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48. Sclerurus caudacutus brunneus Bel. 



[Thamnophilua caudacutus Vieillot. Nouv. Dirt. Hi. p. 310 (1816.— "Be trouve k la Gimme," 



sc. Cayenne).] 

 Sclerurus brunneus Sclater, P.Z.S. London 1857. p. 17 (BogoU coll.). 



No. 710. Immature bird (not sexed), 80. v. 00. " Iris dark brown, feet brown, 

 bill black." 



This bird is absolutely identical with a pair from Marabitanas, Rio Negro,* 

 collected by Natterer. Specimens from Bogota (including the type of S. brunneus) 

 and Northern Pern (Yurimaguas and Chyavetas, E. Bartlett coll.) differ from the 

 three Brazilian skins only by being very slightly darker brown on the back and 

 abdomen. The type of S. brunneus, which is quite a young bird in fluffy plumage, 

 beloDgs without doubt to the same form as those from Upper Amazonia, since an 

 adult from the Rio Meta, east of Bogota (Wheeler coll., Mns. Brit.), agrees in 

 every particular with the latter. 



I was always very much interested in the species of this puzzling genus, and 

 having had the opportunity of studying a good number of specimens and of 

 examining several types, I think it useful to give a short resume of the results 

 arrived at with regard to the forms of the 5. caudacutus-gtaap. In the Pro,: 

 U.S. Nat. Mus. xii. 1889 (pnbl. 1890) pp. 21—31, Mr. R, Ridgway published a 

 review of the genus Sclerurus, which was of great assistance to me. I have, 

 however, to differ from his conclusions in several points, especially in nomenclature. 



According to the material examined, the following geographical forms of 

 S. caudacutus should be recognised : 



a. Sclerurus caudacutus caudacutus (Vieill.) 



Hab. Cayenne ; British Guiana. 



Typical locality : Cayenne. 



I have but a few words to add to Ridgway's description {I.e. p. 27). In the 

 single Cayenne specimen before me the chin and upper throat are white without 

 dusky edges ; the feathers of the lower throat pale tawny, margiued with dark 

 brown at the tips. In seven skins from British Guiana (Rio Carimang, Takutn B., 

 Mernme Mts., R. Atapnrow, Quonja and Camacusa) the whole throat is pale tawny 

 with scarcely any trace of brown edges. A series from Cayenne is required to 

 confirm the constancy of this difference or otherwise. 



In other respects the specimens are very uniform inter se. The upper 

 parts are Vandyke or rnfescent brown, passing into dull rufous brown on the 

 upper tail-coverts only ; sides of head and neck, as well as chest, dull russet 

 brown. Wing 90—97 ; tail 04—71 ; bill 22—24 mm. 



b. Sclerurus caudacutus umbretta (Lcht.) 

 ifyiothera umbretta Lichtenstein, Verz. DubL Berliner Mns. p. 43 (1823— Bahia). 

 Sclerurus laurem i ttulgway, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xii. 1889. p. 29 (1890.— Bahia). 



' ' ''"''/""■'"•' Wied,5«>. Naturg. Bmsil. 3. ii. p. 1106 (1831,-part. : descr. J only hab 



part. : ? Belraonte, Bahia). * 



Uab. Eastern Brazil from Bahia to Parti,t west to Borba, J on the lower Rio 

 Madeira. 



Typical locality : Bahia. 



• Oilerunu caudacutus vav., Pelzeln, Zwr Orn.UK Brat. ii. (1868) p. 86 (Marabitanas) 

 t Merurus cavdaeutus (nee Vieillot) Hellraayr, Kor. Zool. xii. 1905. p. 279 (learapc-Assfi Part) 

 Sclater ft Salvin, P.SS.B. 1867. p. 573 (Capta, River.-specirnen examined). P ' '' 



{ Selentrvs caudacutus Pebeln, Zur Ornith, BrasU. ii. (1868) p. 86 (part.: Borba). 



