294 On the Cuckoos of the Genus Neomorphus. 



The male, which is probably younger, differs from the female 

 in the black edges of the throat-feathers not being clearly 

 defined, in the smaller wing-coverts and upper back being more 

 green, the lower back and upper tail-coverts bronzy green, 

 and the tail-feathers showing less of the changeable purple 

 colour. In all other respects they are precisely alike. 



Length (skin) 20 inches ; wing 6| ; tail 10 ; bill from front 

 If, from gape 2^, high at base f, wide at base jf, wide at nos- 

 trils j 9 ^-; tarsus 2\. 



Hab. Pebas, Peru, Upper Amazons. 



Mus. Vassar College, Ploughkeepsie, New York. 



Mr. Hauxwell considered this species to be undescribed, and 

 wrote to Prof. Orton as follows : — " The first of the kind that I 

 have been able to obtain, although I have been trying and re- 

 questing the Indians to bring me some, and have offered them 

 a good price. The Oregones call them ' Sataicu-/ some call 

 them Huangana pisco or Hog-bird, they make a noise similar 

 to the hog when he is excited." Prof. Orton suggests that, 

 " Mr. Hauxwell refers here to the Peccary." 



They would seem to be very rare or difficult to procure. 

 Deville says that on the Yucayali it is called " Vanvana pischo ," 

 that they are in pairs in the large woods, that it is very wild, 

 and its flight very swift. Yaguas Indian name " Monasitan." 



There is no need of comparing this species with any 

 except N. rufipennis ; and to that there is little resemblance 

 except in the reddish brown colour on the wings ; this colour 

 in N. rufipennis is brighter, and occupies but two thirds of 

 the outer web of each of the secondaries, instead of the entire 

 outer web as in N. pucherani ; the throat-feathers of the two 

 species are entirely unlike in shape ; and in the coloration of 

 the neck they are very dissimilar ; in the colours of the bill 

 they are notably unlike ; and the bills also differ in form, that 

 of TV. pucherani being at the base seven eighths of an inch in 

 height, whereas in N. rufipennis it is but five eighths ; yet in 

 length the bills do not vary materially. 



The most salient points of difference in the several species 

 may be stated as follows : — 



1. N. geoffroyi. Bill pale yellow, dusky at base; front 



