195 
Obs. Species Bucconi tecto forsan nimium affinis, et ob crassitiem 
majorem, torquem pectoris latiorem et caudam minus albo maculatam 
non sine dubio constituenda. 
Mr. Gould’s collection contains two examples of this bird, which 
he has entrusted to me for comparison with its Cayenne representa- 
tive. It is not, however, without hesitation that I have determined 
to separate them from it. Besides their larger size and broader 
breast-band, the white medial square spot extends in the present 
species only through the three lateral rectrices, with a slight trace of 
it in the fourth. 
In the Cayenne bird the outer five pairs are all strongly marked 
thus. The whole plumage of the bird is also generally more intensely 
black. 
6. MALACOPTILA NIGRIFUSCA. 
Malacoptila fusca, ex Bogota, Sclater, P. Z.S. 1855, p. 136. 
M. nigricanti-brunnea, plumarum scapis pallide fulvis ; loris et 
plumis mystacalibus cum plaga triangulari super-pectoralt 
albis : ventre medio crissoque fere unicoloribus, albicantioribus ; 
rostri basi lete aurantio, apice nigra; pedibus nigricanti- 
brunneis. 
Long. tota 6°5; alee 3°5; caudee 2°5. 
Hab. In Nova Granada, Santa Fé de Bogota. Mus. Brit. et Joh. 
Gould. 
Obs. Sp. Malacoptile fusce aftinissima sed statura minore et 
coloribus nigricantioribus : rostri basi leetius aurantio. 
This New Grenadian bird, which in my Synopsis of this family and 
List of Bogota birds I united with the true fusca of Cayenne, cer- 
tainly presents considerable claims for specific distinction. The 
body is generally smaller, the bill in particular is shorter and not so 
strong, and at the base is of a deep orange colour instead of pale 
yellow, the black not extending so far towards the base of the upper 
mandibles ; also, the markings on the head, throat and breast are 
much blacker, and I have therefore named the bird nigrifusca. 
There are specimens of it in the British Museum and in Mr. Gould’s 
collection. 
The East Peruvian or High-Amazon examples on the other hand 
(which are held distinct by some naturalists under Du Bus’ title 
inornata) resemble the Cayenne bird much more nearly. After 
remarking that the white lore-spot is nearly obsolete, and the skins 
are rather finer and larger, it is in truth difficult (at least with my 
present examples) to see further differences, and I therefore regard 
M. inornata as a very doubtful species. 
Rio Napo specimens are still more like the true fusca. 
