156 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



when the bird flies* There is also a small white spot 

 on the flank, scarcely visible, and excepting for this 

 speck the bird at rest appears entirely black. When 

 it flies the white band appears suddenly, producing 

 a curious effect, for the wings are opened and shut 

 successively and with great rapidity, making the 

 white band appear like a succession of flashes. All 

 the movements of the bird are eccentric to a degree, 

 It selects a dead twig on the summit of a bush, and 

 this perch it occupies during many hours every day. 

 Occasionally it darts after a passing insect, but I 

 believe it feeds principally on the ground, like 

 Lichenops perspicillatus. At intervals it quits its perch 

 very suddenly and revolves round it with the rapidity 

 of a moth whirling round the flame of a candle, the 

 wings producing a loud humming sound, and the 

 bird uttering a series of sharp clicking notes. During 

 this performance the white wing-band appears like 

 a pale mist surrounding the bird. This fantastical 

 dance over, it resumes its perch, and, until moved 

 to a second display, sits as motionless as a bird 

 carved out of jet. 



Three more species of this curious genus have 

 been found in Argentina, but unfortunately their 

 discoverers have told us nothing of their habits. 



