SHORT-WINGED TYRANT 161 



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. 



SHORT-WINGED TYRANT 



Machetornis rixosa 



Above brownish olive ; wings and tail brown, the latter terminated 

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

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

 length 7.2 inches. Young without the scarlet crest. 



THIS species, found in the open districts throughout 

 South America, from Venezuela to Buenos Ayres, 

 where it is quite common, has very interesting habits. 

 It is seven inches and a half long, has a plump body, 

 short wings, and long legs. The upper plumage is 

 light brown, the throat, breast, and belly yellow, 

 and the male has a concealed crest of a bright orange- 

 red colour. 



It resembles the true Tyrants in disposition, in 

 its shrill piercing language, and in the habit of 

 perching and breeding in trees. On the other hand, 

 like the long-legged Myiotheretes, that lives on the 

 open plains, it feeds exclusively on the ground, over 

 which it runs with a speed possessed by few perching 

 species. The general impression one forms is that 

 in manners and appearance the Short-winged Tyrant 

 is quite unlike any other species, though all its habits 



