUS, Vieill. Agrees with the northern form called satrapa by Cabanis and Heine, and in my ' A^merican Catalogue.' "Very rare in Lima. I found four birds on a dry branch of a tree overhanging a mud wall, in which Mason-wasps (Pelopceus flavipes) were making their nest. By the aid of a glass I observed that every time a Pelopceus passed the Tyrants captured it, and returned to the branch to eat it. I obtained two specimens."-W. N. 9. ANTROSTOMUS AEQUICAUDATUS (Peale). Gaprimulyus ccquicaudatus, Peale, Zool. Expl. Exp. Birds, p. 168. " Stenopsis parvulus, Gould," Cassin, ib. ed. 2. p. 188. " Near Lima, and probably all along the Peruvian coast, we have only the present species of Caprimulgus. Its favourite haunts are dry stony places, where there is little or no vegetation, and no water near. In such spots the colour of the earth harmonizes with the plumage of the bird, so that even a hawk cannot see it at a few yards distance. Nestled on the shady side of a stone or clot of dry earth to protect it from the scorching sun, it must be almost trodden upon before it takes to wing, and flies noiselessly to a few yards distance, where it settles again on the ground without outspread wings. If repeatedly disturbed it will fly to a greater distance, but returns to its old haunts when alarm has subsided. " The female makes no nest, but lays one egg, of a bluish grey marbled with brown, on the ground. Having observed that our European species will remove its egg if touched, I was curious to see whether this Goatsucker would do likewise. On finding, therefore, * Nov. Act. xvi. Suppl. pl. 12. f. 3. |