LEPTOPTILA CASSINI, Lawrence. 



By Mr. G. D. ROWLEY. 



The male bird from which the Plate is taken was shot by Mr. A. Boucard 

 at San Carlos, Costa Rica, February 1877. A curious fact is also stated by 

 by him, namely that he killed it on the nest, which circumstance made him 

 think that it was the female ; but he says that he took care to note the sex 

 when dissecting the specimen, and he is quite sure about it. The female was 

 very close to the spot ; but no shot was obtained. 



Although he killed this bird on the nest, yet the eggs remained 

 uninjured, and were two in number. These have passed into my collection ; 

 and very pretty they are. The long diameter is 1]^ inch, the short 

 diameter f inch, and the shape most elegant ; while the colour is a delicate 

 cream. 



Mr. Boucard informs me that the nest was built on the fork of a small 

 tree, and, being only about five yards from the ground, was reached with 

 facility. It was composed of small pieces of dry wood. 



Mr. Boucard saw several other birds of the same species, but could not 

 obtain more than this specimen. He always observed them in dense forests, 

 on the ground and in pairs, and found them capital to eat. 



San Carlos is a large valley which divides the Republic of Costa Rica 

 from that of Nicaragua, and is quite tropical. The rancho where he was 

 living is at the altitude of 500 feet ; and the valley itself is only inhabited by 



