Habits of al Cap'imulgus found near Lima. 633 



attached to the inner surface of the trachea (windpipe) of a 

 number of pheasants that had died. In 11. 300, 301., are 

 particulars on the conditions of the death of a hen, which had 

 died of strangulation from a lump of cellular substance which 

 had been formed around the trachea immediately above its 

 entrance under the breastbone. In I. 300., and II. 288., are 

 remarks relative to the rearing of young pheasants ; and, in 

 the remarks in I. 300., it is noticed that certain young phea- 

 sants had died " very suddenly, as they " were " throwing out 

 their crop and tail feathers." The late Rev. L. Guilding had 

 made this note on that fact : — " The destruction of the young 

 pheasants may have proceeded from parasitic lice and acari. 

 In the West Indies, these creatures are fatal ; and a single 

 acarus will sometimes kill a full-grown fowl. An account of 

 these pests was sent [by me], with a drawing, to the con- 

 ductors of the Zoological Journal^ several years ago, who have 

 not yet been able to insert it. — L. Guilding, St, Vincent^ 

 May 1. 1830." 



Art. III. Information on the Habits of a Species of Caprimulgus 

 [or of some closely allied Genus) xvhich inhabits the Neighbourhood 

 of Lima. By Mr. Andrew Mathews, A.L.S., Travelling Col- 

 lector of Natural Productions in South America. 



The specimen sent is one of the male of a species which is 

 common in the vicinity of Lima. It visits this neighbourhood 

 in about the end of October or beginning of November. The 

 female lays her egg (I have not seen more than one) upon 

 the bare ground, without the least sign or preparation of a 

 nest, and at a distance from any vegetation. One which I 

 had watched daily, this last summer, until the young bird had 

 become hatched from it, was laid on a " huaca " (a large heap 

 of stones) planted around the base with grape vines ; so that, 

 had the bird preferred privacy, she might have placed her 

 egg where it would have been more secret. The egg is of 

 about the size of a blackbird's egg, of a dirty white or stone 

 colour, mottled with olive and brownish green of different 

 shades. The young is, at first, covered with a greyish down : 

 as its feathers appear, it assumes the colour and markings of 

 the parent. The female parent, during the period of incuba- 

 tion, is remarkably fearless, and will even suffer the hand to 

 be brought within 2 ft. of her before she will quit her charge. 

 Her colour is so much that of the ground and stones, that 

 she, when sitting, is not readily observed. When she does 

 quit her charge, it is only for the distance of a few yards ; 



