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



63. Dendroplex picus (Gra.). 



I shot this Creeper (21st September, 1872) on a forest-tree 

 on which was a large ant's nest. When opened its stomach 

 was found full of ants. 



64. Picolaptes layardi, Sclater, sp.nov.* (Plate XIV.) 

 Bill and feet horn-coloured. Iris brown. 



A single example of this bird was shot on the 21st of Au- 

 gust, running up the trunk of a ceiba tree. I think it was 

 feeding on the ants that had constructed huge clay nests on 

 several branches. Its stomach contained the remains of 

 insects. On the 20th of December I saw one on a fence ; he 

 hopped sideways from post to post, sometimes 12 or 18 inches 

 apart. At length he caught a large spider and began ham- 

 mering and beating it on the fence, I suppose to get rid of 

 its long legs, as he swallowed the body when he had effected 

 this. 



65. Thamnophilus major, Vieill. 



Shot on the Quama side of the town by Mr. Englehart. I 

 know nothing of its habits ; and its stomach was empty. 



66. Thamnophilus palliatus, Licht. 



Shot in dense scrub, mewing just like a cat (7th December, 

 1872). Its stomach contained insects. 



67. Thamnophilus amazonicus, Scl. 



Generally found in pairs, creeping about the underwood in 

 the forest, searching for insects and uttering loud cries. They 



* [This apparently new species may be described as follows : — 

 Picolaptes layabdi, sp. nov. 

 Supra terreno-fuscus fere unicolor, capite obscnriore : alis extus et cauda 

 tota cum uropygio runs : subtus cineraceus, striis latis albis, utrinque 

 nigro marginatis omnino aspersus ; gula alba, pura : subalaribus cin- 

 namomeis ; remigum primariorum parte apicali intus obscuriore : 

 rostro corneo, subtus pallidiore, pedibus plumbeis : long, tota 7 "3, 

 aire 3'3, caudae 2-9, rostri a rictu lin. dir. 1-2. 

 Hub. in vicin. urbis Para imp. Brasil. {Layard). 

 Mus. P. L. S. 



Obs. Sp. aff. P. ftiseicapillo, et, sicut hsec, pileo unicolori insignis, sed 

 minor, rostro breviore et debiliore et striis corporis inferi latioribus et magis 

 albis distinguenda. — P. L. S.] 



