OCR Text |
Show 1885.] PROF. W. NATION ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 279 mouth of the Andean valleys. The nest is always found on human habitations. In the vicinity of Lima and within twelve miles of the walls there are at present fourteen colonies. I hope to give a fuller account of this interesting species soon. 2. PSITTACULA ANDICOLA, Finsch. This robust little mountain Parrot, which seems to be peculiar to the higher parts of the Western valleys of Peru, is found in the valley of the Rimac wherever vegetation can be seen on the mountainsides. It associates in parties of from 5 to 50 individuals; when disturbed flies to a short distance, and generally alights upon a bush of the greenish foliage. In its habits it resembles so much the common coast species (Brotogerys aurifrons) that I have always considered it, whenever I have seen it feeding in its habitat, to be of the same species. Mr. Dallas mistook it for B. aurifrons also, and sent me excuses for sending such a common bird. It is remarkable that two Parrots specifically and generically distinct should resemble each other so closely in colour, form, and habit, and inhabit, one the lower part of a valley, and the other the upper part of it. The tail of this species is very peculiar. My first impression, on seeing it, was that the two middle tail-feathers had been lost. The wing also seemed to be disproportionally long. These striking peculiarities are lost in the most carefully prepared skin; whilst dissecting it I observed that the skin (not as observed in any other Parrot) was quite green on both surfaces. Irides black ; bill yellowish green. Total length 6 y6^ inches, wing 4 T 4 ff. [Two skins of this species forwarded to me by Prof. Nation agree well with others in m y collection from Paucartambo (Whitely) and Punamarca (Jelski). Cf. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 679.-P. L. S.] 3. CYPSELUS ANDICOLA. This beautiful Swift inhabits the western valleys of the Peruvian Andes from 6000 feet to 13,000. Mr. Dallas found large flocks of this species flying over meadows at 8000 feet, in October 1883. In February 1884 it had disappeared from the place where it was found by Mr. Dallas, and was seen at 13,000 feet in the same valley. All the birds found near the Cordillera during warmer months of the year descend the valleys on the approach of winter. M y present knowledge of this bird is very imperfect: I have traced it in the western valley of the Andes more than 300 miles to the south of Lima and a little more on the north. I have also discovered that it is found on the other side of the Andes, and that it breeds at high altitudes under the eaves of houses. I have written to a German o-entleman, under the roof of whose house it is said to build its nest, to send me an account of its habits ; but I have received no answer yet. Bill black ; irides black. Total length 5 T % inches ; wing 5T 9„. [1 have previously only seen examples of this fine Swift from as far north as Arequipa and Tinta in Peru (P. Z. S. 1868, p. 569). Mr. Nation's skin agrees with Whitely's specimens.-P. L. S.] 19* |