228 IMi". ^^ • Goodfcllow — Ormthohgical 



of the traveller for a mile or more. They build their nests 

 on the lower branches of acacia-trees, but I saw one in an 

 exposed situation on the spreading top of tlie giant flower- 

 stalk of an aloe. The base of the bill is cream-coloured, but 

 two males shot in the nesting-season had it dull red. Feet 

 flesh-coloured. 



530. Peristera cinerea (Temm.). 



Two males and a female from Santo Domingo. Not com- 

 mon there, and met with in pairs running about the footpaths 

 in the clearing. When disturbed they skulk in the grass 

 until a person is close to them, then rise suddenly with a 

 swift zigzag flight. Beak greyish green, with yellowish tip ; 

 iris red; feet flesh-coloured. 



531. OSCULATIA SAPPHIRINA (Bp.). 



A male from the Rio Suno, Upper Napo, and another in 

 nestling-feathers, not sexed, from the Coca iu June. Shot 

 in the forests. 



532. OscuLATiA PURPUREA (Salvin). 



Near Santo Domingo we shot one of these beautiful and 

 rare Pigeons, and a negro brought me a much-damaged 

 female, with an egg inside ready to belaid, but broken. We 

 often heard the curious loud note, but seldom saw the birds, 

 for they were always in the tops of the highest trees in the 

 dense parts of the forest. I think that this is the most 

 difficult bird to skin which I have ever come across ; its skin 

 is quite as tender as the worst of the Trogons. 



533. Geotrygon bourcieri (Bp.). 



A male shot in the forests below Baeza near the Rio 

 Cosanga. It was the only one we actually saw, but several 

 times the Indians drew our attention to the loud mournful 

 note on our way down through the forests. '' Chiniplaya," 

 the Indians called the birds in the Quichua tongue. 



Fam. C R AC I D iE. 

 534. Penelope ortoni (Salv.). 

 A male and female from Santo Domingo, where they were 



