On some South-American Birds. 273 



even more splashed and striated ; their tails were quite 

 short, like those of young Blue Wrens (Maliirus) when first 

 fledged, but tliey could fly for a few yards very fairly. 



The adult male is a darker and handsomer bird than the 

 female ; the striations are more distinct ; and I have noticed 

 as a little trait that it sings desperately when we are ap- 

 proaching its nest or young too closely, hoping, no doubt, 

 to draw attention to itself and away from the home or the 

 concealed offspring. 



Appended are measurements of the two typical nests 

 described above : — 



(1) ^lassive and domed. Total length, upper side 

 6h inches, lower side 6 in. ; height at front 44 in. ; 

 lieight at back 3 in.; height of entrance-aperture 

 2^ in., across entrance-aperture 2 in. ; length of 

 egg-cavity, front to back, 2^ in. 



(2) Smaller, like a deep cup much tilted. Outside mea- 

 surements : front to back 3| inches, top to bottom 

 4^ in. Inside measurement : entrance to back 3 in. 



The great depth from the top to the bottom is due to the 

 quantity of moss and other materials placed at the base. 



XII. — Notes on some South- American Birds. 

 By Claude H. B. Grant, M.B.O.U. 



(Text-figures 4 & 5.) 



Since the publication of my paper in ' The Ibis ' for 1911, 

 I have had a further opportunity of examining more care- 

 fully the series of skins and eggs of some of the species 

 mentioned in that communication. These notes will help to 

 elucidate some of what have hitherto appeared to be rather 

 complicated questions. 



I have pleasure in again thanking Mr. Ogilvie-Grant 

 for so kindly assisting me in the National Collection, 

 Mr. Ernest Gibson for allowing me to examine specimens 



