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Show 1868.] MR. P. L. SCLATER ON NEW FORM1CARIANS. 571 2. Descriptions of some New or little-known Species of For-micarians. By P. L. S C L A T E R , M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., Secretary to the Society. (Plate XLIII.) Having lately had occasion to look carefully through the specimens of Formicariidae in m y collection in order to identify some of the species described in the second part of Herr von Pelzeln's 'Ornithologie Brasiliens,' I have found amongst them examples of five well-marked species which appear to have been hitherto unnoticed, and of which I subjoin the descriptions, together with that of a species which seems to constitute a new genus in the family. These are:- 1. THAMNOPHILUS NIGRICEPS. Supra brunneo-rufescens, interscapulio, alis extus et cauda tota saturate rufis; dorsi plumis laxis, elongatis, usque ad mediam caudam protensis, ad basin cinereis, juxta apicem rufescentibus : capite toto cum gutture et pectore nigris, plumarum scapis in pileo angustissime, in corpore inferiore latius, albo strigatis :. subtus ex cinereo fulvus, hypochondriis et crisso rufescente perfusis,ventre medio sicut pectus striato: remigum marginibus internis cum subalaribus pallide fulvis : rostro nigricanti-plumbeo, pedibus fuscis : long, tota 6*0, alee 3*0, caudce 2*75, rostri a rictu 0*8, tarsi 0*9 (poll. Angl. et dec). Hab. in Nova Granada int. Mus. P. L.S. The single specimen of this bird in m y collection was obtained out of a collection of Bogota skins, and presented to me by Mr. Osbert Salvin. It is a small, rather weakly formed species, about the size of Th. doliatus, and but for its long tail might almost go with Dysithamnus. In colouring it is not very like any other known species, but is readily distinguishable by its black head and breast which are marked with white shaft-spots, and rufous wings and tail. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh primaries are nearly equal and largest. 2. NEOCTANTES NIGER. Xenops niger, Natt. MS.: Pelzeln, Sitz. K. Akad.Wiss. xxxiv. p. 111. Pteroptochus niger, Pelzeln, Orn. Bras. p. 46. This singular bird was originally described by Herr von Pelzeln as a Xenops, under the designation which it had received in Natterer's M S . In his recently published 'Ornithologie Brasiliens,' Herr von Pelzeln has removed it to the genus Pteroptochus; but a glance at the structure of the nostrils (which have no traces of the characteristic operculum of the Pteroptochidee) is sufficient to show that this is not its natural position. For myself, I believe that it may be correctly removed to the Thamnophilinae, with which it agrees in general structure, but that it must stand as the type of a new |
