on the Birds of Chili. 33 



Except \vlien breeding, these birds keep in troops, and in 

 tliis respect as well as their call-note they are extremely like 

 Tits, for which they might be mistaken by a person only 

 knowing the former and not seeing them close. 



So far as I could see, they are strictly insectivorous. 



They utter a rather loud chattering note and make some 

 other sounds, but none that could properly be called a song. 

 When feeding in company they utter a call-note like that of 

 the Coal -Tit. 



25. Cyanotis AZAR7E (Licht.). 



Cyanotis azarce, Sclater, B. M. C. xiv. p. 110. 



(Hospital.) 



This species is fairly numerous throughout Central Chili, 

 though confined to suitable localities. In the south it is 

 scarcer, occurring more as a summer migrant, though it is 

 resident near Coronel. At Valdivia it comes every summer 

 to the reed-beds by the river, but further south it is scarce. 

 It occurs sparingly in Chiloe, according to the German 

 observers, but on the mainland I did not see any near the 

 Laguna de Llanquehui. I once saw one in some reeds by 

 the Rio Pilmaiguen in February, but could not get a shot at 

 it ; it made no noise, and appeared to be a solitary wanderer. 

 It is known as the " Siete-colores " (seven colours) in all the 

 districts which it frequents regularly. 



I only observed the birds in reeds, and I think they roost 

 in them at night. The nest is placed on a single reed about 

 18 inches or 2 feet above the water. I believe three or four 

 eggs are laid. In places where these birds are plentiful they 

 make a good deal of chattering, the usual note being a 

 metallic clicking or very sharp chirping ; I should be inclined 

 to compare it to tapping the point of a knife on a plate. 



26. Elainea albiceps (d'Orb. et Lafr.). 



Elainea albiceps, Sclater, B. M. C. xiv. p. 141 ; id. P. Z. S. 



1891, p. 134. 



(Pica, Corral, Hacienda Mansel, and Rio Bueno.) 



This little bird appears to have a wide range, but to be a 



migratory species. It is, I think, entirely arboreal, but is 



SER. VII. VOL. III. D 



