214 Mr. W. Goo(\M\oM'—OrnithoIo(/ical 



469. MoXASA PERUANA Bp. 



Two pairs from the Coca. This species was generally seen 

 in the open clearings. Bill coral-red. 



470. MONASA NIGRIFRONS (Spix). 



Four males and two females from the Coca. The com- 

 monest of the Soft-wings on the Napo. Generally found in 

 pairs in the forests, sitting silently on the lower branches of 

 high trees ; it catches butterflies and other insects on the 

 wing. Bill bright coral-red. 



Fam. CucuLiD^. 



471. Crotophaga ani (Linn.). 



Of this widely distributed bird we procured a good series 

 of specimens. They were remarkably abundant in the Cauca 

 Valley, and became quite a nuisance to us when we were 

 shooting, flying on in front of us in large flocks, alighting 

 clumsily on the trees and bushes, and so driving other birds 

 away. They must have been nesting in May, for I took a blue 

 egg out of one which I was skinning. After Popayjin we did 

 not see any again until we reached Santo Domingo in Western 

 Ecuador, and Archidona near the headwaters of the Napo, 

 while they were scarce at both these places. Neither of the 

 localities suited their habits. They prefer open grassy country, 

 inhabited by herds of cattle and interspersed with tall hedges 

 and clumps of trees. They are in constant attendance upon 

 the cattle, pecking flies and insects from them. Their flight 

 is short, and their mode of alighting very awkward. When 

 flying they keep up a continual noise. In Colombia they 

 were called " Cliamom,^'' and in Ecuador " Pico machete." 



472. PlAYA MEHLERI Bp. 



We collected a good series of examples of these birds on both 

 sides of Ecuador, and found a striking difference between those 

 from the eastern and western sides. They undoubtedly ought 

 to be divided, but in the Cat. Brit. Mus. they are placed 

 together. Those from Eastern Ecuador have the head and back 

 much darker, and have a deep purple gloss on the upper side of 

 the tail with a blackish-grey tint underneath. The diff'erence 



