492 



Dr. Vj. a. Gocldi on the Nesthiy of 



false idea concerning the architectural habits of the bird, and 

 might cause erroneous conclusions about its real systematic 

 position. Euler had evidently, by incautious digging, de- 

 stroyed the nest, or fell into error from some other cause. 

 I told him recently of the mistake he had made, and soon 

 convinced him, by my better materials, that I was right. 



On the 2nd September, 1892, 1 was informed that a "Presi- 

 dente da porcaria^' frequently entered a hole situated on 

 a declivity some 30 m. distant from a brook. On visiting 

 the place I found that the hole, not more than 30 cm. 

 above the ground, formed the entrance to a more or 

 less horizontal gallery. Having first ascertained approxi- 

 mately the direction and length of this gallery, I resolved, 

 with all precautions, to dig out the nest. The accompanying 



Fie 



Section of nesting-chamber of Lochniias ncmatura. 



figure (fig. 2), showing a section through the ground, gives, 

 better than words, an adequate idea of the disposition. As 

 I had expected, the gallery ended in a spacious cavity. 



