47 [ Vol. xxxvili. 
The next stage towards a solution was to question an 
intelligent native hunter as to the habits of these birds, 
with the result that the two species of Crypturus were said 
to sleep on the ground, but ZYinamus to roost in trees! 
This latter habit seemed so foreign to the nature of a bird 
so specialized for terrestrial life that further proof was 
desirable, such proof, however, being soon forthcoming. 
It happened that, late one afternoon, when at some distance 
from the Station, Mr. Beebe was overtaken by a heavy down- 
pour of rain and took shelter in a large hollow tree-trunk. 
There were many interesting things to watch while the storm 
lasted, but the incident which dwarfed all others was the 
appearance of a Tinamus which stepped past with quick 
strides, and half-leaped, half-fluttered awkwardly up to the 
base of a leaning tree, and with widely balanced wings made 
its way forty or fifty feet still higher to a large horizontal 
branch, and, without hesitation, backed close against the 
trunk, squatted, and, facing lengthways of the branch, rested 
on its tarsi which were applied closely to the rough mossy 
bark. 
Mr. Beebe impressed upon the meeting the fact that with 
the abundance of material for research, more workers 
were desirable, and a hearty welcome would be given to all 
naturalists who cared to visit the Station. 
Mr. Cuarztzes Cause communicated the following descrip- 
tion of new forms from South America :— 
Grallaria punensis, sp. nov. 
Adult female. A\lied to G. andicola, but differs in having 
the back, wings, and tail uniform olive-brown, the crown of 
head darker with ferruginous shaft-lines to the feathers, the 
hinder face and sides of neck ferruginous with black fringes 
to some of the feathers, a patch of ferruginous buff on the 
lower throat, and the abdomen darker and more easily 
streaked. “ Iris, bill, and feet brown” (P. O. Simons). 
Total length 155 mm., exposed culmen 20, wing 96, 
tail 42, tarsus 49. 
