PYRGISOMA. 401 
inner primaries; the first primary falls half an inch short of the wing tip; the tail is 
moderate and considerably rounded ; the tarsi are strong, the toes rather short, the 
middle toe and claw a little shorter than the tarsus, the claw being long. 
a. Guttur album, pileus castaneus. 
a. Macula pectoralis nigra nulla. 
1. Pyrgisoma biarcuatum. 
Pyrgita biarcuatus, Prév. Voy. Vénus, Ois. t. 6°. 
Pyrgisoma biarcuatum, Bp. Consp. Av. 1. p. 486°; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 18°; Salv. Cat. 
Strickl. Coll. p. 234 *. 
Supra brunneo-fuscum, pileo postico et nucha lete castaneis, fronte et macula subauriculari utrinque nigris, 
auricularibus ipsis castaneis ; loris, regione oculari et corpore subtus lactescente-albis, cervicis lateribus 
grisescentibus, hypochondriis et crisso fuscis; rostro nigro, pedibus corylinis. Long. tota 6°3, ale 2°7, 
caude 3-0, rostri a rictu 0°6, tarsi 1-0. (Descr. exempl. ex Coban, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Av. juv. supra fuscus nigro irroratus ; subtus albidus, pectore fusco maculatus; capitis lateribus albidis fusco 
mixtis, macula subauriculari nigra. (Descr. exempl. ex Duenas, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Guatemata (Constancia*), Duefias*, Escuintla, Retalhuleu, Coban (0. S. & 
FP. D. G.). 
This species was described by Prévost from specimens obtained during the voyage 
of the French frigate ‘ Vénus.’ These examples were said to have been from California 
and Guatemala 2—the former locality evidently an error, for subsequent observations 
have fixed the species to Guatemala, outside the limits of which country P. biarcuatum 
has never been seen. 
In Guatemala, however, it is a very well-known bird; and in the highlands, where 
it is quite common, it goes by the trivial name of “ Quatro-ojos,” the marks on the face 
giving it the appearance of having four eyes. 
It is a resident species, frequenting thick underwood near the more open and culti- 
vated districts, living on or near the ground. It builds a very deep nest, composed of 
dead leaves and sticks, and lined with a few horsehairs; this structure is placed in a 
low bush five or six feet from the ground. The eggs, usually two in number, are 
closely but distinctly spotted with red on a ground of creamy white. 
Though P. cabanisi has been mistaken for this bird, P. biarcuatum enjoys the 
privilege as yet of being without a synonym. 
b’. Macula pectoralis nigra. 
2. Pyrgisoma kiener1. 
Pyrgisoma kieneri, Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 486"; Scl. & Salv. P. Z.S. 1868, p. 325°; Ex. Orn. p. 130, 
t. 65. f. 2°. 
Fuscum, pileo et capitis lateribus rufis ; plumis auricularibus dorso concoloribus, harum autem apicibus casta- 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol. I., August 1886. dL 
