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Show 1869.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON THE ASTURINAE. 133 always been applied to this bird, must be restricted to the preceding species, we propose to call it after the naturalist who first appreciated the differences between them. 5. ASTURINA RUFICAUDA, sp. n. Asturina magnirostris, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1856, p. 285, 1859, p. 368, 1864, p. 178. Asturina magnirostris, Scl. et Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 217; Lawr. Ann. L. N. Y. vii. p. 316, viii. p. 178; Moore, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 52. Supra obscure cinerea: subtus gula et pectore obscure cinereis : ventre toto cum tibiis ferrugineo et pallido fulvo frequenter transfasciatis : cauda nigra, ferrugineo trivittata et terminata. Hab. Cordova (Salle) ; Jalapa (De Oca) ; Mexico city (White) ; Omoa (Leyland); Guatemala (Salvin); Veragua (Arce); David (Hicks). As in the case of A. nitida, the northern representative of the present group of Asturinee appears in its adult dress to be readily distinguishable from the southern forms, and to require specific separation. From A. magnirostris and A. nattereri it differs in the deep-red tail-bands, the corresponding colour in the two last-mentioned species being pale cinereous. In younger specimens of A. ruficauda these bands are likewise cinereous, but in nearly every case show traces'" of rufescent colouring beginning to appear. In the general colour of its under plumage A. ruficauda more nearly resembles A. nattereri than A. magnirostris, having the belly, flanks, and thighs of the same rich ferruginous tinge which distinguishes A. nattereri; but in the present bird the throat and chest are usually of a pale cinereous, thus more resembling A. magnirostris. W e have examined a great number of specimens of this bird from various parts of Southern Mexico and Central America. In Guatemala, where it is one of the commonest species of Hawk, Salvin obtained examples from the plains of Zacapa, the Pacific coast-region, the valley of the river Polochic, Choctum in the forest-region of Vera Paz, and the savannas of the district of Peten. W e have also received specimens from Costa Rica, Veragua, and Panama, besides the Mexican series obtained by Salle and his coadjutors. Asturina ruficauda, though thus widely distributed, is not found in the elevated mountain districts, but frequents the lowland plains up to an elevation of about 2500 feet above the sea-level. Its food in Guatemala consists almost entirely of small snakes and lizards. 6. ASTURINA PUCHERANI. Esparvero indaye, Azara, Apunt. i. p. 131. no. 30. Astur magnirostris, Hartl. Ind. Azara, p. 2; D'Orb. Voy. Ois. p. 91. Nisus magnirostris, Burm. P. Z. S. 1868, p. 623. Asturina pucherani, J. et E. Verreaux, R. Z. 1855, p. 350. Falco gularis, Licht. in Mus. Berol*. |
