(ASHY-BLACK TYRANT.)
+Cnipolegus anthracinus+, _Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 43; _Salv.
Ibis_, 1880, p. 356 (Salta); _Döring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool._
p. 24 (Patagonia). +Cnipolegus aterrimus+, _White, P. Z. S._
1882, p. 604 (Misiones). +Cnipolegus hudsoni+, _White, P. Z. S._
1883, p. 39 (Cordova)? +Myiarchus fasciatus+, _Leybold, J. f. O._
1865, p. 402 (Mendoza), [female].
_Description._--Above dull black, a broad bar across the vanes of
the inner webs of the wing-feathers white; bill plumbeous; feet
black: whole length 6·3 inches, wing 3·5, tail 3·0. _Female_ ashy
brown; rump, upper tail-coverts, and basal portions of tail bright
rufous; wings blackish, with two white transverse stripes; beneath
pale fulvous, white on the belly; bill and feet black.
_Hab._ Northern Argentina.
Unfortunately very little is yet known about the habits of these
interesting little Tyrant-birds, for which I should like to suggest the
common name "_Spectacular_," for reasons I shall say more about when
I come to describe the _Lichenops perspicillatus_, a species which
undoubtedly belongs to this peculiar well-defined group. The plumage of
the male is, in most cases, intensely black, and there is a pure white
bar on the remiges, hidden when the bird is perched, and when it flies
made doubly conspicuous by the peculiar motion of the wings. In all the
known species the female has a dull brown plumage, lined or mottled with
dusky tints, and with some portion of the wing-quills marked with rufous
or chestnut colour.
The Ashy-black Tyrant inhabits the Mendoza district, and is also a
summer visitor in Patagonia, where it was obtained by Dr. Döring.
Speaking of its habits, he says the male is solitary, perches on the
summit of a bush or dry twig, emits at intervals a song or call composed
of two syllables, plaintive and flute-like in character, and uttered
while the bird rises up a few feet into the air. During this performance
the white bands on the wings are displayed conspicuously and a humming
sound is produced.