214 Mr. W. GoodieWow— Ornithological 
469. MONASA PERUANA Bp. 
Two pairs from the Coca. This species was generally seen 
in the open clearings. Bill coral-red. 
470. MoNASA NIGRIFRONS (Splx) . 
Four males and two females from the Coca. The com- 
monest of the Soft-wings on the Napo. Generally found in 
pairs in the forests, sitting silently on the lower branches of 
high trees ; it catches butterflies and other insects on the 
wing. Bill bright coral-red. 
Fam. CucuLiD^. 
-f471. Crotophaga ANi (Linn.). / 
Of this widely distributed bird we procured a good series 
of specimens. They were remarkably abundant in the Cauca 
Valley, and became quite a nuisance to us when we were 
shooting, flying on in front of us in large flocks, alighting 
clumsily on the trees and bushes, and so driving other birds 
away. They must have been nesting in May, for I took a blue 
egg out of one which I was skinning. After Popayan we did 
not see any again until we reached Santo Domingo in Western 
Ecuador, and Archidona near the headwaters of the Napo, 
while they were scarce at both these places. Neither of the 
localities suited their habits. They prefer open grassy country, 
inhabited by herds of cattle and interspersed with tall hedges 
and clumps of trees. They are in constant attendance upon 
the cattle, pecking flies and insects from them. Their flight 
is short, and their mode of alighting very awkward. When 
flying they keep up a continual noise. In Colombia they 
were called " Chamom/-' and in Ecuador " Pico machete.'^ 
-^472. PlAYA MEHLERI Bp. 
We collected a good series of examples of these birds on both 
sides of Ecuador, and found a striking difference between those 
from the eastern and western sides. They undoubtedly ought 
to be divided, but in the Cat. Brit. Mus. they are placed 
together. Those from Eastern Ecuador have the head and back 
much darker, and have a deep purple gloss on the upper side of 
the tail with a blackish-grey tint underneath. The diff'erence 
