(SHORT-WINGED TYRANT.)
+Machetornis rixosa+, _Burm. La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 458 (Paraná);
_Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S._ 1868, p. 142; _iid. Nomencl._ p. 44;
_Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1874, p. 173 (Buenos Ayres); _Durnford, Ibis_,
1877, p. 177 (Buenos Ayres); _Salvin, Ibis_, 1880, p. 357
(Salta); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii. p. 142
(Entrerios).
_Description._--Above brownish olive; wings and tail brown, the
latter terminated by a yellowish band; middle of cap occupied by a
scarlet crest; beneath bright yellow, paler on the throat; bill and
feet black: whole length 7·2 inches, wing 3·9, tail 3·5. _Female_
similar, but rather duller. Young without the scarlet crest.
_Hab._ S.E. Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and La Plata.
This species, found in the open districts throughout South America,
from Venezuela to Buenos Ayres, where it is quite common, has very
interesting habits. It is seven inches and a half long, has a plump
body, short wings, and long legs. The upper plumage is light brown, the
throat, breast, and belly yellow, and the male has a concealed crest of
a bright orange-red colour.
It resembles the true Tyrants in disposition, in its shrill piercing
language, and in the habit of perching and breeding in trees. On the
other hand, like the long-legged _Myiotheretes_, that lives on the open
plains, it feeds exclusively on the ground, over which it runs with a
speed possessed by few perching species. The general impression one
forms is that in manners and appearance the Short-winged Tyrant is quite
unlike any other species, though all its habits are to be found in one
or other of the various groups comprising the _Tyrannidæ_.
These birds have no migration, but pair for life, and always remain on
the same spot, and will continue to breed in the same hole for many
years, even where they are frequently deprived of their eggs. Azara saw
them sometimes uniting in small flocks in Paraguay; in Buenos Ayres they
are always seen in pairs, or, after the young have left the nest, in
families. They prefer to live near a human habitation, where there are
trees: even one tree, in which they can breed and find shelter at night,
will be sufficient to attach them to a dwelling, so great is their
partiality for the clean-trodden ground where they can freely run about
and catch insects. They haunt the cattle-pens, and become extremely
familiar with the cows, horses, and sheep, following them to the
pasture-grounds, where they are often seen perched on the back of a
horse or other domestic animal, or stationed close to its nose on the
ground, watching for insects. On the bare ground they run about with
wonderful swiftness, and are able to overtake and capture flying insects
without rising. The male and female invariably hunt together, and at
intervals fly to some favourite perch to indulge in a duet composed of
loud, rapid, shrill notes, somewhat metallic in sound. Though able to
fly swiftly when in pursuit of a passing hawk or other bird, at other
times their flight is strangely slow; the round body, short blunt wings
and tail giving the bird a somewhat curious appearance as it progresses
laboriously through the air. I have frequently seen them make the most
unprovoked assaults on birds of an inoffensive kind; possibly they are
in these attacks moved by a playful rather than by a vindictive spirit.
I once saw one drop like a stone from a height of fifty yards on to a
Pigeon perched on a leafless tree. The Pigeon fell as if shot to the
earth; the Tyrant-bird then released his hold; the Pigeon rushed away
terrified through the trees, while its persecutor rose high up in the
air and resumed its journey.
I have elsewhere spoken of the wars waged by this bird against other
species, all seeking to gain possession of the large nest of _Anumbius
acuticaudatus_. A hole in the trunk of a tree is also a favourite
breeding-place. The nest is neatly built of slender twigs and leaves,
and lined with horse-hair. The eggs are slightly oval, and densely
marked with dark brown spots or stripes on a white or brownish-white
ground.