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Show 214 MR. SCLATER ON BIRDS FROM BRITISH GUIANA. [Feb. 1, Bonaparte's Thilius major may have been possibly founded upon an example of this species; but the description is too short to be certain; and, as I have been kindly informed by M . Alph. Dubois, the type specimen (stated to be in the Brussels Museum) cannot be found. I have therefore named this interesting addition to the Guianan avifauna after its discoverer, who has supplied me with the subjoined note on it. Bill of Ayelceus imthurni. " A considerable flock of these birds, numbering about 40, was always to be found during the three days I remained in the neighbourhood, in the trees on the edge of the forest round the open plateau from which the Kaieteur falls. They attracted considerable attention by their incessant chattering, their note being like, but far less shrill than, that of Cassicus persicus. These cries were kept up throughout the day, and were almost the only bird-notes to be heard about noon. The Indians of m y own party, who were not from that district, had never seen the birds before; but some Acka-wor Indians who lived in that neighbourhood declared that they knew them well: this, as Indians are very careful observers of birds, shows almost conclusively that the species is local in Guiana. Between us we secured three specimens." 5. OCHTHCECA MURINA, Scl. Ochthozca murina, Scl. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 749. An example from the Corentyn river, obtained in July 1879. I am glad to have the habitat of this species confirmed, as it is by Mr. im Thurn's specimen, and by others collected in the same district, I believe, by Mr. C. Barrington Brown, one of which is in my collection. 6. HETEROPELMA IGNICEPS, Scl. Heteropelma igniceps, Scl. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 750. Three skins of this species were obtained by Mr. im Thurn on the Corentyn river (1879) and one on the Essequibo. The two former quite agree with my typical specimen; the latter has a rather paler crest, and is probably a female. Mr. im Thurn tells me that this bird is common enough throughout the colony, not only near the coast, but also in the interior ; on the Rupumini savannas, bordering on the Brazil, he has seen many examples. |