The YIPERU, or YETAPA--Cunningham's Bush Shrike--(_Gubernates Yiperu_),
a well-known member of this group, has a slender body, large wings, and
very long, forked tail. Its beak is thick and broad at its base, the
upper mandible considerably arched, and furnished with a strong, short
hook at its extremity; the legs, though short, are powerful, the toes of
moderate size, and armed with slightly-curved claws. The plumage is thick
and soft, that of the wings and tail being unusually heavy. The back and
under side of the body are grey, the wings and tail black, with a white
patch at the shoulder, and a light red spot on the outer web of the large
quills. The throat is white, separated from the grey breast by a reddish
brown line, which extends as far as the eyes; the brow is of a whitish
shade, the eye itself reddish brown, and the beak and feet black. The
length of this species is fifteen inches, of which nine are included in
the length of the exterior tail-feathers, whilst those in the centre are
not more than two and a half inches long. The span of the wings is about
fifteen inches.
We learn from Azara that the Yetapas principally frequent such plains
as are only partially covered with brushwood or trees, and fly about in
small parties, seeking for their insect food upon the ground. Their cry
is monotonous but penetrating.