BKaons 





Plate XLVII. 



CRYPTURUS MESERYTHRUS. 



(RED-BELLIED TINAMOU). 





Tinamus meserythrus 



Tinamus pileatus 



Sclater, P.Z.S. 1859, p. 392. 



Salv. Ibis, 1861, p. 356. 



Scl. et Salv. P.Z.S. 1864, p. 371. 



G-. E. Gray, List of Galling (1867), p. 99. 



Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. vii. p. 334. 



Ex olivaceo rufescens : alarum remigibus nigricantibus : pileo toto nigricante cinereo : subtus saturate ferrugineo- 

 rufus, medialiter clarior, crisso pallide cinnamomeo, hypochondriis et pectore antico obscurioribus, nigricante adumbratis : 

 remigibus subtus pallide schistaceis : rostri maxilla plumbea, mandibula albicante : pedibus clare corylinis : long, tota 

 9*5, alae 5 2, tarsi 1*5, rostri a rictu 1*15. — Foem. mari similis, sed crisso nigro pauliim variegato. 



Hob. In Mexico merid. (Boucard): Guatemala (Salvin): Veragua (Arce): Panama (McLeannan): Chepo (Arce). 



It is somewhat questionable, we admit, whether this Tinamou, — the fourth and last of 

 the family met with north of the Isthmus of Panama, — can be maintained as distinct from the 

 southern Grypturus pileatus, to which it is undoubtedly very closely allied. But we have 

 given a figure of it, taken from the type-specimen now in the collection of Messrs. Salvin and 

 Godman, in order to complete our account of the Central American species of this little known 

 group. Nine specimens of this Tinamou from the various localities indicated in the foregoing 

 list, present but very trifling differences when compared together, except that the younger birds 

 are not so bright below, and the females (so labelled) present some traces of black markings on 

 the crissum. They appear to differ from Brazilian skins of Grypturus pileatus only in the darker 

 chest, darker flanks in contrast to the bright rufous belly, purer white throat and larger tarsi. 



Salvin found this species quite common in the forests of Vera Paz, — the same district as 

 that inhabited by Grypturus boucardi, with which it also agrees in habits and manners. On 

 several occasions its eggs were brought in by the Indians of Choctum, who are very familiar 

 with the bird, and have a distinct name for it. The eggs are oval, alike at both ends, and 

 measure axis 1*7 in., diameter 1*3 in. Their colour is of a uniform rich red chocolate-brown. 



The only Mexican specimens of this Tinamou we have met with are those obtained by 

 M. Boucard at Playa Vicente on the Eio Tesechoacan. It would appear to be more abundant 

 further south, having been obtained by Arce in Veragua, although accidentally omitted from 

 Salvin's list of the birds of that country,* and by McLeannan on the Panama Bailway. On the 

 Isthmus, the latter collector tells us it is very common, being found on the ground in the junoles 

 and eating corn and rice in captivity. 



April, 1868. 



* In Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 129. 



[93] 





