Catalogue of a Collection of Birds. 329 



SiTBFAM. PLATYRIIYNCIIIXJ]:. 

 247. Mnscivora Mexicana, Scl. No. Tl of Part I. 



" Irides brown ; not abundant, very solitary, often found close 

 to the bank of some mountain stream ; builds a hanging nest, 

 which is always suspended over a brook, and lays two eggs ; 

 has a shrill loud call, much like that of the Great Crested Fly- 

 catcher of the States." 



Mr. Galbraith states that the crest is not shown when the l^ird 

 is at rest, only when fighting with another male, and after 

 being wounded and taken in the hand, when it is beaulifully 

 expanded. 



The nest, which is placed in very secluded spots, is surrounded 

 with a mass of loose straggling material; when first observed 

 he had no suspicion of its being a bird's nest, but discovered 

 it to be so by seeing the bird enter; inside of the loose grass, 

 &c., is a curious hanging structure, about three feet in length, 

 large in the centre and decreasing in size towards each end; the 

 entrance is on the side at the largest diameter, where the nest 

 proper is placed, this is very perfect in form ; the number of 

 eggs invai'iably found was two. As I am not aware that a 

 description of the ^ig^^ has been given, I have thought it best 

 to add one. 



The eggs appear small for the size of the bird ; they measure, 

 axis II in., diameter \^ ; the ground color is of a dull pale red- 

 dish white, marked for half the length with dull reddish brown 

 lighter at the end, wliich gives the apjiearance of a confused 

 broad belt just back of the largest diameter; the smaller end 

 is irregularly spotted and streaked with the same dark color. 



Messrs. McL. and G. kept a young bird for several days, 

 whicli fed freely on bread, &c., and there was a good prospect 

 of raising it, but it was kilted and eaten up by ants. 



248. CyclorhyncItKS Irevirostris, Cab. f ? . 



249. " cinereiceps, Scl. o . 



