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



merely flew off, took a circle, and returned. Their stomachs 

 contained insects torn into fragments — I presume, by the cu- 

 rious double hook of the powerful bill. 



94. Chelidoptera tenebrosa (Pall.). 



Several shot at a plantation about ten miles from Para. 

 They frequented the topmost twigs of some mangos and the ends 

 of the palm-fronds, flying off in quest of insects, and return- 

 ing to the same spot on effecting a capture. When I first 

 saw them flying I involuntarily exclaimed " an Artamus ! " 

 so closely did they resemble them in all their actions. Their 

 stomachs contained insects. I subsequently obtained this 

 species at Para. 



95. Urogalba amazonum, Sclater. 



I once saw this species in the forest, and shot at it ; but it 

 escaped wounded. It was in February. 



+-96. Crotophaga ani (L.). 



Found in small flocks about the edges of the forest and in 

 deserted gardens. Unless killed on the spot, they creep away 

 and climb up the bushes so that it is next to impossible to 

 find them. They feed on fruit and insects, especially Grylla, 

 which they swallow whole. A small flock inhabit my garden 

 at Nazare. They mew like a cat, and utter a call just like 

 that of the Curlew, which is so well indicated in their French 

 name " Courtis." In the mornings, early, I see them sitting 

 on the summit of a small mango-tree, each with its wings 

 expanded, and with their backs turned to the sun, to catch 

 all its warmth. When uttering the before-named cry, they 

 depress the head and elevate the tail and wings. 



97. Diplopterus islevius (Gmel.). 



On the 27th of September, 1872, soon after daylight, I 

 shot one of these Cuckoos in the act of drying its plumage on 

 the top of a small bush. It sat with all its feathers ruffled 

 out, wings drooping, and tail expanded. In the stomach were 

 the remains of small grasshoppers. I am told that, when its 

 plumage is damp, it cannot fly at all and is easily captured 

 by the hand. 



