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Show 982 MESSRS. SCLATER A N D SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. [Dec. 12, 5. On Peruvian Birds collected by Mr. H. Whitely. By P. L. SCLATER, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., and OSBERT SALVIN, F.Z.S.-Part I. (Plate XLVI.) The present paper contains an account of the first collection of birds formed by Mr. Henry Whiteley, junior, during his new expedition to South-western Peru. The following are extracts from several of Mr. Whitely's letters, relating to his journey and the countries visited:- (Letter I., Islay.) " I left Southampton April 2nd of the present year, and, after a fine voyage, arrived at Islay, vid Panama, on the evening of the 6th of May. I went out on the following day and shot m y first bird in Peru, which in habits was very similar to our Wheatear*. In a few days I intend to make some excursions to the hills after Humming-birds, as the Gulls and Terns are all away from here at this season. From the residents of Islay I have received the greatest kindness and assistance. " I have made two trips to the ' Lomas.' These ' Lomas' are hills about six miles from Islay. Between them are valleys in which there are running streams of water. In these valleys there is plenty of vegetation, small flowering shrubs, fir trees, olive-trees, & c, which are frequented by numerous species of birds. Here also I obtained nearly all the specimens of Humming-birds sent in the first collection." (Letter II., Arequipa.) "I left Islay for Arequipa at 12 A.M. on the 19th, being accompanied part of the way by some good friends from Islay. W e parted company at a house on the hills, and I then went on with m y guide. I had two horses with me for the journey. M y luggage will be sent up on mules. "After making a gradual ascent up the hill for about 3000 feet, we came to a large plain, which extends for about forty-five miles. As soon as you get on this plain you can see the volcano of Arequipa, which is covered with snow at the top-and also some of the high peaks of the Andes, which are also covered with snow. " In the centre of the plain there is a very respectable sort of an inn, kept by an Englishman. W e arrived here at 6 o'clock in the evening ; I had some refreshments, and then went to bed and slept five hours, and left the inn at half-past one in the morning. W e galloped along the plain until we got to the foot of the hills, which we reached at half-past three A.M. I then slept until six o'clock, and started for Arequipa. In the plain there are some most peculiar mounds of sand in the shape of a horseshoe, which must have been blown from a considerable distance, as there is no sand of the same colour anywhere on the plains. The colour of the sand on the mounds is a dark lead, whilst the sand of the plains is of a reddish colour. " After ascending and descending several times, we at last caught * It was Muscisaxicola mentalis (Lafr. et D'Orb.).-P. L. S. |
