30 Mr. Ambrose A. Lane — Field-Notes 



be kept easily in confinement^ witli suitable food. I do not 

 remember bearing tlie note of tbis bird. I observed them 

 up to 11,000 feet. 



22. T^NIOPTERA PYROPE (Kittl.) . 



Ttenioptera pyrope, Sclater, B. M. C. xiv. p. 15. 



(Corral, Calle-calle, Valdivia, Maquegua.) 



I did not observe these birds until I went to Arauco, 

 where I saw them about the hills round Coronel, Lota, and 

 Laraquete, and in the interior, thence southward everywhere 

 I went, and on Chiloe. They appeared very plentiful in the 

 province of Valdivia. I should consider them a common 

 resident in all these localities. I have always seen them 

 singly, except when paired. It is generally known as the 

 '' Diucon," probably on account of its resemblance to the 

 Diuca. 



It is very similar in appearance to the birds I got in the 

 Northern Cordilleras, called by the Indians there " Sahui- 

 sahui^^; having the same delicate texture of plumage, and 

 finely-shaped black bill, legs, and feet. It is invariably 

 observed on the topmost twig of a shrub or low tree, and 

 when disturbed will fly a short distance to a similar position. 

 The flight is undulating and buoyant. The call-note, which 

 is constantly uttered, is very similar to that of the Bullfinch, 

 and likewise low and subdued ; it is uttered more frequently 

 on the approach of an intruder or when its nest is threatened. 



It is strictly arboreal in its habits, but occurs both in the 

 forest parts and round cultivated lands and orchards. Its 

 flight is generally accompanied by a peculiar clicking noise, 

 which is, I think, made by a snapping of the beak. One of 

 its most characteristic habits is the capture of insects on 

 the wing ; it flies at them from its perch, to which it usually 

 returns. I never saw one appear to miss the insect it flew 

 at, though this flight is often very remarkable, as it will 

 generally poise itself a moment or two in mid-air and go 

 through some curious gyrations in regaining its perch. In 

 such instances the snapping noise is always heard several 

 times, perhaps, but the bird also makes it in its ordinary 

 flight, when no insects appear adjacent. 



