374 Mr. E. L. Layard on Birds observed at Para. 



XLIV. — Notes on Birds observed at Para. By E. L. Layard, 

 Esq., H.B.M. Consul. — With Descriptions of two new 

 Species. By P. L. Sclater. 



(Plates XIV. & XV.) 



The collection on which these notes are founded was got to- 

 gether chiefly in my early morning walks, from sunrise to 9 

 o'clock or a little later. It was commenced at the end of 

 June 1872, and therefore only includes such- birds as I could 

 get during the dry season ; this terminates in December. 

 Last year our rains began about the 15th January, and up to 

 the date on which I write (January 28th) have been pretty 

 continuous. Some fine days have certainly intervened ; and 

 then the temperature has been lovely, and the early mornings 

 in the forest inexpressibly delightful. Now, however, the 

 early mornings break with the sun behind clouds, and the 

 forest is wet and heavy with mist, while underfoot it is mire 

 up to one's ancles. Of course in case of the least brush through 

 the bushes in search of a wounded bird, you are drenched 

 from head to foot. 



Mr. Hayes, an American gentleman, who, though not a 

 naturalist, is very observant of the ways of birds &c, told me 

 that all the large fruit-eating birds, Parrots, Toucans, &c, 

 come up from the southward at the end of December, or be- 

 ginning of January, fleeing before the rainy season, and 

 return in a similar manner from the north about June, 

 when the dry season sets in. This I have found to be the 

 case, as I daily see flocks of Parrots pass high overhead, my 

 attention being directed to them by their shrill cries. Tou- 

 cans, except the two small Ara9aris sent, I have not yet seen. 

 These the natives do not call "Toucans," but "Aracari/' 

 confining the former appellation to those species with the 

 large bills. 



I fancy this (January) must be the spring of the year, as 

 all the trees are getting their new bright-green foliage, and I 

 see very many birds are breeding, though such a thing as 

 finding a nest is next to impossible. 



With few exceptions very little can be learnt of the habits 



