[Illustration:
_Birds. Pl. 5._
_Progne modestus._
]
My specimens were obtained at Monte Video, (November) and Bahia Blanca,
39° S. (September) how much further southward this species extends I do
not know. Jardine says, that in North America it migrates during summer
as far as the Great Bear Lake, in Lat. 66° N.; it is mentioned by M.
Audubon, at New Orleans, 30° N., and by Mr. Swainson, at Pernambuco, in
8½° S.; we may, therefore, conclude that it ranges throughout both
Americas, but it is not found in the Old World. Wilson describes this
bird as a great favourite with the inhabitants of North America, both
European and Indian, who erect boxes and other contrivances near their
houses for it to build in. At Bahia Blanca, the females were beginning
to lay in September, (corresponding to our March): they had excavated
deep holes in a cliff of compact earth, close by the side of the larger
burrows inhabited by the ground parrot of Patagonia, (_Psittacara
Patagonica_.) I noticed several times a small flock of these birds,
pursuing each other, in a rapid and direct course, flying low, and
screaming in the manner so characteristic of the English Swift,
(_Hirundo Apus_, Linn.)
2. PROGNE MODESTA. _Gould._
PLATE V.
Hirundo concolor, _Gould_, in Proceedings of the Zoological Society.
_P. nitidè cærulescenti-nigra._
Long. tot. 6 unc.; _alæ_, 5¼; _caudæ_, 2¾; _tarsi_, ½.
The upper and under surface has not so strongly a marked purple shade,
as in the _P. purpurea_. The primaries and feathers of the tail,
however, have a greenish gloss, perhaps slightly more metallic.
Tail not so deeply forked as in _P. purpurea_, which is owing to the
two external feathers on each side not being so much prolonged and
bent outward, as in that species. Nostrils of less size than in the
latter, although the beaks differ but little. Claws and feet are
much less strong, than might have been anticipated, even
proportionally to the less dimensions of this species compared with
the _P. purpurea_.
Inches.
Total length 6
Wings 5¼
Tail 2¾
Tarsi ½
Middle toe from tip of claw to joint ³⁵⁄₁₀₀
Habitat, James Island, Galapagos Archipelago, (_October_).
_Male._
This swallow was observed only on this one island of the group, and it
was there very far from common. It frequented a bold cliff of lava
overhanging the sea. Had not Mr. Gould characterized it as a distinct
species, I should have considered it only as a small variety, produced
by an uncongenial site, of the _Progne purpurea_. I can perceive no
difference whatever from that bird, excepting in its less size,
slenderness of limbs, and less deeply forked tail; and the latter
difference may perhaps be owing to youth.
1. HIRUNDO LEUCOPYGIA. _Licht._
My specimens were obtained at Port Famine, in Tierra del Fuego,
(_February_), and at Valparaiso, in Chile, (_August to September_). At
Port Famine they build in holes in a cliff of earth. Mr. Gould says,
“were it not for the bare legs of this little Martin, I should have some
difficulty in discriminating between it and the one so well known as a
summer visitor in our island.”
2. HIRUNDO FRONTALIS. _Gould._
_H. vertice, plumis auricularibus, dorso et lunulâ pectorali nitidè
cæruleo viridescentibus, notâ albâ supra nares, gulâ corporeque
subtus albicantibus, crisso niveo, alis caudâque fuscis viridi
tinctis, rostro nigro, pedibus intensè fuscis._
Long. tot. 4¾ unc.; _alæ_, 4¾; _caudæ_, 2; _tarsi_, ½.
Upper surface, with a greenish blue metallic gloss; which can faintly
be perceived on the primaries and on the tail feathers. The short
feathers over each nostril white, thus forming two small white
marks; those over the ridge of bill pale brown, giving together the
appearance of a narrow white band over the upper mandible. Entire
under surface and lining of wings pure white. Tarsi rather darker
than in _H. leucopygia_.
Very slightly larger than _H. leucopygia_; upper mandible rather
broader.
Inches.
Total length 4¾
Wings 4¾
Tail 2
Tarsi ½
Habitat, Monte Video, (_November_).
Mr. Gould says, “this species is closely allied both to the common
martin, and to the last species; from the former bird, however, its bare
legs at once distinguish it, while it differs from the latter in being
rather larger in size, in having an obscure white mark on the forehead,
at the base of the bill, and in having the metallic lustre of the upper
surface deep steel green, instead of purple, which is the prevailing
colour of both _Hirundo leucopygia_ and _H. urbica_.”
It is abundant on the northern bank of the Plata, and more common than
the _H. purpurea_, which frequents the same localities. It probably
replaces on the eastern side of the continent, the _H. leucopygia_ of
Chile.
3. HIRUNDO CYANOLEUCA. _Vieill._
It is nearly allied to the two latter species, but is readily
distinguished from them by the absence of the white rump. I procured
specimens in September, both from Valparaiso, and from Bahia Blanca
(North Patagonia). At the latter place it built in holes in the same
bank of earth with _P. purpurea_.
CYPSELUS UNICOLOR. _Jard._
C. unicolor. _Jard. et Selby_, Illust. Ornith. pl. 83.
I obtained a specimen of this bird from St. Jago, Cape de Verd Islands.
(_September_).
It more resembled a swallow than a swift in the manner of its flight. I
only saw a few of them. Insects occur so scantily over the bare and
parched plains of basaltic lava, which compose the lower parts of the
island of St. Jago, that it is surprising how these birds are able to
find the means of subsistence.
FAMILY.—HALCYONIDÆ.
HALCYON ERYTHRORHYNCHA, _Gould_, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1837.
Alcedo Senegalensis var. β, _Lath._
In January, during the first visit of the Beagle to St. Jago, in the
Cape de Verd Islands, these birds were numerous. But in our homeward
voyage, in the beginning of September, I did not see a single
individual. As Mr. Gould informs me it is an African species; it is
probably only a winter visitant to this archipelago. It lives in numbers
in the arid valleys in the neighbourhood of Porto Praya, where it may be
generally seen perched on the branch of the castor oil plant. I opened
the stomachs of several, and found them filled with the wing cases of
Orthopterous insects, the constant inhabitants of all sterile countries;
and in the craw of one there was part of a lizard. It is tame and
solitary; its flight is not swift and direct like that of the European
kingfisher. In these respects, and especially in its abundance in dry
rocky valleys where there is not a drop of water, it differs widely from
the habits of the allied genus Alcedo; although certainly it abounded
more in those valleys where streamlets occurred. This Halcyon was the
only brilliantly coloured bird which I saw on the island of St. Jago.
1. CERYLE AMERICANA. _Boie_.
Alcedo Americana, _Gmel._
This Kingfisher is common on the banks of the Parana. It frequents the
borders of lakes and rivers, and sitting on the branch of a tree, or on
a stone, it thence takes short flights, and dashes into the water to
secure its prey. Its manner of flying is neither direct nor rapid, which
character is so remarkable in the flight of the European species; but it
is weak and undulatory, and resembles that of the soft-billed birds. It
often arrests itself suddenly in its course, and hovers over the surface
of the water, preparatory to darting on some small fish. When seated on
a twig it constantly elevates and depresses its tail; and as might have
been expected from its figure, it does not sit in the stiff upright
position so peculiar to the European Kingfisher. Its note is not
unfrequently uttered: it is low, and like the clicking together of two
small stones. I was informed that it builds in trees. The internal
coating of the stomach is of a fine orange colour. Mr. Gould has seen
specimens of this bird from Mexico; it enjoys, therefore, a very wide
range.
2. CERYLE TORQUATA. _Bonap._
Alcedo torquata. _Gmel._
Ispida torquata. _Swain._
This bird is common in the south part of Chile, in Chiloe, the Chonos
Archipelago, and on the whole west coast, as far as the extreme southern
parts of Tierra del Fuego. In these countries, it almost exclusively
frequents the retired bays and channels of the sea with which the land
is intersected; and lives on marine productions. I opened the stomach of
one, and found it full of the remains of crustaceæ, and a part of a
small fish. It occurs likewise in La Plata, and is very common in
Brazil, where it haunts fresh water. It is said (_Dict. Class. d’Hist.
Nat._) to occur in the West Indian islands; it has, therefore, a wider
range (from the equatorial region to the neighbourhood of Cape Horn)
than the _Ceryle Americana_.
FAMILY.—MUSCICAPIDÆ. _Vieill._
SUB-FAM.—TYRANNINÆ. _Sw._
SAUROPHAGUS SULPHURATUS. _Swains._
Lanius sulphuratus. _Gmel._
Tyrannus magnanimus. _Vieill._ Ency. Meth. p. 850.
Tyrannus sulphuratus. _D’Orb. & Lafr._ Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 42.
The habits of this bird are singular. It is very common in the open
country, on the northern banks of the Plata, where it does not appear to
be a bird of passage. It obtains its food in many different methods. I
have frequently observed it, hunting a field, hovering over one spot
like a hawk, and then proceeding on to another. When seen from a short
distance, thus suspended in the air, it might very readily be mistaken
for one of the rapacious order; its stoop, however, is very inferior in
force and rapidity. At other times the Saurophagus haunts the
neighbourhood of water, and there, remaining stationary, like a
kingfisher, it catches any small fish which come near the margin. These
birds not unfrequently are kept, with their wings cut, either in cages
or in court-yards. They soon become tame, and are very amusing from
their cunning odd manners, which were described to me, as being similar
to those of the common magpie. Their flight is undulatory, for the
weight of the head and bill appears too great for the body. In the
evening the Saurophagus takes its stand on a bush, often by the
road-side, and continually repeats, without change, a shrill and rather
agreeable cry, which somewhat resembles articulate words. The Spaniards
say it is like the words, “Bien te veo” (I see you well), and
accordingly have given it this name.
MUSCIVORA TYRANNUS. _G. R. Gray._
Muscicapa Tyrannus. _Sw._
Tyrannus Savana. _Vieill._ _Bonap._ Am. Orn. pl. 1. f. 1.
This species belongs to Mr. Swainson’s genus Milvulus (more properly
Milvilus,) but which name Mr. G. R. Gray has altered to Muscivora as the
latter was proposed for _Musc. forficata_ as far back as 1801, by
Lacepède.
It is very common near Buenos Ayres; but I do not recollect having seen
many in Banda Oriental. It sits on the bough of a tree, and very
frequently on the ombu, which is planted in front of many of the farm
houses, and thence takes short flights in pursuit of insects. From the
remarkable structure of its tail, the inhabitants of the country call it
scissor-tail; a name very well applied from the manner in which it opens
and shuts the forked feathers of its tail. Like all birds thus
constructed, (of which the frigate bird offers a most striking example),
it has the power of turning very shortly in its flight, at which instant
it opens and shuts its tail, sometimes, as it appears, in a horizontal
and sometimes in a vertical plane. When on the wing it presents in its
general appearance a caricature likeness of the common house swallow
(_Hirundo rustica_). The Muscivora, although unquestionably belonging to
the family of Muscicapidæ manifests in its habits an evident
relationship with birds of the fissirostral structure.
SUB-GEN. PYROCEPHALUS, GOULD.
MUSCICAPA. _Auct._
MUSCIPETA. _Cuv._
TYRANNULA. _Swain._
_Rostrum capite brevius, rectum, depressum, basi setis numerosis
nigris obsessum; mandibulâ superiore emarginatâ, inferiorem
obtegente; naribus rotundatis patulis. Caput subcristatum. Alæ
longæ; remige prima secundum tertiamque longissimas subæquales fere
æquante. Tarsi mediocres, anticè scutellati; digitis lateralibus
inæqualibus, exteriore longiore. Cauda mediocris quadrata._
Mr. Gould observes, that “the males of nearly all the members of this
group (which may be considered either as a distinct genus or sub-genus
of Myiobius), have the crown of the head and greater part of the under
surface scarlet. Four species were obtained.—_Pyrocephalus
parvirostris_, (_Gould_), and _Muscicapa coronata_, (_Auct._), may be
taken as types.
1. PYROCEPHALUS PARVIROSTRIS. _Gould._
PLATE VI.
Le Churrinche, _Azara_. No. 177.
_P. suprà fuscus; capite et subtus nitidè puniceis; rectricibus
exterioribus tectricumque
et secundariorum apicibus griseo-marginatis._
Long. tot. 5⁵⁄₁₂ unc.; _alæ_, 13¹⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 2⁵⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁷⁄₁₂;
_rost._, ⁶⁄₁₂.
[Illustration:
_Birds. Pl. 6._
_Pyrocephalus parvirostris._
]
[Illustration:
_Birds. Pl. 7._
_Pyrocephalus nanus._
]
Crown of the head, crest, and all the under surface, bright scarlet;
the remainder of the plumage, deep brown; the outer tail-feathers on
each side, and the edges of the secondaries and wing-coverts,
margined with grey.
Habitat, La Plata, (_October._)
This species differs from _Pyr. coronatus_ or _Musicapa coronata_, of
authors, chiefly in its size; in other respects it is very similar. The
admeasurements of the latter, for comparison (as given me by Mr. G. R.
Gray), are: total length, 5 inches and 8 lines; bill, between 9 and 10
lines; wings, 3 inches and 2 lines; tail, 2 inches and 7 lines; tarsi, 7
or 8 lines.
During the summer, this bird was common both near Buenos Ayres and
Maldonado; but at the latter place, I did not see one in the months of
May, June, July, (winter) and therefore, no doubt it is a bird of
passage, migrating southward during the summer from Brazil. The birds of
this and the allied genera, correspond very closely in their habits to
certain of the Sylviadæ of Europe; some of the species frequenting
bushes, like the black-cap, (_Sylvia atricapilla_); others more usually
the ground, as the robin (_Sylvia rubecula_) or hedge-sparrow (_Accentor
modularis_). Another group (_Synallaxis, &c._) represent those European
Sylviæ, which frequent reeds.
2. PYROCEPHALUS OBSCURUS. _Gould._
_P. lividus rufotinctus; præcipuè in fronte ventreque._
Long. tot. 5⁹⁄₁₂ unc.; _alæ_, 3²⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 2⁵⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁷⁄₁₂;
_rost._, ⁸⁄₁₂.
All the plumage chocolate brown, tinged with red, the latter colour
predominating on the forehead and lower part of the abdomen; bill
and tarsi, black.
A single specimen was obtained, and it would appear to be either an
immature bird or a female.
Habitat, Lima, Peru. (_August._)
3. PYROCEPHALUS NANUS. _Gould._
PLATE VII.
_P. fuscus; rectricum exteriorum marginibus omniumque et sècundariorum
apicibus nitidè griseo-brunneis._
_Femina, brunnea; gutture griseo-albo; corpore subtus pallidè
flavescente; pectoris laterumque plumis in medio brunneo-striatis._
Long. tot. 4¹¹⁄₁₂ unc.; _alæ_, 2²⁄₁₆; _caudæ_, 2²⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁸⁄₁₂;
_rostri_, ⁸⁄₁₂.
_Male._
Crown of the head, crest, and all the under surface, scarlet; back,
wings, and tail, sooty brown; the external margin of the outer tail
feathers, and the tips of all, light greyish brown; bill and tarsi,
black.
_Female._
All the upper surface, wings, and tail, brown; throat, greyish white;
the remainder of under surface, pale buff, the feathers of the chest
and flanks, with an obscure fine stripe of light brown down the
centre.
Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. (_September._)
There is nothing remarkable in the habits of this bird. It frequents
both the arid and rocky districts near the coast, and the damp woods in
the higher parts of several of the islands in the Galapagos Archipelago.
4. PYROCEPHALUS DUBIUS. _Gould._
_P. minor, lividus; fronte, superciliis corporeque subtus stramineis;
tectricibus stramineo marginatis._
Long. tot. 4¹⁄₁₂ unc; _alæ_, 2³⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 1⁹⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁷⁄₁₂;
_rost._
Forehead, stripe over the eye, and all the under surface pale buff;
back of the neck and upper surface chocolate brown; greater and
lesser wing coverts margined with buff.
Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago, (_September_).
From the appearance of this bird when alive, although closely resembling
_P. nanus_, I entertained no doubt that it was a distinct species. Mr.
G. R. Gray informs me that there is a specimen of a male in the British
Museum, which differs from the male of the precedent species, in having
the upper colour of a decided brown, and the external margins of the
outer tail feathers and tips of the secondaries rather reddish white;
also in size as stated by Mr. Gould.
MYIOBIUS. _G. R. Gray._
TYRANNULA. _Swains._
Mr. Gould had adopted for the following species Mr. Swainson’s generic
appellation of _Tyrannula_, but Mr. G. R. Gray has pointed out, that as
Tyrannulus was proposed and published eleven years before, namely in
1816, by Vieillot, it becomes necessary to change the former name, and
therefore he proposes _Myiobius_.
1. MYIOBIUS ALBICEPS. _G. R. Gray._
Muscipeta albiceps. _D’Orb. & Lafr._ Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 47.
This bird is not uncommon in Tierra del Fuego, and along the western
coast of the southern part of the continent, where the land is covered
with trees; it is occasionally found near Valparaiso in central Chile;
and likewise in Banda Oriental on the banks of the Plata, where the
country is open, from all of which places I procured specimens. At Port
Famine and in the islands of the Chonos Archipelago, it inhabits the
gloomiest recesses of the great forests. It generally remains quietly
seated high up amongst the tallest trees, whence it constantly repeats a
very plaintive, gentle whistle, in an uniform tone. The sound can be
heard at some distance, yet it is difficult to perceive from which
quarter it proceeds, and from how far off; and I remained in
consequence, for some time in doubt, from what bird it proceeded.
2. MYIOBIUS AURICEPS.
Tyrannula auriceps. _Gould_, MS.
_M. rufus; capite cristato nitidè flavo; plumarum apicibus brunneis;
alis brunneis, secundariarum marginibus tectricumque apicibus rufis;
caudâ pallidè brunnea, plumarum externarum marginibus externis
pallidioribus; gutture corporeque subtus pallidè flavescenti-albis;
plumis singulis fasciâ centrali brunnea._
Long. tot. 5³⁄₁₂ unc; _alæ_, 2⁵⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 2⁶⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁹⁄₁₂;
_rost._ ⁷⁄₁₂.
All the upper surface rufous; the basal portion of the coronal
feathers yellow; tail uniform light brown, the external margin of
the outer feathers lighter; wings brown, the external margin of the
secondaries and the tips of the greater and lesser wing-coverts
rufous; throat and all the under surface pale buffy white, each
feather having a brown mark down the centre; bill brown; feet black.
Habitat, Buenos Ayres, La Plata, (_August_).
This bird is about the size of a sparrow. It is nearly allied to
_Tyrannula ferruginea_ of Swainson and _M. cinnamonea_ of D’Orbig. and
Lafr.
3. MYIOBIUS PARVIROSTRIS.
Tyrannula parvirostris, _Gould_, MS.
_M. suprà rufobrunneus; pileo, nuchâ humerisque obscurè
olivaceo-brunneis; alis brunneis, primariarum et secundariarum
marginibus exterius angustè tectricumque latè ferrugineis; caudâ
guttureque griseo-brunneis; pectore abdomineque flavescenti
brunneis._
Long. tot. 4¹⁰⁄₁₂ _unc._; _alæ_, 2⁶⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 2²⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ⁹⁄₁₂;
_rost._ ⁶⁄₁₂.
Crown of the head, back of the neck, and shoulders, dark olive brown;
back and upper tail coverts rufous brown; wings brown; the external
edges of the primaries and secondaries finely, and the greater and
lesser wing coverts broadly margined with ferruginous; tail uniform
greyish brown; throat brownish grey; chest and abdomen sandy brown;
upper mandible dark brown; under mandible yellowish brown; feet
blackish brown.
Habitat, Tierra del Fuego, Chile, and La Plata.
This bird inhabits the forests of Tierra del Fuego, and as I procured
specimens of it in the beginning of winter (June), it probably remains
throughout the year in the extreme southern part of South America. Other
specimens were procured on the banks of the Plata, and near Valparaiso
in Chile; it has therefore a wide range.
4. MYIOBIUS MAGNIROSTRIS.
PLATE VIII.
Tyrannula magnirostris. _Gould_, MS.
_M. Fæm. Suprà olivaceo-brunnea; caudâ brunnea; rectricum externarum
marginibus griseo-brunneis; gutture pectoreque olivaceo griseis;
abdomine caudæque tectricibus inferioribus pallidè flavis; alis
saturatè brunneis, secundariis tectricibusque late griseo
marginatis._
Long tot. 5⁶⁄₁₂; _alæ_, 2⁸⁄₁₂; _caudæ_, 2⁶⁄₁₂; _tarsi_, ¹¹⁄₁₂; _rost._
⁹⁄₁₂.
Crown of the head and back olive brown; tail brown; the external
margins of the two outer feathers greyish brown; throat and chest
olive grey; abdomen and under tail coverts very pale citron yellow;
wings dark brown; secondaries, greater and lesser wing coverts
broadly margined with grey; bill and feet black.
Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago, (_October_).
This bird and the _Pyrocephalus nanus_, inhabit the same island. Not
very uncommon.
[Illustration:
_Birds. Pl. 8._
_Tyrannula magnirostris._
]
GENUS.—SERPOPHAGA. _Gould._
_Rostrum capite multò brevius, rectum, subdepressum; tomiis rectis;
mandibulâ superiore subemarginatâ; naribus basalibus, lateralibus,
pilis mollibus anticè versis partim tectis. Alæ breves, concavæ,
remige quartâ longissimâ. Cauda longiuscula subrotundata. Tarsi
mediocres squamis duris annulati; digitis parvis, postico mediano
breviore, lateralibus æqualibus, exteriore cum mediano usque ad
articulum priorem connatum._
1. SERPOPHAGA PARULUS. _Gould._
Muscicapa parulus, _Kitlitz_, Mem. L’Acad. Imp. des Sci. St. Peters.
1831. 1. p. 190. Pl. 9.
Sylvia Bloxami, _Gray’s_ Zool. Misc. 1831. p. 11.
Culicivora parulus, _D’Orb. & Lafr._ Mag. de Zool. 1837, p. 57.
This bird is common in central Chile, in Patagonia, and although found
in Tierra del Fuego, it is not numerous there. Its specific name is very
well chosen, as I saw no bird in South America whose habits approach so
near to those of our tom-tits (_Parus_). It frequents bushes in dry
places, actively hopping about them, and sometimes repeating a shrill
cry; it often moves in small bodies of three and four together. In
August I found the nest of one in a valley in the Cordillera of central
Chile; it was placed in a bush and was simply constructed.
2. SERPOPHAGA ALBO-CORONATA. _Gould._
_S. supra olivaceo-brunnea, subtus pallidè flava; pileo nigrescenti
brunneo, in hoc plumarum basibus lineâque supra oculos albis; alis
nigrescenti brunneis, primariis angustè olivaceo marginatis,
tectricibus latè olivaceo-griseo marginatis, gutture griseo._
Long. tot. 4³⁄₁₂; _alæ_, 2; _caudæ_, 2; _tarsi_, ⁸⁄₁₂; _rost._ ⁶⁄₁₂.
A stripe of white from the nostrils over each eye; crown of the head
brown, the base of all the feathers pure white; back of the neck,
back and upper tail coverts olive brown; wings blackish brown, the
external edges of the primaries finely margined with olive, and the
greater and lesser wing coverts largely tipped with olive grey; tail
uniform brown; throat grey; abdomen and under tail coverts pale
citron yellow; bill and feet brown.
Habitat, Maldonado, La Plata, (_June_).
This bird, like the last species, generally moves in very small flocks.
Its habits, I presume, are also very similar; for I state in my notes
that it closely approaches to our tit-mice in general manners and
appearance.
3. SERPOPHAGA NIGRICANS. _Gould._
Sylvia nigricans, _Vieill._
Tachuris nigricans, _D’Orb. & Lafr._ Mag. de Zool. 1837. p. 55.
Le Petit Tachuris noirâtre, _Azara_, No. 167.
This bird is common in the neighbourhood of Maldonado, on the banks of
the Plata. It generally frequents the borders of lakes, ditches, and
other moist places; but is related in its general manners with the last
species. It often alights on aquatic plants, growing in the water. When
seated on a twig it occasionally expands its tail like a fan.