1874.] MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN ON PERUVIAN BIRDS. 6/9 



21. Synallaxis albicapilla, Cab. J. f. O. 1873, p. 319 ; Tacz. 

 antea, p. 527. 



We have compared Mr. Whitely's skin of this species with the 

 typical specimen. 



25. Psittacula andicola, Finsch, P. Z. S. 1874, p. 90. 



A second example of this interesting species, obtained, like the 

 former, at Paucartambo. 



On reexamination we find that Sclater's collection contains a skin 

 of this little Parrot, received from M. Taczanowski as a duplicate of 

 Bolborhynchus orbignesius. It was obtained by Jelski at Punamarca, 

 Pern, in 1872. 



29. Penelope sclateri, G. R. Gray. 



Further examples of this species, already collected at Huasampilla 

 by Mr. Whitely (P. Z. S. 1873, p. 780), and at Chilpes, Central Peru, 

 by Jelski {antea, p. 558). In our 'Nomenclator' we unfortunately 

 allowed Mr. Gray's name to be superseded by rufiventris of Tschudi, 

 believing at the moment that Tschudi's Penelope rufiventris was a 

 synonym. But Salvin has recently examined a typical specimen of 

 Tschudi's bird, aud has decided that our former reference of this 

 doubtful species* was correct. See his remarks Ibis, 1874, p. 318. 



31. Merganetta leucogenys (Tsch.). 



Specimens in Mr. Whitely's present collection rather resemble 

 this form than Merganetta turneri, nobis (Ex. Orn. pi. 100) ; and we 

 are not quite satisfied that the two species are really distinct. Mr. 

 Whitely sends the following notice of the habits of this peculiar 

 Duck. 



This bird is found in almost all the rivers and small mountain- 

 streams of the Upper Andes. It is a beautiful sight to come across 

 a pair of them swimming about amongst the immense boulders in 

 one of these mountain-torrents. It dives with great rapidity equally 

 well up stream, against a strong current, as down stream. It climbs 

 up large stones that, with the action of the water constantly passing 

 over them, have become smooth as glass, and seems to be greatly 

 aided in this by the stiff feathers in the tail. 



I think the spikes on the wings are meant to assist the bird in 

 diving rapidly, as I know of no enemy it has that would make them 

 a formidable weapon to be used in attack or defence. Its food con- 

 sists of grasses and sedges ; and the flesh is said to be a great delicacy, 

 though personally I have never made the trial. The males are much 

 more plentiful than the females. I have not been able to find their 

 breeding-ground, but should suspect it would be in some of the small 

 caverns near the mountain-torrents. 



32. Nothoprocta taczanowskit, sp. liov. (Plate LXXXIV.) 

 Supra fusca, plumis nigro late transfasciatis et pallido cervino 



utrinque marginatis : subtus omnino dilutior, pectore cinereo 

 * P.Z.S. 1870, p. 531. 



