Mr. E. L. Layard on Birds observed at Para. 389 



the flowers of the ingha (23rd September, 1872), also several 

 in my own garden- (13th November, 1872). About the com- 

 monest Humming-bird we have when the ingha is in flower. 

 -^-80. Panyptila caybnnensis (Gm.). 



This lovely Swift, the only one I have seen, dashed into 

 my dining-room and was captured on the 19th of September, 

 1872. 



1st December, 1872. Several Swifts seen this day flying- 

 very high above the common Spring-tail (C poliura). I 

 think, from their shape, they must belong to this species. 



**" 81. Ckletura poliura (Temm.). 



From the 16th of June to the 3rd of September I contin- 

 ually saw small parties of these birds high up in the air, but 

 never by any chance within gunshot. On the 3rd of Sep- 

 tember they suddenly became more plentiful, and descended 

 to earth ; since that date they fly low, and I see them every- 

 where. Their best times are early morning and late in the 



"evening, when they make successful raids on the swarms of 

 flying ants which then emerge from their nests. 



*-*- 82. ChjEtura spinicauda (Temm.). 

 Common throughout the year. 



-f-83. Nyctibius jamaicensis (Gm.). 



I captured this species at sea off Maranham, but saw many 

 flying about Para during June, July, and part of August ; then 

 they disappeared. They generally fly in parties, keeping wide 

 apart, each on his line, and hawk after insects. Their flight, 

 when high in the air, is just like that of a Gull ; when they 

 descend it is like that of Caprimulgus. 

 84. Nyctidromus albicollis (Gm.). 

 Shot on the evening of the 29th November, 1872, sitting 

 under a mango-tree in the road. Watched it for some time 

 flying up at beetles, of which it had several entire in its sto- 

 mach, which chiefly contained stinking plant-bugs. This bird 

 had a chigo embedded in its leg — not the first instance I have 

 met with where this parasite had established itself on birds. 

 A Thamnophilus which I shot had about a dozen on its thighs, 

 and must have suffered greatly. 



