MACHETORNIS RIXOSA. 131 



The bird ranges over the whole of the Argentine Republic, and, 

 according to Gay, is also common throughout Chili, where it is known 

 as the Colegial (Collegian or learned person), on account of its stiff 

 grave manner, black dress, and spectacled appearance. 



The male is a solitary bird, and feeds chiefly on the ground, running 

 rapidly about in open places like a Muscisaxicola. It is also frequently 

 seen perched conspicuously on the summit of a tall stalk or bush, and 

 occasionally making a dart into the air after passing insects, showing in 

 this habit his relationship with the Tyrant-birds. But he perches on 

 an elevation less to watch for insects than for the purpose of his curious 

 spectacular performance. This highly eccentric habit is strikingly like 

 that of Cnipolegus hudsoni ; and I have no doubt that all the Cnipolegi 

 possess similar habits. Both birds perch on a conspicuous place, 

 upright, motionless, and looking more like grotesque little automata 

 than living things ; they both also leave the perch suddenly, as if shot 

 from it by means of a steel spring. This singularly sudden movement, 

 and the motion of the wings, rapid as in the Humming-bird, or shut 

 and opened alternately and exhibiting the white wing-colour in a series 

 of flashes, seems related to the conspicuous white mark. In both 

 species, also, the wings make a humming sound daring flight. The 

 motions of the Silver-bill are, however, in some respects different from 

 those of the Cnipolegus. Springing from its perch at intervals, it darts 

 vertically to a height of about fifteen yards, then turns a summersault, 

 uttering at the same moment a shrill-sounding little cry, after which it 

 drops down again and alights on its perch suddenly, as if jerked back 

 to it, and there remains stiff, erect, and motionless as before. 



The nest is made of dry grass in a thistle-bush or clump of reeds, and 

 is rather deep and cup-shaped. The eggs are four in number, white, 

 and spotted at the larger end with dark red. 



132, MACHETORNIS RIXOSA (Vieill.). 

 (SHORT-WINGED TYRANT.) 



Machetornis rixosa, Burm. La-Plata Reise, ii. p. 458 (Parana) ; Scl. et Salv. 

 P. Z. S. 1868, p. 142; iid. Nomencl p. 44; Htidson, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 173 

 (Buenos Ayres) ; Durnford, Ibis, 1877, p. 177 (Buenos Ayres);. Salvin, Ibis, 

 1880, p. 357 (Salta) ; Barrows, Bull Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 142 (Entrerios). 

 Description. Above brownish olive ; wings and tail brown, the latter ter- 

 minated by a yellowish band; middle of cap occupied by a scarlet crest; 

 beneath bright yellow, paler on the throat ; bill and feet black : whole length 

 7-2 inches, wing 3-9, tail 3'5. Female similar, but rather duller. Young with- 

 out the scarlet crest, 



K 2 



