The Downy Young of some Nearctic Limicolines

450 A h . A. Brooks mt the Dowwy Young of [Ibis,

t o stay a t the top, as I have never seen i t on the lower slopes of the mountain, though I have traversed the forest there many times. -4ttempts to find its nesting-place were unsuc- cessful, which is not very surprising considering the rocky and tangled nature of the terrain. Its breeding habits are probably the same as those of P. weas in Cameroon as described by Bates (‘Handbook to the Birds of West Africa,’ 1930).

XSVL-The Doumy Young of some Xearctic Limicolines. By ALLAN BROOKS, M.B.O.U.

(Plate VIII.)

THE chief object of this paper is to describe the downy young of that monotypic Sandpiper Tryngites subrujcollis, hitherto. so far as I know, unrecorded. The discovery of this downy chick is entirely due to the energy of Mr. Charles D. Brower, the widely-knomi trader of Point Barrow, Alaska. For some years past he has been instrumental in saving for scientific purposes a great deal of valuable material, mostly of rare birds used for food by the natives. Such little-known species as Ross’s Gull, Spectacled, Steller’s, Paciflc, and King Eiders, which are regularly killed in large numbers for food, have, through Mr. Brower, been made available for scientific study, the skins being saved and the bodies returned to the hunter to be used as food. He has also utilized his exceptional knowledge and the outstanding natural abilities of the Eskimo to procure many species of downy young of the Arctic Ducks and Shore-birds and other ornithological and mammalogical material. Unfortunately the antagonism towards collecting has of recent years deprived him of his permit to do so, hence we can expect no more discoveries from this source.

The three species of downy young figured on the plate accompanying this article (Pl. VIII.) are all the result of his painstaking efforts, as well as others representing nearly every species nesting in that region. Especially in America are we indebted to traders, missionaries, and policemen for much of our knowledge of the Arctic fauna : the names of Roderick MacFarlane, Captain Joe Bernard, and Charles D. Brower

1. Tryngites subruficollis. 2. Pisobia rnelanotos. 3. Lirnnodrornas griseus scolopaceus.

1939.1 some Xearctic Limicolines. 451

stand out among these. Mr. Brower's reliability in identifica- tion is remarkable; there is not a single error in a series covering over twenty species of Ducks and Shore-birds, also of Gulls.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper may be included in a group of four Limicoline species which are notable in reversing the usual order in this family-the male in these is very much larger than the female. The three others are the Pectoral and Sharp- tailed Sandpipers and the Ruff. I have had opportunities of studying all four of these in life, and the similarity in carriage and actions is suggestive ; also the juvenile plumages of all four are strikingly similar. The duplication in the pattern of the back in the downy young of the Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers also indicates an affinity in their common ancestry. This all suggests an affinity of these four waders much closer than is at present recognized. I can find no record of the display of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ; in all three of the others the very large male has a striking and unusual display.

In the Pectoral Sandpiper, and probably in the other three, the reversal in the comparative sizes of the sexes results in a reversal of the order of the migration ; in all the species in which the female is the larger she is the first to leave the breeding grounds after the eggs are laid or hatched, leaving the care of the young, and in some cases the duties of incubation, to the male bird. This habit includes such diverse forms as Numenius, Aphriza, Ereunetes, Pisobia, Tringa, and all t h e e species of Phalaropes. Per contra the male Pectoral Sandpiper is about the earliest of all south-bound migrants from the Arctic. I have seen small groups of adult males passing south in southern British Columbia as early as 14 June, their condition, both as to sexual organs and the inflated neck-skin, indicating that their nuptial activities were over.

'

Tryngites subrudcollis. In my collection are two newly-hatched downy young

of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, evidently from the same brood taken at Point Barrow by C. D. Brower, 25 July, 1935. I believe a third specimen from this brood is in the collection of Mr. H. B. Conover. The identity is established by the

2 H 2

452 On fhe D m n g Young of ~ o m e Nearctic Limicolines. [Ibis,

long antium of white down that runs up the outer rami of the mandible. The colouring is unique, as there is no trace of rufous : instead, there is a delicate wash of pale yellow over the jugulum and sides of the head, very noticeable in the fresh specimen. The pattern is typically Eroline, and almost a replica of that of Pisobia melanotos, only the crowns of the respective heads are different. The white dots on the dorsal area, so characteristic of all Eroline young, are very pro- nounced, and consist of two distinct types and sizes of dots, the larger being mounted on the ends of long downy black shafts, and resemble tiny drumsticks ; this character is found in the downy young of the Knot and White-rumped Sandpiper. On the whole the colouring of the Buff-breasted chick is closest to that of the Knot, but the short slrnder bill and long delicate legs are Tery different from the robust build of a Knot.

Pisobia melanotos. Mr. Brower has sent me three downy young of the Pectoral

Sandpiper, all of the same date, 23 July, 1935, and presumably of the same brood : two are very rufous, and strongly resemble the chick of the Dunlin in every way except for the structure of bill and feet ; the third is of a whiter type. All present the characters of long legs, slender toes, and non- spatulate bill that characterize the species, and there can be no question as to their identity. The pattern of the back presents a beautiful arrangement of dark spaces outlined by white dots, as in Tryngites, but the crown has a distinctive pattern, as shown in P1. 1’111. All the white dots are of the same size, small, as in the chicks of Baird’s. Least, Semi- palmated, and Western Sandpipers.

Limnodromus griseus scolopaceus. Two chicks of the Long-billed Dowitcher collected by

C. D. Brower a t Point Barrow, 5 July, 1936, show the Eroline affinities of the genus, and are also astonishingly like the downy young of true Snipe, though not so richIy coloured as the chicks of Capella. gallinago and C. delicatcs.

No parent bird was sent with them, but all the Dowitchers collected in Alaska that I have seen are unquestionably

458 Mr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

main valley. Except where there is irrigation the vegeta5ion consists of sparse thorn-bushes and immense cacti. The irrigation allows of a considerable growth of eucalyptus and cherry trees, and, amongst other things, sugar-cane and oranges are cultivated. About 4 km. up the quebrada immediately behind Anco there is a small reedy pool where I saw some interesting water-birds. I stayed in Anco from 15 to 23 December. Fifty-seven skins.

ASTOBAMBA (app. 14,500 feet).-An Indian village containing a quaint church dating from colonial times, in the open Puna between Lachocc and Talahuarra. Visited 3 November. Five skins.

CHONTA (15,785 feet).-The pass on the road between Lachocc and Castrovirrepa, and also the divide between Amazonian and Pacific drainage. Talahuarra lies about two miles to the north, and the lakes of Pultoc begin a t about the same distance to the south. I collected such high-ranging birds as Attagis. Tinamotis, and Cincldes palliatus near Chonta, working from Talahuarra.

HUANCAVELICA (1 1,960 feet) .-The capital of the Department and the centre from which I did all my work. It is a town of some GOO0 inhabitants, formerly important as a mining centre, but now in a somewhat moribund condition. The valley-bed is fairlx wide here, but, as usual, the walls on either side are steep and precipitous. The former is a mixture of arid temperate and Piina forms, although the former predominate. It is quite impossible in Huancavelica to define rigidly where the one zone ends and the other begins. The birds follow the different types of vegetation, and that in turn is dependent on local physiography.

Near Huancavelica itself there was a certain amount of bushy growth where such birds a s TurduS chiguccnco, Saltator calhocilinris, and Ochthceca leucophrys interior, all of the arid temperate zone, were to be found. A mile or two farther up above the town the valley-floor is predominantly bare and open, the haunt of such birds as dgriornis, Muscisaxicola rufiziertex occipitalis, and Upicprthia vnl&'rostris jehki i , which are typical of the Puna. Farther lip, a little way

48.1 Mr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

should go to the unworked Department of Huancavelica, and I am very grateful to him for this advice. Since I personally knew little about South American ornithology, Mr. Kinnear advised me to make a descriptive catalogue of the birds of Peru. This I did, and it was certainly worth the trouble, as I was able to identify nearly all the birds I encountered, which added greatly to the interest of the trip.

The Council of Trinity College took a most generous part in assisting me, and made a substantial grant towards my expenses from the Rouse Ball Research Fund. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my grateful thanks to this body, whose practical help towards my ornithological work has been a very great source of encouragement to me.

My special thanks are also due to Mr. V. C. W. Forbes, the British Minister in Lima, who arranged ever-ything to do with my permits and facilities with the Peruvian authorities, and only those who know South America can appreciate what that means. A s a result of his help I had no difficulties with the Customs, and the Peruvian police were most kind and obliging throughout my stay.

Mr. Hisson, the representative of the Peruvian Corporation in Lima, Mr. Xorkill, the Manager of the Central Railway, and Mr. Guilding, the railway's Superintendent in Oroya, all helped me in a multitude of ways, particularly in regard to transport. hfr. Frank Davies, the observer in charge of the Carnegie Magnetic Observatory a t Huancayo, kindly allowed me to use the observatory as a base when I used to return periodicall- to pack and send off my specimens. Mr. and LMrs. Davies were the kindest of hosts, and their friendship and that of the remainder of the staff made my whole stay in Peru infinitely more enjoyable.

I am very grateful to Dr. Hellmayr, Mr. Zimmer. and Monsieur Berlioz for assistance freely given in settling a number of points; the first-named has kindly added some taxonomic notes. And finally, I must say what a great debt I owe to LMr. Kinnear, whose help and advice and unending patience are almost entirely responsible for any success that the expedition may have achieved.

1939.1 Department of Huancavelica, Peru. 455

Geographical hTote. The Department of Huancavelica is situated in the Andean

tableland of West Central Peru, and is bounded by the Departments of Junin, Ayacucho, Ica, and Lima. Although there are no great peaks, the Department consists almost entirely of highland-faunally speaking, in the arid temperate and Puna zones. Only in the lower reaches of the Mantaro River, and possibly in the north of the Department, which I did not visit, does one reach the subtropics. My lowest station, Anco, is a t the extreme upper level of the subtropical zone, as is shown by the occurrence of such species as Knipolegus aterrimus anthracinw and Aratinga m. mitrata. I also did not visit the extreme south of the Department, beyond Castrovirreyna. The Mantaro, which enters from the north- west and, after a great bend, leaves again in the extreme north-east, is the main factor of drainage. The sketch-map (text-fig. 2) on p. 456 will give some idea of the physiography of the region.

Itinerary. I arrived a t Callao on 18 August, and went up into the

Sierra on the 23rd. After a night in Oroya and two nights in Huancayo, I finally went up t o Huancavelica on the 26th. I spent just a month there, and returned to Huancayo on 27 September, from where I sent off my first collection.

On 2 October I went back to Huancavelica, and after a few days there continued up to Lachocc, the rail-head of the Huancayo-Huancavelica State Railway, where I spent a fort- night. Lachocc was the fist place I stayed a t in the true Puna, and I felt the cold considerably. Throughout the Puna the weather has a habit of being invariably h e in the mornings and stormy in the afternoons. While this has much to commend it from the point of view of collecting, frequent snow and bitter winds made skinning in the afternoons somewhat trying at times since, owing to the absence of win- dows, I had almost always to skin in front of an open door.

From Lachocc I went on to Talahuarra, the highest station visited, where I stayed with a hospitable lomy driver for


K ilometres - 0 10 10 30

/ / \ \ I

1 /

1 I YAULI I

\ \

P'

I . I . " . . ,

f -' 4 Pass of ' . . oLIRCAY ,A

I I

CHONTA -6TALAHUARRA {

.... . , 4 \ \ PofANTA INEZ . . . /

L I R A

\ './ \ CASTROVIRREYNA 1 ..

1 I I

I \

\ \ I \ \ I

I \ \ \

\

\ \ \--

\ \ \

/----, / \

\l '- 1 Sketch-map of the Huancavelica Department, Peru.

Text-fig. 2.

N


nearly three weeks. I was, in fact, sorry to leave here for a mining camp called Santa Inez, situated among large lakes. Although I got a few interesting birds, my three days there were the most unpleasant of the whole trip. My last five days in the Puna I spent a t the mine of Lira near Castrovirreyna. I was glad to return to Huancayo on 18 November.

I started on my last trip to Huancavelica on 25 November, and I went on almost immediately to Lircay, situated in a parallel valley about forty miles away to the south-east. This was an interesting locality, and in the Puna above the town I got a rare Tinamou. I returned on 8 December and the next day went to Acoria, where I spent several days trying vainly to collect a water-rat reputed to exist in the stream there. On the 15th I continued to Anco on the road to Ayacucho, about 45 miles below La Mejorada, where I spent eight pleasant days. I returned to Huancavelica on Christmas Eve and finally left the Department on 4 January, 1938.

My collection consists of 416 skins of 103 species, and I also recorded another 12 species.

I later spent four months on Lake Junin, the results of which I am including in a separate paper.

I have indicated the sexual development of my specimens t o the best of my ability. If after the number and sex of a skin there is no + sign, the organs were entirely undeveloped. ++ indicates that the bird had fully developed organs, and anything intermediate is marked +.

Four forms appear to be new.

Collecting Stations. ACORIA (10,400 feet).-A small town situated in the valley

followed by the railway from Mejorada to Lachocc. It is in the arid temperate zone, but is not an important locality owing to the narrowness of the valley-bed and the extraordinarily precipitous nature of the walls on either side. I did no collecting there, but visited the place on 29September, and later I stayed there from 9 to 15 December.

ANCO (8125 feet).-A small settlement on the road to Aya- cucho where there was a comfortable little hotel. It has a very arid nature, although green and well cultivated where irrigation is possible, in the quebradas running down into the


main valley. Except where there is irrigation the vegeta5ion consists of sparse thorn-bushes and immense cacti. The irrigation allows of a considerable growth of eucalyptus and cherry trees, and, amongst other things, sugar-cane and oranges are cultivated. About 4 km. up the quebrada immediately behind Anco there is a small reedy pool where I saw some interesting water-birds. I stayed in Anco from 15 to 23 December. Fifty-seven skins.

ASTOBAMBA (app. 14,500 feet).-An Indian village containing a quaint church dating from colonial times, in the open Puna between Lachocc and Talahuarra. Visited 3 November. Five skins.

CHONTA (15,785 feet).-The pass on the road between Lachocc and Castrovirrepa, and also the divide between Amazonian and Pacific drainage. Talahuarra lies about two miles to the north, and the lakes of Pultoc begin a t about the same distance to the south. I collected such high-ranging birds as Attagis. Tinamotis, and Cincldes palliatus near Chonta, working from Talahuarra.

HUANCAVELICA (1 1,960 feet) .-The capital of the Department and the centre from which I did all my work. It is a town of some GOO0 inhabitants, formerly important as a mining centre, but now in a somewhat moribund condition. The valley-bed is fairlx wide here, but, as usual, the walls on either side are steep and precipitous. The former is a mixture of arid temperate and Piina forms, although the former predominate. It is quite impossible in Huancavelica to define rigidly where the one zone ends and the other begins. The birds follow the different types of vegetation, and that in turn is dependent on local physiography.

Near Huancavelica itself there was a certain amount of bushy growth where such birds a s TurduS chiguccnco, Saltator calhocilinris, and Ochthceca leucophrys interior, all of the arid temperate zone, were to be found. A mile or two farther up above the town the valley-floor is predominantly bare and open, the haunt of such birds as dgriornis, Muscisaxicola rufiziertex occipitalis, and Upicprthia vnl&'rostris jehki i , which are typical of the Puna. Farther lip, a little way

IBIS, 1939, PI. IX.

View over part of Lircay.

The pocket of "quinual" scrub in the valley below Lachocc. Haunt of Oreomanes fraseri and Grallaria andicofa.

IBIS, 1939, PI. X.

The high Puna near Talahuarra.

Lower level of the Puna above Lircay, The haunt of the rare Nothoprocta branickii.

1939.1 Department of Huancavelica, Peru. 45’5

below Lachocc a t about 13,000 feet, and ten miles above Huancavelica, there is a sheltered and inaccessible spot where there is a little old quinual scrub. Here I found such typically humid temperate zone birds as Oreownes fraseri and Cfrallaria andicola, and also arid temperate forms, while the sides of the valley are true Puna. This may partly be due to dis- afforestation. I was in Huancavelica 26 August to 27 Sep- tember, 2-7 October, 25-28 November, 24 December- 4 January. 109 skins.

LACHOCC (13,650 feet).-The railhead of the Huancayo- Huancavelica State Railway. It consists of nothing more than a large shed and half a dozen huts, but it is interesting as marking the end of all trace of the temperate zone. Here the rather narrow valley opens out into the true rolling Puna. 7-21 October. Sixty-nine skins.

LA MEJORADA (9397 feet).-A station on the railway where the Huancavelica Valley joins the Mantaro. I never worked here, but passed through several times. It appears to be in the arid temperate zone.

LIRA (14,625 feet).-An important mine belonging to Seiior Dante Castagnola, where I was most hospitably received and spent several days from 12 to 17 November. It is a cold spot situated among three lakes, and quite typical of the high Puna. It is 12 km. from the town of Castrovirreyna (13,000 feet). Five skins.

LIRCAY (10,660 feet).-A small town, of some importance as an agricultural centre, lying in a parallel valley to Huan- cavelica and some way to the south-east. There is a good deal of cultivation, both irrigated and unirrigated. The vegetation is mainly scrubby, although there are groves of eucalyptus in well-watered places. The country between Huancavelica and Lircay is entirely Puna. I was there 28 November to 8 December. Forty-seven skins.

SANTA INEZ (14,300 feet).--g mining camp between two large lakes, Choclococha and Orococha. The latter is about 200 feet above the former. Like all the lakes I saw in Huan- cavelica, they are very open and exposed, and with no reed- beds. I think they are all very deep, and as a result bird-life

460 JIr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

is rather poor, a t any rate compared with Lake Junin. There is a chain of lakes all the way from Pultoc to Santa Inez. I was a t Santa Inez from 9 to 12 November. I also visited Lake Orocorha from Lira.

T.4LAHUARRA (15;275 feet).-The highest place 1 stayed in, a little way below the pass of Chonta. It consists merely of four huts, where mineral is brought by llama from the mines for transport by truck to Lachocc. The country is B high moorland, but rather bare and arid. 3 little way below Talahuarra there is an extensive rolling plain known as the Pucapampa. I was there from 21 October to 9 November. Sixty-five skins.

YAULI (1 1 ,OOO feet).-About eleven miles below Huancavelica, where the valley walls are more gradual and less precipitous. There is a sparse growth of bushes almost everywhere, and i t was by far the most interesting locality that I visited. Spine- tails were abundant, as was the new Oreonympha. I never 4ayed here, but used to make daily visits by rail from Huan- cavelica.

Ten skins.

Fort p- n ine skins.

Nothoprocta ornata branickii Tacz. Branicki’s Tinamoii. 313, d+, 6. xii. 37, above Lircny. Bill black above, horn beneath ; feet pale fleshy-brown ;

iris brown. Wing 180 mm. The only place in which I ever met these birds was above

Lircay a t about 12,500 feet. This was a place a t the lower limits of the Puna, where there were rolling slopes covered with clumps of stiff, rather spiky grass. I flushed several on 5 and 6 December, but obtained only one. The cry when flushed was a grating ‘. cheee.”

[This Tinamou, which heretofore was known only from a few specinlens from the Junin region, is so dose to N . ornata that there can be no question as to its being conspecific. Its principal characters are : smaller size, with markedly shorter hill ; darker, greyer dorsal surface, without the conspicuous bright buffy bars ; bright tawny instead of pale buff bars on secondaries ; and more rufescent posterior underparts.- C. E. H.]


Tinamotis pentlandi Vig. Pentland’s Tinamou. 248, $, 5. xi. 37 ; 249, 9, 6. xi. 37, Talahuarra. This large Tinamou is found only a t the highest altitudes,

close to the upper limit of vegetation. I f i s t met with it on 11 November near the pass of Chonta (app. 15,800 feet), when I saw three some distance away, running along like Guinea-fowl. While following these up I flushed four more, of which I secured one. The following day I shot another out of a party of eight. When alarmed they run rapidly uphill, and the only way to get them is to keep above them. They continually utter a curious cry, a sort of laughing gurgle, and when walking bob their heads backwards and forwards.

I found an old nest near by, a simple hollow amongst damp tussocks, which contained some faded egg-shells and a few feathers.

Columba maeulosa albipennis Scl. & Salv. White-winged Pigeon.

67, 0, 10. ix. 37, Yauli ; 74, 75, ??+, 12. ix. 37, Huancave- lica ; 351, b+, 20. xii. 37, Anco.

Abundant a t Yauli, Lircay, and Anco. I also saw occasional flocks in the open valley above Huancavelica. They were always to be found among large eucalyptus trees. As far as I know this bird has not previously been recorded north of the Urubamba Valley and Ayacucho (Pauza).

Columba albilinea albilinea Bp. White-naped Pigeon. 318, ?+, 16. xii. 37 ; 326, ?+, 17. xii. 37, Anco. Quite a common bird at Anco, where it was feeding on wild

cherries. I n flight it appears very dark, almost blackish.

Zenaidura auriculata hypoleuca (Bp.) . 109, 9, 4. x. 37, Yauli; 300, ?+, 3. xii. 37 ; 305, d+,

4. xii. 37, Lircay ; 355, ?+, 21. xii. 37, Anco. I first saw this species a t Yauli where it is not very common.

It is, however, most abundant a t Lircay and Anco. It is usually to be found among eucalyptus trees, though I think it feeds entirely on the ground ; I only once (25. xii. 37) saw the bird at Huancavelica.

Violet-eared Dove.

362 Jlr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

Metriopelia ceciliae ceciliae (Less.). Red-throated Ground- 1)ovr.

47, Q+, 5. is. 37, Huancavelica; 61, 0, 8. ix. 37, Yaiili : 375, 376, 99 + : 377, o ; 378, df , 25. xii. 37, Huancavelica. -4 common little Dove in open places, where it is usually to

hr seen in small parties. Apart from the collection localities 1 saw it a t Lircag, Acoria, and dnco. My birds appear to be intermediate between the typical race and obsoleta, but I have thought it best to refer them provisionally to the former.

Metriopelia melanoptera melanoptera (Mol.). Black-winged Dove.

34, 0, 2. ix. 37, Huancavelica; 68, d+ ; 69, 0, 10. ix. 37, Yauli.

Another Ground-Dove of the open country. Although it is said to be a bird of the Puna zone, this was not my experience. In Huancavelica, Yauli, and Lircay I found it in the typical arid temperate zone ; though I saw many in a limestone gorge below Lwhocc, this was certainly not typical Puna. I never saw i t in the open Puna above Lachocc.

Ortygonax rytirhynchos tschudii (Chubb). Rail. 85, 91, 16. ix. 37 : -116, ?++, 3. i. 38, Huancavelica. There were always one or two examples of this Rail on a small

pool above Huancavelica surrounded by thick rushes. I also s i w several on a pool above Xnco. These two specimens agree with three others from Lake Junin. No. 416 was caught on the nest, and I secured the five eggs, which were on the point of hatching. The chicks were entirely black, with the legs dull brownish-chestnut .

Gallinula chloropus garmani Allen. I saw a pair of these birds on the pool above Bnco.

Fulica americana peruviana Morrison. Slaty Coot. Seen only on the pool above Anco.

Fulica gigantea Eyd. t Soul. Giant Coot. 261, 0 , 13. xi. 37, Lira. There were Giant Coots in small numbers on all the lakes

between Pultoc, Santa Inez, and Lira. They are the most colossal birds, almost as big as geese, and are certainly well

Garman’s Moorhen.

1939.1 Department of Huancavelica, Peru.

named. None of the lakes on which I saw them have any vegetation such as reeds along their borders. A t Santa Inez I saw two pairs, each with a solitary young one, about three weeks’ old and two-thirds grown respectively. The cry is a harsh “ coryouk.” Quechua name, “ Oohoohooi.”

Colymbus oeeipitalis juninensis (Berl. t Stolz.). Junin

238, $+, 2. xi. 37, Talahuarra; 253, 254, Jbf, 10. xi. 37,

I saw large numbers on all the lakes between Pultoc, Santa They seem to like the same unsheltered

The call was a feeble “ chook

Grebe.

Santa Inez ; 263, ?+, 13. xi. 37, Lira.

Inez, and Lira. waters as Fulica gigantea. chook.” Quechua name, “ Choulyoumpi.”

Larus serranus Tschudi. Andean Gull. 98, $, 19. ix. 37 ; 383, 384, 99, 26. xii. 37, Huancavelica. A few lived on the stream a t Huancavelica, and I saw them

down as far as Acoria. My three specimens were all taken on the stteam and, although in summer plumage, were not in breeding condition. They probably nest only on the lakes in the high Puna, where I saw a fair number on all the lakes visited. Nearly all the birds seen were in summer plumage.

Attagis gayi simonsi Chubb. Gay’s Seed-Snipe. 235, $+ ; 236, 9, 1. xi. 37 ; 245, $2+ ; 246, $+ ; 247, 9,

5. xi. 37, Talahuarra. These five birds are referable to simonsi. The type and

another collected by P. 0. Simons near Lake Titicaca are darker above but were taken in June, and are in very worn plumage, the tips of the feathers being worn away and exposing the dark feather-bases.

I found this Seed-Snipe only a t nearly 16,000 feet, above Talahuarra, near the limit of vegetation. They seem to favour rather gravelly places where there are only scattered tussocky plants, and here their colouring harmonizes wonder- fully with the ground. Although so like a Partridge in appearance, the flight is extremely powerful and rapid. When flying I have heard them utter a loud shrill “ chee, chee, chee.”

My birds are in fresh plumage.

Quechua name, “ Cooli-cooli.”


Thinocorus orbignyianus ingae Tsch. d’orbigny’s Seed- Snipe.

113, dT : 214, ; 215,0, 26. x. 37, Talahuarra : 225, ?+, 30. x. 37, Pultoc ; 234, &-, 1 . xi. 37, Talahuarra.

This bird does not range to such heights as the preceding species, and is found on the more level grassy places. I have however, seen them up to almost the same height a t Tala- huarra. They behave rather like small Partridges, and when flushed fly off rapidly, calling a grating ‘. chairp, chairp, chairp.” They have another call, H repeated ’’ kuk-kook,” which is a very common sound in the high Puna. I once watched a, bird doing this while it stood on top of a stone. I have heard them calling up to well after midnight. Quechua name, ‘. Po~coopoOcoo.” I hare a note that nos. 213, 211, 216 were all very fat and had bccn feeding on green shoots.

I 5aw them also a t Santa Inez and Lira.

Ptiloscelys resplendens (Tsch) . 41, 5, 3. is . 37 ; 96, 97, 88, 18. ix. 37, Huancavelica. I f i s t saw- this species in damp meadows near Hnancavelicn,

but later I found it abundant everywhere in the true Puna. In habits and flight it is very reminiscent of the Lapwing. The call is a harsh, frequently repeated ‘‘ kairp.”

Pluvialis dominica dominica (P. L. S. Rliiller). North

233, d, 10. xi. 37, Santa Inez ,4 solitary bird secured by the lake side at Santa Inez.

Gharadrius alticola (Berl. & Stolz.). Peruvian Plover. 266,167,dd. 17. xi. 37, Santa Inez. The only two obtained were shot out of a little party of

three on the sandy southern end of Lake Orococha, Santa Inez.

Resplendent Plover.

American Golden Plover.

Phegornis mitchelli (Fraser). Mitchell’s Snipe. 196, 9 ; 197, d+, 23. x. 37; 201, d, 24. x. 37 ; 224, 0,

I found a few of these little birds in damp places near I also saw a single bird of this species by one

There is really very

26. s. 37 : 237, Si-, 2. xi. 37, Talahuarra.

Talahuarra. of the lakes at Pultoc and at Astobamba.


little to record about the bird. It is tame, and rather like a Ringed Plover in its mannerisms, but is less active and has a weaker and more undulating flight. I have never heard i t utter a sound.

The single female is similar to the males, but the black of the head is paler and more ashy-grey.

Erolia bairdii (Coues). Baird’s Sandpiper. 94, o, 18. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 239, 240, 99, 3. xi. 37,

Astobamba ; 259, J, 11. xi. 37, Santa Inez. I did not see many; no. 94 was shot out of a small

party on the stream a t Huancavelica and, apart from the other skins, I saw small parties a t Lira and Santa Inez.

. [Tringa flavipes (Gm.). Yellowshank. On 10 November I saw a Yellowshank by the lake-side

a t Santa Inez. As I was unable to examine the bird very closely, and as I had never seen either of the species before, I have included the record in square brackets.]

Capella paraguaiae andina (Tacz.). Andean Snipe. 76, d+, 12. ix. 37 ; 88, 9 ; 89, ?+ ; 90, J+, 16. ix. 37 ;

387, Jf ; 388, ?+ +, 26. xii. 37 ; 397,398, &$+ f, 28. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

I found this bird quite common in a marshy spot about two miles above Huancavelica, where all my specimens were obtained. On 26 December I found two hard-set clutches a t the same place, each containing two eggs. I also saw two birds a t Talahuarra, 23 October.

Steganopus tricolor Vieill. Wilson’s Phalarope. 156, J, 11. xi. 37, Saata Inez. Shot one out of a little party of five on a small boggy pool

near Santa Inez.

Plegadis ridgwayi (Allen). Ridgway’s Ibis. 260, 8 imm., 12. xi. 37, Santa Inez. To be seen in small numbers on all the lakes between

Pultoc and Lira. Call, a harsh “ quairk.” Quechua name, “ Yanaweekoo.”

SEX. SIV.-VOL. 111. 21

466 Mr. A. Xorrison OIL the Birds of thP [Ibis,

Theristicus braniekii Berl. & Stolz. 268, 6, 2s. xi. 37, between Lircay and Huancavelica. Secured out of a party of five on a dry grassy slope in the

I saw six in exactly The call was a harsh ‘‘ kaa,

Branicki’s Ibis.

Puna between Huancavelica and Lircay. the same place on 8 December. kaa, kaa.”

Nyetieorax nyetieorax hoactli (Gm.). I was shown the remains of one of these birds which had

been killed at Santa Rosa, a few kilometres below Huancavelica, in the middle of August. On 10 December I twice saw one flying above the stream a t Acoria.

Dusky Night-Heron.

[Phanicopterus chilensis Mol. Flamingo. On 1,” and 17 November I saw respectively three and five

Flamingos on the upper lake Orococha a t Santa Inez. I was unable to obtain one unfortunately, as there was a possibility of their being Phenicoparrw.]

Chlaphaga melanoptera (Eyton). Andean Goose. Common in the high Puna, though I did not see it near

Lachocc. They were usually to be seen in pairs and were fairly tame. I once saw two parties of twenty each at Pultoc. &Although common by lake-sides, I have never seen them actually on the water, except when alarmed. The male utters only a sort of curious bubbling whisper, but the female has a loud cackle.

Anas specularioides alticola MPnCgaiis. 2662, 9, 13. xi. 37, Lira. The first Crested Ducks I ever saw were on a small pool

close t o the railway station a t Lachocc, where a flock of nine nsed to come periodically to feed. I found them also on all t h e lakes visited in the h n a , but always in small numbers and usually in pairs.

Crested Duck.

Anas versieolor puna Tsch. Puna Teal. There were numbers on all the lakes between Pultoc and

Lira, none of -vrhich are below 14,000 feet. On 10 November I saw one on a little marshy pool by the lakeside at Santa Inez with a fair-sized duckling about two or three weeks old.

1939.1 Depa,rtment of Huaitcaaelica, Peru. 467

Anas flavirostris oxyptera Meyen. Sharp-winged Teal. 265, $!, 15. xi. 37, Lira. A widely distributed species. I saw them on the stream

as far down as Bcoria and on all the streams and lakes in the Yuna. It is very largely a stream Duck, and on 16 September I caught a half-grown young one on the stream above Huan- cavelica.

Oxyura ferruginea (Eyton). Ruddy Duck. I saw quite a number on most of the lakes in the Puna.

Feeding birds keep the tail depressed, but when merely swimming they usually keep it cocked up over the back in a ridiculous manner. I was also surprised to find about it dozen on the little reedy pond above Anco.

Merganetta armata leueogenis (Tsch.). Peruvian Torrent-

84, 3, 14. ix. 37 ; 106, 8, 30. xii. 37, Huancavelica. Seen on the stream as far down as Acoria and upwards to

Lachocc, though i t does not actually range into the true Puna. I also saw it a t Lircay. It frequents the same type of fast- flowing stream as the Harlequin-Duck but is even more active, and is at home in the wildest rapids. They can hop actively from rock to rock and frequently perch on rocks in a very upright manner. They are fairly tame, but when alarmed either dive or swim entirely submerged save for the head. On 20 September I saw a pair a t Yauli with four nearly full-grown young ones, and on 16 October I saw a pair about 4 km. below Lnchocc with a minute solitary duckling which could not have been more than a week old. No. 406 is not through the moult and lacks many tail-feathers and nearly all the flights of one wing.

Duck.

Vultur gryphus L. Condor. On 12 September I saw two of these great birds wheeling

about high up the side of the valley about two miles above Huancavelica. I also twice saw solitary birds near Tala- huarra. The rather long and pointed tail gives it a very distinctive appearance.

212

4 68 Rlr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis

Phalcobaenus megalopterus megalopterus (Meyen). MOUII-

233, 8, 1. xi. 37, Talahuarra. Common in the Puna both above Lacliocc as far as Lira

and also between Huancavelica and Lircay. I also saw them in the valley as far down as Yauli.

tain Caracara.

Geranoaetus melanoleucus australii Swann. Chilean Eagle 25, 6 imm., 31. viii. 37, Huancavelica. I saw this bird everywhere between Lachocc and Acoria,

I t does not seem to be a bird of the I t is a very round-winged bird, and the tail is also

and also a t Lircay. Puna. short and rounded.

Faleo peregrinus cassini Sharpe ( 2 ) . Cassin’s Falcon. I saw this big grey Falcon a t Tauli, a single bird on

6 September and a pair 10 September.

Falco fusco-czrulescens pichinchae Chap. Aplomado Fal-

Seen a t Lircay and Yauli in December.

Falco sparverius peruvianus (Cory). Peruvian Kestrel. 9, d, 38. viii 37 ; 24, 8, 31. viii. 37, Huancavelica ; 62, 8 ;

This Kestrel was common everywhere except in the real It hovers

con.

63, 9, 8. ix. 37, lTauli ; 345, 8, 19. xii. 37, Anco.

Puna. in a similar manner to the English Kestrel.

I found it a t Lachocc, but nowhere above.

Bubo virginianus nacurutu VieiU. Eagle-Owl. 252, 8, 7. xi. 3i , near Talahuarra. Apart from the specimen obtained some way from Tala-

huarra. I came across a couple on the evening of 4 November on a rocky slope near the road. I first heard them uttering a deep booming ‘ * koo-koorr,” with a rolling emphasis on the ‘. rr.”

Aratinga mitrata mitrata (Tsch.). Mitred Conure. 352, 0, 20. xii. 3 i , Anco. A common and, on account of its noisy habits, a conspicu-

I shot three, all in very worn plumage ous species a t Aiico.


and very dirty, being coated with some blackish gum on the underparts. In fact no. 352 was the only one worth skinning, as the others were practically devoid of feathers underneath.

Bolborhynchus andicolus (Finsch). Andean Conure. 390, 391, d$+, 27. xii. 37, Yauli. I several times saw a small party of this little Parrot a t the

end of December (27th, 29th; 31st). They were always to be found in small thorn-bushes far from any trees. They are quiet little birds and are easily overlooked.

Psilopsiagon aurifrons aurifrons (Less.). Yellow-fronted

322, ?++ ; 323, d+, 16. xii. 37 ; 329, d+, 17. xii. 37 ;

There were quite a number of these little birds up the

Micropus andecolus peruvianus Chap. Andean Swift. 45, d, 4. ix. 37 ; 414, 3 ; 415, 0, 1. i. 38, Huancavelica. Seen in the temperate zone from below Huancavelica to

La Mejorada, and also at Lircay, usually hawking over the water. The call is a rattle, a shrill “ chir ” seven times repeated.

[The specimens agree well with others from Tinta, Dept. Cuzco. It is very interesting to find this race a t Huancavelica, whereas at Arequipa, as shown by a series in the British Museum, M . a. pa,rvulus is met with.-C. E. H.]

Patagona gigas peruviana Bouc. Peruvian Giant Humming- Bird.

59, 9, 8. ix. 37, Yauli; 343, q+ ; 344, 0, 19. xii. 37 ; 349,

A few seen from Huancavelica to Acoria, and also a t Lircay. I did not, however, find it really commonuntil I got to Anco, where it was extraordinarily abundant in the more arid places by the river clothed with thorn-bushes and cacti.

Colibri iolatus (Gould). Gould’s Violet-Ear. 364, $++, 22. xii. 37, Anco. I obtained the only one seen in a bushy spot about 3 km.

Conure.

337, o ; 338, ?++, 18. xii. 37, Anco.

fertile quebrada behind Anco. They are tame birds.

; 350, d+, 20. xii. 37, Anco.

above Anco.

470 SIr. -4. Morrison on the Birds of tlw [Ibis.

Leucippus chionogaster chionogaster Tsch. Tschiidi's Whitethroat.

Sd: 31St. 16. sii. 37: 3 3 2 , ~ - - , 1 7 . sii 37 : 333, 334, 335,+ -. 18. sii. 37 ; 346,347, 348,f f, 19. sii. 37 ; 370, +, 23. sii. 37, Anco.

Very common at Xnco whercdliere was well-watered scrubby growth. I never found it in arid places. The prodominance of males in full breeding condition was interesting. The females were presumably nesting but I saw no signs of them. It is a very noisy bird for a Hummer, continually uttering a. shrill " shick, shick, shick .* ; no. 370 contained a number of small black flies in the throat.

Oreotrochilus melanogaster Gould. Black-breasted Hill- Star. 48, 49, GQ, 5 is . 37. Huancavelicn : 33, 0, 6. is . 37 :

66, O, Y. iu. 37 , 70, 5- , 10. i s . 37, Yauli : 57, J+, 11. is. 37 ; 82, d-, 14. i s 37. Huancavelica : 130, 3, 9. s. 37, Lachocc ; 382, Q-. 26. sii 37, Huancavelica : 3'39, q-, 29. sii. 37, Yauli.

The only Humming-Bird I met v itli n-hich really ranges into the Puna I found it everjw-here from Tauli to Ladiocc, and in the high Pnna above the latter place. It was very coninion a little way below Talahuarra, a t about 15,000 feet, on a steep slope n-here there was n littlc scrubby growth. I once saw four in the air together, fighting vigorously and chattering shrilly at each other. In the Pnna they feed largely at the flowers of a curious species of cactus. I believe that they largely disappear from the Pnna when this is not flowering, but I lack final proof. They frequently perch on the ground to feed off low-growing flowers. On 26 November I noticed that they were far more eomnion than I liad ever noticed previously ; no. 382 contained a few of thc same little black flies that I hare found in sonir other Humming-Birds.

Oreonympha nobilis albolimbata Berlioz (Bull. B. 0. C . vol. lviii. p. 44).

50, 54, 2 2 , 6. ix. 37 : 60, 61 (type), 68, 8. ix. 37 : 112, &-, 4. s. 37. Yauli: 281, 5. 30. xi. 37 : 256. 289, dJ+

1939.1 Deprtnient of Huancavelicu, Peru. 471

1. xii. 37 ; 314, 9, 7. xii. 37, Lircay; 393, b, 27. xii. 37 ; 300, dimm., 29. xii. 37 ; 411, imm. ; 412,413, PO+, 31. xii. 37, Yauli.

This beautiful Humming-Bird was tolerably common a t Yauli, Acoria, and Lircay. I only once, 30 December, saw one a little way above Huancavelica. They therefore appear to be confined to the arid temperate zone, where they frequent rather arid places where there are mainly thorn-bushes. Both this and Oreotrochilus rnelanoguster have a habit of sometimes feeding from a twig and bopping about clumsily to reach other flowers. Both at Yauli and Lircay the streams run through heavily fissured limestone gorges, and here these Humming-Birds are often to be seen hovering over the water, and I think they probably nest in caves and fissures. At Lircay I found that their favourite haunts were usually near sisal plants, and they often perch on the large terminal spikes of the leaves.

Nos. 314, 412, 413 all show a fiw metallic feathers on the throat. Immature birds have the basal half of the lower mandible (no. 400) or the basal two-thirds of the upper edge of the lower mandible (no. 411) yellowish.

The sisal does not occur a t Yauli.

Sapho caroli (Boucier). Charles’s Comet. 111, 113, 63, 4. x. 37, Yauli ; 306, 9, 4. xii. 37, Lircay ;

389, 9+, 27. xii. 37, Yauli. I did not see many of this Humming-Bird, and I found it

difficult to shoot, for it is wild, and often perches actually inside small bushes ; no. 306 contained about twelve small black flies in its throat.

Lesbia victoria berlepschi Hellm. Berlepsch’s Train-bearer, dd: 44, 4. ix. 37 ; 81, 14. ix. 37 ; 86, 16. ix. 37 ; 379,

25. xii. 37 ; 395, +, 28. xii. 37 ; 407, $- +, 30. xii. 37, Huan- cavelica.

Lower down it seems t o be replaced by nuw. My examples agree with the description of berlepschi in differing from julitt? by markedly longer bill, longer, darker tail, grass-green (not golden green) gular shield, and brighter rufescent abdominal area. In fact all the green coloration is darker in tone.

Only seen a t Huancavelica and below Lachocc.


[Apart from averaging slightly smaller (wing G2-65 ; tail 118-125 ; bill 14.5-15.5 mni.), these birds are quite typical of berlepschi, previously only known from the upper temperate zone in the vicinity of Cuzco (Anta, Urcos).-C. E. H.]

Lesbia nuna nuna (Less.). Lesson’s Train-bearer. 72, 0, 10. ix. 37, Yauli ; 301, d+, 3. xii. 37, Lircay. This Train-bearer seems to inhabit the lower temperate

zone, and it is presumably this species that I saw a t Acoria and Anco.

Colaptes rupicola puna Cab. Puna Woodpecker. 21, 3, 30. viii. 37 ; 26, d, 31. viii. 37 ; 285, ?+, 1. sii. 37 ;

294, 9, 2. xii. 37, Lircay. This was a common bird everywhere in the temperate and

Puna zones. They are noisy, conspicuous birds and in flight the pale rump is distinctive. They spend all their time on the ground and on rocks, and I have but very rarely seen them perch in isolated trees. The note, constantly uttered, is a shrill yelp often prolonged into a yaffle.” I have seen a bird feeding on small ants like a Green Woodpecker does. It occurs up to the highest levels visited, about 16,000 feet.

Grallaria andicola (Cab.). Stripe-headed Ant-Pitta. 172, d+, 18. x. 37, Lachocc. I several times saw Ant-Pittas in the quinual scrub below

They are, however, the most fearful skulkers, and This record constitutes, I think,

Lachocc. I was very lucky to get one. a southward extension of the range of andicolu.

Geositta cunicularia juninensis Tarz. Juiiin Miner. 186, 187, 99; 188, ?+, 22. x. 37; 208, d+, 209, 9,

25. x. 37, Talahuarra ; 241, 9 ; 248, 243, 4?+, 3. xi. 37, Astobamba.

This bird was extremely common on open ground in the high Puna. They run fussily about, usually in twos and threes, and are quite tame. I have heard them utter a loud cry, ’. che-eek,” repeated seven or eight times. Curiously enough this and the very similar Geositta saxicoii?u are never found together. I found the latter on the niore stony slopes, while juninensis keeps to the level grassy flats. I saw them


everywhere from above Lachocc to Lira and also in the Puna between Huancavelica and Lircay. I was unable to distinguish my specimens from a series of seventeen from Dept. Junin.

Geositta saxicolina Tacz. Black-winged Miner. 161, $, 15. X. 37; 163, Q, 16. x. 37 ; 175, 9: 176, $+ ;

177, Q, 19. x. 37, Lachocc; 205, Q ; 206, 8, 24. x. 37 ; 230, d+ ; 231, ?+, 31. x. 37, Talahuarra.

Seen everywhere in the Puna visited, but always in much smaller numbers than the preceding species. The call-note sounds like “ cheerp, cheerp, cheerp.”

Geositta tenuirostris (Lafr.). Slender- billed Miner. 129, $, 9. x. 37; 136, 137, dd+, 11. x. 37; 138, $+,

12. x . 37, Lachocc ; 312, $!+) 6. xii. 37, above Lircay. Only found in the above-mentioned localities, both of which

are on the lower level of the Puna. I did not see very many. They run about industriously probing the ground for insects, rather like Starlings do. They are very Lark-like in flight. I once watched a bird singing. It flew a little way up and floated down again, with wings and tail outstretched, uttering a rather harsh, monotonous series of notes. The call-note I have noted as “ week, week.”

Cinclodes fuscus rivularis (Cabanis). Rusty-backed Cin- clodes.

16, d) 29. viii. 37 ; 95, 8, 18. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 114, $, 7. x. 37 ; 182, $, 20. x. 37, Lacbocc.

This Cinclodes is a very common species in the Puna. At Huancavelica it was uncommon, and I saw it only in open places. Like atacamen.sis, it is usually seen in pairs, but is not nearly so much of a stream bird as that species. They are continually to be heard trilling away, and sometimes when doing so they have a curious habit of slowly opening and shut- ting their wings. The alarm-cry is a “ tick, tick.”

Cinclodes atacamensis atacamensis (Phil.). White-winged

30, ; 31, 0, 1. ix. 37, Huancavelica; 52, $, 6. ix. 37, Cinclodes.

Yauli ; 195, 9, 22. x. 37, Talahuarra.

47-1 Mr. A. Xorrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

I found this species well distributed everywhere in the Puna and also as far down as Yauli and Lircay. They are fussy little birds, usually seen in pairs along the streams: in fact I at first took it to be a species of Dipper ! In the temperate part of its range it is alwaysfoundalong the s t ream, but rather less in the Puna, although even there I never saw i t away from damp places. It is less common in the Puna than in the temperate zone, and is there greatly outnumbered by the preceding species. Lower down, however, the reverse is the case. They utter a continuous, chattering cry, with an occasional longer and more melodious call-note. On 19 October I found a nest in a hole in a rubble bank by the stream below Lachocc. I could not reach it, but the young appeared to be i F d 1 gro\r?i.

Cinclodes palliatus (Tsch. ). 222, 223, $3. 26. x. 37 : 244, 8,s. xi. 37, Talahuarra ; 264,

3. 1 1 si. 37, Lira. I found these curious birds only a t the highest altitudes

visited, above Talahuarra a t nearly 16,000 feet, a little way below Chonta on the road to PuItoc, and after n heavy fall of WOIV at Lira I once saw fonr or five in a day, hut it is ;I

distinctly rare bird. The call I noted down as a high-pitched .. c3hipc." They have quite a Jay-like appearance, and hop about. like the othcr smaller species, with the tail cocked up over thfs hack.

White-bellied Cinclodes.

Upucerthia validirostris jelskii (Cab.). Jelski's Earth- creeper.

103, 106. 107, 9$ : 108, 8. 3. s. 37, Huancavelica : 180, $, 8. s. 37: 1.39, 8, 15. x. 37, Lachocc.

Seen everywhere in the Puna between Lachocc and Lira, a n d also a little way above Huancavelica. They were nearly always found in rocky places where there is a certain amount of cover. They inow very quickly on the ground and usually have the tail cocked up. One of those shot above Huancavelica had an old cactus-spine sticking into the belly. About it third of the total length of one inch had entered the body. The external part was hard and dry. and the part inside softer and swollen.

The call is a noisy rattle.


In coloration, particularly that of the rectrices, the above birds show some approach to pallida, but the differences do not seem to me to be worthy of recognition.

Upucerthia serrana huancavelieae Morrison (Ibis, 1938,

104, 8, 22. ix. 37, Yauli ; 132, S. (type), 10. x. 37 ; 164, 9, 16. x. 37 ; 180, 9, 20. x. 37, Lachocc.

This is rather a secretive bird, and found only where there is bushy cover. There were quite a number in the quinual scrub below Lachocc. It is a ground bird and often runs with its chestnut tail tilted at right angles over its back. I once caught a brief glimpse of one above Lircay.

p. 774).

Leptasthenura striata albigularis Morrison (Ibis, 1938, p. 775). 102, 8, 20. ix. 37 ; 110, d, 5. x. 37, Yauli ; 273, 2 (type),

29. xi. 37 ; 288, 2, 1. xii. 37 ; 302, 304, 3. xii. 37, Lircay. I found this Spine-tail not uncommon at Yauli and Lircay,

and on 24 September I shot one at Acoria, but it was hit too badly to preserve. They creep actively about through trees and bushes, and their actions are rather like Long-tailed Tits. I have never seen them climb like Creepers.

[This Spine-tail seems to be somewhat intermediate between superciliaris and typical striata, combining the unmarked greyish-tinged apical zone of the lateral rectrices and the white dorsal streaking of the first-named with the absence of the conspicuous white postocular stripe, while the coloration of the pileum, varying, as it does, from cinnamon-rufous to cinnamon, bridges the gap separating the two races. L. s. nlbigu- laris differs, however, from both by its unmarked, plain white throat and foreneck.-C. E. H.]

Leptasthenura andicola peruviana Chap. Peruvian Spine-

144, 9, 12. x. 37, Lachocc ; 251, &+, 7. xi. 37, Talahuarra. No. 144 was obtained in the quinual scrub below Lachocc.

On 20 October I saw another in the same place, andtheonly other example seen was no. 251, shot on a steep slope below Talahuarra covered with a scrubby bush called “ chachacunia.”

tail.

4Tfi JIr. A. Morrison on the Birds of the [Ibis,

[The two specimens agree perfectly with the detailed notes made by Hellmayr, some years ago, on the type in the U.S. Kational Museum at Washington.-C. E. H.]

Cranioleuca albicapilla albicapilla (Cab.). Buff-capped Spine-

369, $+, 23. xii. 37, Anco. This, the only bird seen, was shot in a sheltered spot UP

tail.

behind ,4nco. The cap appears yellow in the field.

Asthenes ottonis (Bed.). Garlepp’s Spine-Tail. 103, 0, 20. ix. 37, Yauli ; 272, Q, 29 xi. 37 ; 357, d+,

30. xi. 37, Lircay ; 394,3,27. s i i . 37 ; 401, ?,29. xii. 37, Yauli. Not uncommon a t k’aiili and Lircay, but furtive ahd

difficult to shoot.

Asthenes d’orbgnyi huaneavelicae Morrison (Ibis, 1838,

6, d+, 27. viii. 3i , Huancavelica : 55. 0, 6. is. 37 ; 65, 0,

S. is. 37, Yauli ; 79, 3, 13. is. 37, Huancavelica ; 100, $+, 20. ix. 37, Tauli ; 380, ~ ’ f ; 381, 8, 25. xii. 37, Huancavelica ; 403, 401, Y q - . 29. xii. 37 ; 409. o (imm.) ; 410, $++ (type), 31. xii. 37, Yauli.

Plentiful a t Yauli and Huancarelica, where it is found in the rather arid places where there is a growth mainly of thorn- bushes and cacti. Like the other Asthenes, it isalmostentirely it ground bird. Its movements are very quick, and the tail is usually cocked up at a sharp angle. The song is a pretty falling lilt, and is usually uttered from the top of a bush. On 26 December I flushed a bird off a newly-made nest. One can always see plenty of old ones, for they are placed without any attempt a t concealment, usually in cacti. The nest was a more or less round ball about 10 inches in diameter and made of fair-sized twigs of a common and unpleasant thorn-bush. There was a thick wall of these, and i t is difficult t o see how such a small bird could weave the twigs together so strongly. From the small entrance-hole a short tunnel led to the snug inner nest, warmly lined with chicken-feathers.

In December they were much more common a t Yauli than they had been in September.

p. 774).


Asthenes humilis humilis (Cab.). Cabanis’s Spotted-backed Spine-tail.

115, $, 7. x. 37 ; 135,3,11. x. 37 ; 141, 9; 142,3,12. x. 37 ; 151, $2, 13. x. 37, Lachocc ; 194, $2, 22. x. 37 ; 202, 3++ ; 203, $2+ ; 204, d++, 24. x. 37 ; 228, 229, JJ+, 31. x. 37, Talahuarra ; 310, $2, 5. xii. 37, above Lircay.

Very common in the Puna. They favour rocky places, preferably where there is a growth of scrubby bushes, and often run about with the tail held vertically. The cry which I have heard is a high-pitched monotone chatter.

Asthenes wyatti graminicola (Scl.). Sclater’s Spine-tail. 169, $+, 17. x. 37, Lachocc. The only specimen seen was shot a little way below Lachocc.

The race graminicola is not represented in the British Museum. My specimen agrees quite well with the description, but the throat-spot is pale ochreous yellow, not red.

Agriornis montana insolens Scl. & Salv. Whitely’s Ground- Tyrant.

$J+ : 22, 30. viii. 37 ; 80, 14. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 154, 14. x. 37, Lachocc.

Although I saw several examples at Huancavelica, this is really a Puna bird, but is nowhere very abundant. I have seen it up to about 15,500 feet near Talahuarra, and there were quite a number between Huancavelica and Lircay.

Muscisaxicola rufivertex occipitalis Ridg. Titicaca Ground- Tyrant.

5, d+, 27. viii. 37 ; 27, 0, 1. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 123, 9, 9. x. 37 ; 133, d+, 11. x. 37 ; 139, J+, 12. X. 37 ; 153, $!+, 13. X. 37 ; 155, $+, 14. x. 37 ; 156, J+, 15. x. 37, Lachocc ; 311, d+, 5. xii. 37, Lircay; 373, 374, imm., 25. xii. 37 ; 385,$ imm., 26. xii. 37 ; 405, d++, 30. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

Common in the open places, where they are constantly on the move, running quickly forward and continually flirting wings and tail. This and all the rest of the genus that I saw are silent birds.

Muscisaxicola juninensis Tacz. Junin Ground-Tyrant. 198, $++, 23. x. 37 ; 207, 9, 25. x. 37 ; 221, $2, 26. x. 37,

Talahuarra ; 257, ?+ ; 258, 9, 11. xi. 37, Santa Inez.

4 i S MY. A. Morrisou 012 the Birds of the [Ibis,

Xot particularly comnion, h i t a little difficult to distinguish

Muscisaxicola flavinucha Lafr. Yellow-nnped Ground-

189, 2, 22. x. 37, Talahuarra. This, the only example seen, was shot a little way below

Muscisaxicola albifrons (Tsch.). White-fronted Ground-

SS-; ; 183, 184, 186, 22. x. 37 ; 220, 16. x. 37, Talahuarra. Common in the high Puna around Talahuarra, and also

wen at Lira. They range up to the greatest heights visited. nbout 16,000 feet, where the only other Ground-Tyrant is X. alpinn grisea. The large size and very long wings make it look like a small Falcon in flight.

Muscisaxieola alpina grisea Tacz. Ash-colourecl Ground-

14.5. 2-, 12. x. 3i, Lachocc ; 190, ;-, 22. s. 37 : 200, d + ,

Fairly coniinon in the Puna. but very difficult to distinguish

Muscisaxicola alpina einerea Phil. & Landb. Cinereoiia

118, 5, 7. s. 37 ; 131, j. 9. s. 37, Lnchocc ; 199, 9, 24. x. 37,

It is impossible to make reliable field-records of this, the

Muscisaxieola maculirostris maculirostris Lafr. & d'Orb.

7, o : 8, 2, 27. viii. 37, Huancarelica. A t the end of August and beginning of September this

-pecks was common at Sauli and Hiiancavelica, but had practically disappeared a t the end of December. I have oilly one other record-one seen above Lircay on 5 December.

from the other species.

Tyrant.

Tala huarra .

Tyrant.

Tyrant.

24. 2;. 37 ; 211, S- : 212, 2 7 . 23. s. 37, Talahuarra.

in the field from cineren.

Gromid-Tyrant .

Talaliuarra.

laqt form, and juniitensis as they are all so similar.

Spot -billed Ground-Tyrant.

Lessonia rufa oreas Scl. & Salv. Andean Ground-Tyrant. 191. 9 4 ; 192,J- ; 193, s-, 22. X. 37; 210, 31,25. X. 37,

Talahuarra.


This is a common little bird in the high Puna wherever there are damp, open places, and always around lakes. It is rather like a Muscisaxicola, but much less active in its movements. In flight the whitish primaries are very conspicuous. The note is a feeble metallic chip.

Ochthoca ananthoides poiionota Scl. & Salv. Sooty-backed

128, 0, 9. x. 37; 143, 0, 12. x. 37; 174, 0, 19. x. 37 ;

I found this Tyrant in places in the Puna where there was

Ochthoca leucophrys interior Zimm. Peruvian Chat- Tyrant.

13, 9, 28. Viii. 37 ; 23, 0, 29. viii. 37, Huancavelica ; 309, d+ +, 4. xii. 37, Lircay ; 366, d+, 23. xii. 37, Anco ; 392, d+, 27. xii. 37 ; 402, d++, 29. xii. 37, Yauli.

Quite common in places where there was a growth of bushes. Compared with the following : interior, 1 (Acancocha) ; leuco- metopa, 8 ; zcrubambz, 7 : cajamarcz, 8.

Chat-Tyrant .

179, $++, 20. x. 37, Lachocc.

a certain amount of cover, either rocks or scrubby bushes.

Sayornis nigricans latirostris (Cab. t Heine). White-

356, 9, 21. xii. 37, Anco. One shot out of a pair a t Anco that were hawking for flies

along a shady stretch of river-bank. They perched only on the boulders, although there were plenty of trees and bushes aa well.

Knipolegus aterrimus anthracinus Heine. Heine’s Black

331,0,17. xii. 37 ; 354, d+, 21. xii. 37, Anco. Seen only at h c o .

winged Phebe.

Tyrant.

It seems to prefer places where there is a secondary growth of bushes, and does not occur among trees.

Pyrrhomyias cinnamomea cinnamomea (Lafr. & d’Orb.).

320, $2 ; 321,0, 16. xii. 37 ; 327, $2 ; 328, J++, 17. xii. 37 ; Cinnamon-coloured Tyrant.

339, d+, 18. xii. 37, Anco.


Fairly common in sheltered places a t Anco beneath trees. They mere hawking for insects like Flycatchers.

Spizitornis parulus Eequatorialis (Berl. & Tacz. ). Equatorial

1.52, d++, 13. x. 37 ; 138, PT, 15. s. 37 ; 166,0, 16. x.37 ;

Found only in the quinual scrub below Lachocc. I never The absence of yellow on the bil!

Another point of difference is the

Tit-like Tyrant.

167, P+, 17. x. 37, Lacliocc.

saw it anywhere else. makes it easy to pick ont. whitish iris, which is dark bronii in javirostris.

Spizitornis flavirostris flavirostris (Scl. & Salv.). Yellow- billed Tit-like Tyrant.

33, 3, 1. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 56, 0, 6. ix. 37, Yauli ; 282, 0 , 1 . xii. 37 ; 296, d+, 3. xii. 35, Lircay.

Usually to be seen in the temperate zone where there were bushes. They are extraordinarily active little birds, and are cwitinually on the move. The song, if it can be known as such, is a short, rather shrill crescending rattle. On 18 December I shot one a t h c o .

Elaenia albieeps modesta Tsch. 271, d+, 29. xi. 37, Lircny ; 330,0, 17. xii. 37 ; 361, d++ ;

362, 363, ??++. 22. xii. 37 ; 368, 371, dd++, 23. xii. 37, Anco.

No. 271 was shot in a copse of eucalyptus trees. All the Anco birds were obtained in secondary bushy growth. The semi-erectile crest is usually to be Seen very conspicuously in the living bird.

Peruvian Elsnia.

Petroehelidon andeeola subsp. $2, o ; 43, 9, 3. ix. 37 ; 91,0, 16. ix. 37, Huancavelica. In September and the end of August this was a common

species hawking for flies over the stream a t Huancavelica, although outnumbered by Orochelidon. On 2 October I shot a male in fully developed breeding condition, and on 2 November 1 saw six or seven hawking about over a small lake near Ta,lahuarra. A t the end of December, however, I never saw

1939.1 Department of Huancuvelica, Peru. 481

a single one in their old haunts near Huancavelica. I am unable to determine the exact race owing to the bad state of the skins.

Orochelidon murina (Cass.). Brown-banded Swallow. 32, 0, 1. ix. 37 ; 39, 0, 2. ix. 37 ; 57, o ; 58, $+, 7. ix. 37,

Huancavelica . Seen from below Lachocc to Mejorada, and also at Lircay,

always near the stream. At the end of December there were far fewer than in September.

Troglodytes musculus puna Berl. & Stol. Puna House-Wren. 20, 0, 29. viii. 37 ; 73, d+, 11. ix. 37, Huancavelica; 216,

d++ ; 217, 0, 25. x. 37 ; 250, d++, 7. xi. 37, Talahuarra ; 358, $++ ; 359, imm., 22. xii. 37, Anco.

In appearance and behaviour this is very like the European Wren, but there is no limit to the variety of songs it can produce. The tail is often kept straight, although I have seen it cocked up. It is very common, and was seen at every locality visited. On 17 October I found a nest in the quinual scrub below Lachocc, a little domed affair built into a bank. The eggs contained fair-sized embryos and were white, finely spotted with reddish-brown, heavily at the blunt end. On 25 December I found a Wren’s nest containing putrefying but recognizable nestlings in a Spine-tail’s nest at Huancavelica.

Cinclus leucocephalus leucocephalus Tsch. White-capped

168, $+, 17. x. 37, Lachocc. Seen everywhere from Lachocc to Acoria and also at Lircay,

always in the temperate zone. I have seen it a little way above Lachocc where the valley opens out into Puna, but nowhere else in the latter zone.

Dipper.

Turdus fuscator gigantodes Cab. Giant Ousel. 299, Q++, 3. xii. 37, Lircay ; 319, d++, 16. xii. 3 7 ;

In the field I had difficulty in distinguishing between this I found it sparingly at Lircay and

336, ?++, 18. xii. 37, Anco.

bird and chigmnco. SER. XIV.-VOL. III. 2K


Anco. eye-ring which is not possessed by the female.

The bill is orange. The male has a conspicuous yellow

Turdus chiguanco chiguanco Lafr. & d’Orb. d‘orbigny’s Ousel.

11, 9, 28. viii. 3 i ; 16, 9, 5 . ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 280, d+, 30 xi. 37 : 593, J+, 2 . s i i . 3 i : 308, 2-, 4. xii. 37, Lirvay.

Seen at, all localities where there were any trees. On 23 December I found two nests a t Anco, each containing two fresh eggs. I am inclined to think that this is the usual number of eggs in a clutch, for I found a nest a t the beginning of January at Huancayo which contained only two nestlings.

Vireo virescens chivi (Vieill.). Chivi Vireo. 325, d++, 17. xii. 37 ; 357, df+, 22. xii. 37, Anco. I shot the fmt bird as it was creeping about a tree like

a big Warbler, the second as it was singing in a bush. The song was a loud “ chirr, chee-chee, chirr,” repeated again and again. These were the only examples seen.

Anthus bogotensis immaoulatus c(orF. 78, 9, 12. ix. 3 7 ; 92, :: 93, $!+, 16. ix. 3 7 ; 396, d++,

Found only in some damp meadows a little way above

Unstreaked Pipit.

28. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

Huancarelica.

Pheucticus chrysopeplus chrysogaster (Less.). Yellow-bellied

307, ?+, 3. xii. 37, Lirray. The above specimen was the only one I came across, shot

in a glade aniong cherry trees.

Grosbeak.

Pheucticus uropygiali terminalis Chap. Yellow-rumped Grosbeak.

315, d+ ; 316, ?++, 16. xii. 37 ; 324, b++, 17. xii. 37 ; 365, d++, 32. xii. 37 ; 367, d++, 23. xii. 37, Anco.

This conspicuous bird was quite common at Anco in the fertile, well-watered places, where it was feeding on wild

1939.1 Department of Huancuvelica, Peru.

cherries. saw it at Acoria and La Mejorada.

The song is short, but sweet and mellow. I also

Idiospira inornata inornata (Lafr.). 120,0,8. x. 37 ; 140,6,12. x. 37 ; 157,$,15. x. 37, Lachocc. At Lachocc I saw a few of these birds, usually associating

with Phrygilus plebejus, and once I saw a solitary bird a t Talahuarra. My birds seem a little small, wings 70, 70, 69 mm.

Little Seed-eater.

Catamenia analoides griseiventris Chap. Lafresnaye’s Seed- eater.

17, $, 29. viii. 37, Huancavelica ; 71, 0, 10. ix. 37 ; 99, 0, 20. ix. 37, Yauli ; 274, 9, 30. xi. 37 ; 290, ?+, 2. xii. 37 ; 297, $+, 3. xii. 37, Lircay ; 340,s ; 341,342, d$+, 19. xii. 37, Anco.

This little Finch occurs in twos and threes in semi-arid places where there are bushes. Seen everywhere in the temperate zone, but they were far more common at Anco than at any other locality.

Saltator aurantirostris albociliaris (Phil. & Landb.). White- browed Saltator.

35,3 ,2 . ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 51, 0, 6. ix. 37, Yauli ; 269, $+, 29. xi. 37 ; 279, ?+, 30. xi. 37, Lircay ; 408, ?+, 30. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

Common where there are trees or large bushes. They have a brief but loud and cheery seven-syllable song. I also saw it at Anco.

Spinus uropygialis (Scl.). Yellow-rumped Siskin. 218, $+, 25. x. 37, Talahuarra. The bird shot, and two others seen the day after, were

consorting with Black Siskins and feeding on scrubby plants, two to three feet high, on a steep slope by Talahuarra. I never saw any others ; no. 218 was incredibly fat.

This species, which breeds in Central Chile, undoubtedly is only a migratory visitant to Peru. It had already been listed for San Mateo, above Lima, by Taczanowski.-C. E. H.]

[A very interesting record.

2 9 2

484 Mr. A. Morrison O ~ E the Birds of the [Ibis,

Sphus atratus (d’Orb.). Black Siskin. 219, 9, 25. x. 37 ; 226, d ; 227, d+, 31. x. 37, Talahuarra. A few seen in the high Puna mainly on steep and rocky

slopes where there was a certain growth of a scrubby bush which grows about two feet high.

Spinus icterieus peruanus Berl. 6 Stolz. Peruvian Black- headed Siskin.

15, 6, 29. viii. 37, Huancavelica; 278, df, 30. xi. 37 ; 284, 3 ; 287, d+, 1. xii. 37, Lircay ; 372, ?+, 25. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

Abundant in the temperate zone, but not seen at Anco. They are charming little birds, and often a chorus of males will unite to sing together very prettily.

Brachyspiza capensis peruviensis (Less.). Chingolo Song- Sparrow. 4, 0, 27. viii. 37 ; 37, 0, 2. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 181, 9,

20. x. 37, Lachocc ; 275, 9, 30. xi. 37, Lircay. I reaIly think this is the commonest bird in Peru. It swarms

everywhere in the temperate zone, alike in open country and amongst houses. It is parasitic on man in the Puna, and in Huancavelica I never saw it above Lachocc. The little half-crest is constantly raised The song is a musical rattle preceded by a longer, drawling note. The birds had young ones a t the end of December in Huancavelica. It was far less abundant in Anco than any other locality.

I never saw very many.

Pseudoehloris uropygialis sharpei Bed. & Stolz. Sharp’s Ground-Finch.

117, 8, 7. x. 37; 126, 9, 9. x. 37; 134, 9, 11. x. 37 ; 146, 147, 00 ; 148, 8, 13. x. 37 ; 162, d, 15. x. 37, Lachocc ; 232, $2, 31. x. 37, Talahuarra.

Extremely common in the Puna. I have seen it in flocks which must have contained 300 birds. It often consorts with Phrygilus plebejus.

Phrygilus gayi ehloronotus Bed. & Stolz. Olive-backed

12, 6, 28. viii. 37; 36, d, 2. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 127, d,

Common in the Puna and arid temperate zones, where it

Gay’s Finch.

‘3. x. 37 ; 150, $, 13. x. 37, Lachocc.

1939.1 Department of Huanmvelim, Peru. 485

is usually to be found in twos and threes on the ground and among rocks. Call-note, a feeble “ chip, chip.’’ Not seen below Yauli and Lircay.

Phrygilus fruticeti peruvianus Zimm. Mourning Finch. 1, 9 ; 2 Q ; 3, $, 27. viii. 37, Huancavelica; 270, $,

29. xi. 37 ; 295, 9, 2. xii. 37 ; 303, $+, 3. xu. 37, Lircay. Common in the temperate zone where there are bushes,

in which they spend most of their time. The male has a simpIe song, a drawling Bunting-like note, uttered as it sails down from a little height like a Pipit. It is found up the valley to just below Lachocc, but I have not seen it below Yauli or &cay.

Phrygilus unicolor inca Zimm. Slate-coloured Finch. 116, Q, 7. x. 37 ; 122, $, 8. x. 37 ; 160,$, 15. x. 37 ; 170,$,

Seen in small numbers at Lachocc, Talahuarra, and Santa

Phrygilus plebejus Tsch. Ash-breasted Finch. 14, 0, 28. viii. 37 ; 28, o ; 29, $, 1. ix. 37, Huancavelica ;

125, 0, 9. x. 37, Lachocc. I found this little Finch very common in the Puna and

as far down as Huancavelica. I saw it also above Lircay. They are tame, and continually utter a silly little note that sounds like ‘‘ tseeck, tseeck.”

Diuca speeulifera (Lafr. 6 d’0rb.). White-winged Diuca Finch.

119, $, 7. x. 37 ; 124, $, 9. x. 37, Lachocc. Quite common in the Puna in open places. Usually seen

in small parties. Note, a plaintive “ week-week.”

Diglossa carbonaria brunneiventris Lafr. Black-throated Diglossa.

83, $+, 14. ix. 37 ; 87, 9, 16. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 101, $+, 20. ix. 37, Yauli ; 283, $+ +, 1. xii. 37 ; 292, 9,2. xii. 37 ; 298,

Fairly common in the above-mentioned localities wherever there are bushes. The call is a sibilant “ tsip, tsip,” and the male has a quiet but pretty little rippling song, audible only t close range.

18. x. 37, Lachocc.

Inez. Note, a simple “ chip.”

juv., 3. xii. 37, Lircay.

The flight is rather feeble and undulating.

4% On the Birdsofthe Department of Haancacelica, Peru. [Ibis,

Conirostrum cinereurn sinereum Lafr. & d’0rb. Cinereous Cone- bill.

19, 0 , 29. viii. 37 ; 40, 0, 3. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 171, 9, 18. x. 37, Lachocc ; 360, Q, 12. xii. 37, Anco.

I frequently saw these little birds where there was a certain amount of rank vegetation. They are charming little things, continually on the move and uttering their cheerful call. &so seen a t Lircay and Yauli.

Oreomanes fraseri Scl. Fraser’s Giant Cone-bill. 165,0, 16. x. 37 ; 173, d++, 18 x. 37 ; 178, d+, 19. X . 37,

Lachocc. Found only in the old quinual scrub below Lachow, at about

13,000 feet. They were difficult to see, and I have practically nothing recorded about them, except that 1 saw two busily stripping off the flaky bark, presumably in search of insects.

[These speclimens are larger (wing 93 ; tail 64, 65 mm.) and have decidedly more silvery-u-hite above the chestnut superciliarics as n-ell as on the forehead than others from Ecuador and Colombia (Pasto). In one of the males the white stripe extends as far back as the posterior end of the auriculars, and on the left side the chestnut supercilium is largely intermixed with white feathers, thus marking a close approach to the variant described as 0. binghami.-C. E. H.]

Thraupis bonariensis darwinii (Bp.). Darwin’s Tanager. 18, 8, 29. viii. 37 ; 38, 6, 3. ix. 37, Huancavelica ; 276,

0, 30. ix. 37 ; 291, $+, 1. xii. 37, Lircay ; 386, $?++, 26. xii. 37, Huancavelica.

Common everjwhere from Huancavelica down to Anco. In December they n-ere very common wherever there were wild cherry trees, and were feeding on the fruit in company w5fh Thrushes.

Dives dives kalinowskii Berl. & Stolz. Kalinowski’s Grackle. 10, 6,28. viii. 37, Huancavelica ; 353, ?+, PO. xii. 37, Anco. I saw several of these birds in the irrigated quebradas at

h c o where there were plenty of trees, but it was not common. I am certain that no. 10 wasan escaped cage-bird, as it is quite commonly kept by the natives. Wings, 8, 142 ; Q, 140 mm.

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The Downy Young of some Nearctic Limicolines

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