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Show 488 MR. p. L. SCLATER O N T H E BIRDS O F LIMA. [Apr. o, 10,000 feet. Food minute coleopterous insects. Irides black. Total length 4 ^ inches, wing 2 ^. " P.S. I have since received two more examples ; all three are females."-W. N. 10. RAMPHOMICRON OLIVACEUM (Lawr.). Ramphomicron olivaceum, Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 158. Mr. Nation sends a female example of this scarce bird, of which I have a male obtained bv Jelski at Junin, Peru {cf Tacz. P. Z. S. 1874, p. 544.) " A male and female of this species were shot on the western side of the Cordillera at an altitude of 15,600 feet. The scaly luminous feathers, which are only present in the male, have, according to the position in which the bird is held in the light, three different colours : the upper ones are greenish, the middle ones scarlet, and the lower ones Blue. I have sent you the female. Food exceedingly small coleopterous insects. Total length 4y^ inches, wing 3^. Irides black."-W. N. 11. METALLURA OPACA (Tsch.). Metallura opaca, Elliot, Syn. Troch. p. 163. Metallura cupreicauda, Gould, Mon. Troch. iii. pi. 191. "Female. This Humming-bird is found on the western side of the Cordillera, at an altitude of from 8000 to 15,000 feet. I have remarked that each individual has one or two white feathers, sometimes on the head and sometimes on the back, but never in the same place in two individuals. The contents of the stomach of many birds are minute coleopterous insects. Total length 4T 5^ inches, wing 2T 8^-. Irides black."-W. N. 12. COLAPTES RUPICOLA, d'Orb. Voy. dans l'Am. mer. p. 377, t. lxii. fig. 1. This example agrees nearly with Mr. Whitely's skins from South Peru; but the pectoral spots are rather more cordate, thus showing an approach to the form recently described by M. Taczanowski as O. stolzmanni (P. Z. S. 1880, p. 209). " This bird is found on the eastern side of the Cordillera, on plains without any thing in the shape of trees or bushes, at an altitude of 12,1/0 feet. In 1851 I saw it singly and in pairs on the rocks, and occasionally clinging to the rude stone walls of the few huts, where, in the crevices, perhaps it makes its nest. I thought it exceedingly fearless. I found in its stomach many large larvae exceeding an inch in length, and some bits of stones. The total length of the adult male is 14T 2y inches, wing 7TV Irides pure yellow. Sexes similar ; spots on the female rather smaller and duller."-W. N. |