CRYPTl'RrS. 15 



Price). "In colour they are deep chocolate, ^va^heJ \vith pinkish 

 violet" {C.A. Lloijd). ^ 



'" It is asserted that this bird occasionally lays two eggs, but as 

 ^ve have never met \\\t\\ an instance^ most likely the eggs of 

 another Small Maani have been mistaken for it'^ (C -1. LIdi/iI, 

 Timehri (2) xi. p. 2). 



Range in British Guiana. Mount Roraima, Ituribisi Ivi\er, 

 Snpenaam River, Bartica, Kamakabra River, Bonasika River, 

 Makauiia River, Abary River, Mazaruni River, Kamuni ]{iver. 

 Great Falls, Demerai-a River, Aurora Creek, Tiger Creek 

 (Mc Cornell collection); Takutu River, Mount Roraima, Merume 

 Mountains, Kamakusa, Bartica [Whitely); Up})er Berbico River 

 {QuelcJt); Aremu River {Beehe). 



Ji.ctmlimital liange. Venezuela, North Brazil. 



Habits. Schombui-gk (Reis. Guan, iii. p. 718) says that this 

 bird is found throuohout British Guiana. It lives on the ground 

 and he supposes that it roosts in trees, but is not certain. It ne^ts 

 on the ground in a hollow scratched by itself. The brooding bird 

 sits very close on the egg and does not leave it on the approach of 

 a human being. During the day one often hears its wailing 

 whistling call sounding through the woods. The "Arekunas " and 

 " Macusis " call it Woreiica. 



Regarding this bird, Mr. C. A. Lloyd (Timehri (2) xi. p. 2, 

 18'J7j writes: — "Another of the Tinamous, the ' Mamoo Swagger ' 

 of the ' Bovianders,' Cr^jfturus variegatus, makes no attempt at 

 a nest at all but deposits its single egg on the ground at random. 

 This bird seems to have no particular breeding-season, as its eggs 

 can be obtained througliout the year. In colour they arc deep 

 chocolate, washed with pinkish violet, and are so curious that 

 when once seen they cannot easily be forgotten. Unlike its 

 larger congener which roosts on trees, the Mamoo Swagger ])ass< s 

 the night on the ground, and is never seen to perch, in fact its 

 small weak feet preclude its being able to do so. It is assertccl 

 tliat this bird occasionally lays two eggs, but as we have iu'vcr 

 met with an instance, most likely the eggs of another small .Maam 

 have been mistaken for it." 



Mr. i). d. Qurlch, writing from the Tli»[)er Berime iiixcr 

 (Timehri (2) iv. p. 32f», 181)0), remarks that several of the 

 "Small Maam '' were obtainecl, whose flesh atlurded a welcume 

 relief I'runi the tiimed meats. 



