98 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. [Feb. 13, 



9. Geositta peruviana, Lafr. Rev. Zool. 1847, p. 75. 



" Frequents plains so dry and dusty that one would think nothing 

 animate could be found in them. Feeds on atomic Coleopterous 

 insects and spiders. I have lately found out its haunt. Irides 

 brownish black." — W. N. 



The first example I have met with of this interesting species, de- 

 scribed by Lafresnaye from examples procured by Delattre near Lima. 



10. Geositta crassirostris, sp. nov. 



" Found on the hills around Lima and by the sea-side. It is a 

 very shy bird, and I know very little about it yet." — W. N. 



I was inclined at first to refer this species to Certhilauda tenui- 

 rostris, D'Orb. (Voy. p. 359, pi. 43. f. 2), although it does not quite 

 agree with D'Orbigny's description ; but having entrusted the spe- 

 cimen to Mr. Salvin to compare with the typical specimens of that 

 species in the Paris Museum, I am enabled, through his kindness, to 

 say that it is quite different. I therefore propose to call it Geositta 

 crassirostris. Its description is as follows : — 



G. -supra obscure nigricans, plumis pallido fusco maryinatis ; su- 



perciliis et capitis lateribus albicantibus : alis obscure nigris, 



remige externo unicolore, secundo et sequentibus plaga magna 



fulvo-rufa, gradatim crescent e et in secundariis basin totam 



utriusqiie pogonii occupante, notatis : remigis septimi et se- 



quentium et secundariorum apicibus fusco-rufis : subtus cine- 



rascenti-alba, gutture puriore, lateribus et crisso fidvo tine t us : 



alarum tectricibus inferioribus Icete rufis : cauda fulvo-rufa, 



fascia lata ante-apica/i nigra; rectricibus duabus mediis dorso 



concoloribus : rostro et pedibus obscure fuscis. 



Long, tota - 5, alae 3-6, caudse 2*1, rostri a rictu lin. dir. T2, 



tarsi 1 poll. Augl. 



Hab. in Peruvise occidentalis regione maritima. 

 Obs. Aff. G. tenuirostri, sed rostro breviore et crassiore et alis 

 brevioribus distinguenda. 



Mr. Salvin remarks that " the bill of this species is much stronger 

 and shorter than in G. tenuirostris, and that in the latter the bill is 

 dark yellowish brown, clear yellow one-third of the base of the under 

 mandible. Also the tarsi and feet of the present bird are much 

 stouter, and the hind claw stronger and more curved. The. whole 

 bird is of a darker brown above than G. tenuirostris; the secondary 

 quills and tail of G. tenuirostris have no subterminal dark baud, or 

 rather only have it faintly shown on the underside of the feather ; 

 the under plumage of G. tenuirostris is more tawny." 



These differences have since been confirmed by examination of 

 two examples of G. tenuirostris in the Brilish Museum. 



11. Phleocryptes melanops (Vieill.). 



" Everywhere near Lima, not a wall, not a ditch, not a heap of 

 rubbish, but one or two of these birds can be seen. A Tartar for 



