356 Mr. 0. Salvin on Central-American Birds. 



are of a greenish blue^ like those of T. major of Brazil. An egg 

 of T. meserythrus, procured by Mr. Owen, is of a reddish choco- 

 late-brown colour. A specimen of that of T. sallm, in the British 

 Museum, is a creamy white. Other eggs of species belonging to 

 this peculiar family in my collection tend to show that even a 

 specific character may very fairly be assumed from the different 

 colours of the eggs, so decidedly are differences shown in the 

 eggs of such Tinami as I have been able to determine satis- 

 factorily. 



23. TiNAMUs MESERYTHRUS, Sclatcr, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 392. 

 A considerable series of this species shows a great constancy 



in its colouring. One specimen — no doubt a young one — has 

 the chestnut-red of the breast much less strongly shown, and 

 there is an indication of barred markings on the sides and wings. 

 The egg is of a reddish chocolate-brown. 



24. TiNAMUS salLjEI, Bp. Compt. Bend. xlii. p.955 ; Sclater, 

 P. Z. S. 1859, p. 392. 



Chisec. 



25. TiNAMUs BOUCARDi, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1859, p. 391. 



In addition to these four species of Tinamou, Mr. Owen states 

 that there is another belonging to the smaller section of this 

 family. Of this fifth species I hope shortly to obtain spe- 

 cimens. 



Grallje. 



26. NuMENius borealis, Lath. ; Baird, Rep. p. 744. 



A single specimen of this well-known North American bird 

 was sent home last autumn by Mr. R. Owen. It was shot at 

 San Geronimo. 



27. Q^dicnemus bistriatus, Wagl. (E. vocifer, L'Herm. 

 Mag. de Zool. 1837, pi. 84; Owen, Ibis, 1861, p. 68. 



Mr. Owen has given an account of the breeding habits of this 

 bird in this Journal [antea, p. 68). I believe it occurs in most 

 of the plains of moderate elevation, such as that of Salama, and 

 no doubt is the species observed by Mr. Taylor on the plain of 

 Comayagua in Honduras (Ibis, 1860, p. 314). It is a bird 

 easily tamed, and may frequently be seen in the "patios" or 

 courtyards so characteristic of Spanish American houses. 



