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Show ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. This bird is very common in the neighbourhood of Maldonado, where it frequents the open gra$sy plains. It sits on the top of a thistle, or on a twig, and catches the greater part of its food on the wing. It is generally quiet in its movements and silent. Mr. Gould remarks, that he finds "nearly all the species of this peculiar group to differ remarkably in the structure of theil' wings and tail, while in all other respects they closely resemble each other both in form and habit; I have, therefore, hesitated to separate them into so many genera. I have assigned the present species to Mr. Swainson's subgenus Fluvicola, considering that differences in the form of one organ alone would not be sufficient grounds for the institution of a new genus among such closely allied species ; the present bird evidently leads off to Tcenioptem, a genus proposed many years since, by the Prince of Musignano for the Pepoazas of Azara. "This species is closely allied to, if not identical with the Pepoaza Dominicana of Azara, but as there is a degree of obscurity in his description, which causes some doubt on this point, I have considered it better to pay a just tribute of respect to that zealous labourer in the field of natural science, by assigning his name to this very elegant bird." 1. XoLMIS CORONATA. G. R. Gray. Tyrannus coronatus, Vieill. Ency. Moth. p. 885. Muscicapa vittiger, Licltt. Cat. p. 54. My specimen was obtained on the wooded banks of the Parana, near Santa Fe, in Lat. 31° S. Boie's name of Xolmis is adopted by Mr. G. R. Gray, as it was proposed some five years anteriorly to that of the Prince of Musignano's. 2. Xouns NENGETA. G. R. Gray. Lanius nengcta., Linne, 1. p. 135. 7. Tyrannus nengeta., SuJains. Journ. Sci. xx. p. 279. Fluvicola ncngeta, Swains. Nat. Libr. Fly-catchers, p. 102. pl. 8. Tyrannus pepoaza, Vieill. Ency. Metb. p. 855. Muscicapa polyglotta, Licltt. Spi:c. II. pl. 24. Tyrannus polyglottus, Cuv. Le Pepoaza propremont dit, Aza1·a, No. 201. My specimen was procured at Maldonado, north bank of La Plata, where it is not common. Its habits in many respects are like those of the Fbevicola Azarce; it appears to catch its prey on the wing. Iris bl'ight red. |
