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Show 98 MR. P. L. SCLATER O N T H E BIRDS OF LIMA. [Feb. 13, 9. GEOSITTA PERUVIANA, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1847, p. 75. " Frequents plains so dry and dusty that one would think nothing animate could be found in them. Feeds on atomic Coleopterous insects and spiders. I have lately found out its haunt. Irides brownish black."-W. N. The first example I have met with of this interesting species, described by Lafresnaye from examples procured by Delattre near Lima. 10. GEOSITTA CRASSIROSTRIS, sp. nov. " Found on the hills around Lima and by the sea-side. It is a very shy bird, and I know very little about it yet."-W. N. I was inclined at first to refer this species to Certhilauda tenui-rostris, D'Orb. (Voy. p. 359, pi. 43. f. 2), although it does not quite agree with D'Orbigny's description ; but having entrusted the specimen to Mr. Salvin to compare with the typical specimens of that species in the Paris Museum, I am enabled, through his kindness, to say that it is quite different. I therefore propose to call it Geositta crassirostris. Its description is as follows :- G. supra obscure nigricans, plumispallido fusco marginatis; su-perciliis et capitis lateribus albicantibus: alis obscure nigris, remige externo unicolore, secundo et sequentibus plaga magna fulvo-rufa, gradatim crescente et in secundariis basin totam utriusque pogonii occupante, notatis : remigis septimi et se-quentium et secundariurum apicibus fusco-rufis : subtus cine-rascenti- alba, gutture puriore, lateribus et crisso fulvo tinctus: alarum tectricibus inferioribus larte rufis : cauda fulvo-rufa, fascia lata ante-apicali nigra ; rectricibus duabus mediis dorso concoloribus: rostro et pedibus obscure fuscis. Long, tota 6-5, alae 3-6, caudae 2*1, rostri a rictu lin. dir. 1*2, tarsi 1 poll. Angl. Hab. in Peruviae occidentalis regione maritima. Obs. Aff. G. tenuirostri, sed rostro breviore et crassiore et alis brevioribus distinguenda. Mr. Salvin remarks that " the bill of this species is much stronger and shorter than in G. tenuirostris, and that in the latter the bill is dark yellowish brown, clear yellow one-third of the base of the under mandible. Also the tarsi and feet of the present bird are much stouter, and the hind claw stronger and more curved. The whole bird is of a darker brown above than G. tenuirostris; the secondary quills and tail of G. tenuirostris have no subterminal dark band, or rather only have it faintly shown on the underside of the feather; the under plumage of G. tenuirostris is more tawny." These differences have since been confirmed by examination of two examples of G. tenuirostris in the British Museum. 11. PHLEOCRYPTES MELANOPS (Vieill.). " Everywhere near Lima, not a wall, not a ditch, not a heap of rubbish, but one or two of these birds can be seen. A Tartar for |
