80S MR. W. H. HUDSON ON PYROCEPHALUS RUBINEUS. [NOV. 5, 



This pretty longitudinally rugosely plicately ribbed species be- 

 longs to the same group as B. angasiana, Pfr., B. baconi, Benson, 

 and B. mastersi, Cox, all from the S.W. region of the Australian 

 continent. When I sent Mr. Angas the first specimens, I marked 

 them Sinclair's range, in error, instead of Stirling range. 



3. Notes on the Habits of the Churinche (Pyrocephalus 

 rubineus). By W. H. Hudson, C.M.Z.S. 



[Received August 6, 1872.J 



The Churinche {Pyrocephalus rubineus) is a common species in 

 the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres. Its brilliant plumage and 

 remarkable song make it one of tbe best-known of our summer 

 visitors. But the naturalist will find in tbe peculiarity of its migra- 

 tory habits a far more interesting subject of contemplation. It is 

 commonly called " Churinche" from its note ; also " Feder&l," 

 from its predominating hue being the favourite colour of the political 

 party (now happily extinct) of that name. The Churinche appears 

 about the end of September, and is usually first seen in localities to 

 which the Tyrantbirds and Taeuiopteras are also partial, such as low 

 grassy grounds, with here and there a stalk or bush, and near a 

 wood or plantation. Insects are most abundant in such places ; and 

 here the Churinche is seen, perched on a twig, darting at intervals to 

 snap at the flies after the fashion of the Flycatchers, and frequently 

 uttering his low, plaintive, and mellow note. This bird is very 

 common in the woods along the Plata ; every orchard on the pam- 

 pas is visited by a few of them ; and they are very abundant about 

 Buenos Ayres city. Going south they become rarer ; but, strange to 

 say, a few individuals find their way to the shores of the Rio Negro, 

 though before reaching it they must cross a high, barren country 

 quite unsuited to them. The natives of the Carmen have no name 

 for the Churinche, but speak of it as a bird wonderful for its beauty 

 and seldom seen. Amongst the dull-plumaged Patagonian species 

 it certainly has a very brilliant appearance. 



A very few days after their arrival the Churinches pair ; and the 

 male selects a spot for the nest — a fork in a tree from six to twelve 

 feet from the ground, or sometimes a horizontal bough. This spot 

 the male visits about once a minute, sits on it with his splendid 

 crest elevated, tail spread out, and wings incessantly fluttering, 

 while he pours out a continuous stream of silvery gurgling notes, so 

 low they cau scarcely be heard ten paces off, and somewhat re- 

 sembling the sound of water running from a narrow-necked flask, 

 but infinitely more rapid and musical. Of the little bird's homely, 

 grey, silent mate the observer will scarcely obtain a glimpse, she 

 appearing as yet to take little or no interest in the affairs that so 

 much occupy the attention of her consort, and keep him in a state 

 of such violent excitement. He is exceedingly pugnacious ; so that 



