480 Dr. E. A. Goeldi — Ornithological Results 



and Acara Rivers. Along the river flew charming Swallows 

 (Tachycineta albiventris and Atticora fasciata), while around 

 the buildings flitted Progne tapera. The " Tanguni-para " 

 (Monasa) was indefatigable in producing its strange song in 

 the Genipapo-tree near the windows of the dining-room. 

 Having now had many opportunities of studying this song, I 

 may remark that the " ho-tiu," as described in my " Ornitho- 

 logical Results of a Visit to South Guiana" (' Ibis/ 1897, 

 p. 158), is only the initial prelude. The song then changes 

 into a more energetic " huri-turi, huri-turi" uttered with 

 increasing rapidity, and finishes with a sound like " til-til" 

 frequently repeated, representing the acme of ecstasy. 

 It is evidently the effect of a mutual suggestion, as these 

 mysterious birds are decidedly social, and generally meet in 

 flocks of half-a-dozen or so. 



On the same day I myself shot specimens of TLuphonia 

 violacea, Progne tapera, Volatinia jacarini, Tachyphonus 

 melaleucus, and of a large strong-billed Fringilline bird. 

 Among the flowering shrubs behind the factory I observed 

 Hylocharis sapphirina and another Humming-bird with 

 whitish vent ; in the trees around the buildings were Tanagra 

 episcopus and several kinds of small yellowish and greyish 

 Tyrannids. This most confusing group, which is developed 

 in the Neotropical Avifauna in strange abundance, forms 

 a real " crux " on account of the deceptive similarity of its 

 various forms and the absence of any really striking external 

 characters. We may fairly say that we know almost nothing 

 about this family, which is the New World equivalent for 

 the Old World Muscicapidse, and contains more than 400 

 species, of which at least 112 are found within the Amazonian 

 subregion. 



Both at morning and evening are heard in the river-forests 

 the calls of the " Saracura " (Aramides chiricote) and of two 

 species of Tinamou — Crypturus strigulosus (" Inambu- 

 relogio") and C. pileatus (" Sururina"). My hunters 

 brought me specimens of Selenidera gouldi, Crypturus varie- 

 gatus ("Inambii-saracuira"), Monasa nigra, Ortalis aracuan, 

 and of a young " Arapapa" {Cancroma cochlearia). 



