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Plate XLVI. 



CRYPTURUS BOUCARD! 



(BOUCARD'S TINAMOU). 



Tinamus boucardi 



Tinamus 



Sclater, P.Z.S. 1859, p. 391. 



Salvin, Ibis, 1861, p. 356. 



a. E. dray, List of Galling (1867), p. 100. 



Salv. Ibis, 1861, p. 356 (err.). 



Obscure cinereus ; dorso toto et alis extus brunneis, bis nigro minutissime vermiculatis : remigibus alarum fusco- 

 nigris fiisco paululuui variegatis : subtus dilutior, gula sordide alba, ventre fulvescenti-brunneo lavato : crisso et 

 tectricibus subcaudalibus nigro variegatis : rostri maxilla plumbea mandibula albida, pedibus clare corylino-flavis : long, 

 tota 10'0, ala? 6*5, tarsi 20, rostri a rictu lS.— Foem. Mari similis, sed dorso imo, tectricibus caudse superioribus, et 

 secundariis extiis cum tectricibus alarum nigro et fulvo distincte transfasciatis. 



Hab. In Mexico meridionali (Boucard) : Yera Pace, Guatemala (Salvin). 



In form, size, and general appearance, Boucard' s Tinamou presents a close resemblance 

 to the bird which bears the name of M. Salle, who along with M. Boucard has done so much 

 to advance our knowledge of Mexican Ornithology. But in every stage of plumage the present 

 species may be recognized by the uniform dark slaty colour of the chest and neck below, which 

 bear no traces of transverse markings. 



Boucard's Tinamou seems to be rather more restricted in its range than its allied 

 species. It was first discovered in the mountains of Oaxaca by the well-known collector 

 whose name it bears, and described in Sclater s article upon M. Boucard's collection in the 

 Zoological Society's "Proceedings" for 1859. In Guatemala Salvin found this bird common 

 in the forest-district of Northern Vera Paz. It is known to the Indians of Coban by the name 

 of the " Baa-look" derived from its peculiar call, which is prolonged into a sort of melancholy 

 wail. Like the rest of its congeners in Central America, although of strictly terrestrial habits, it 

 is only met with in the dense forests. Numerous specimens were procured in the vicinity of 

 Choctum and other adjoining villages of Vera Paz, and afforded a material contribution to the 

 scanty supply of fresh meat obtainable in those districts. In Western Guatemala this Tinamou 

 appears to be quite unknown, its place being taken in the forests of the Pacific slope by the 

 allied Crypturus sallm. 



As shewn by our figures of this and the preceding species, a not inconsiderable diversity in 

 the markings of the plumage is exhibited upon comparison of a series of individuals. This most 



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