3726 Natural-History Collectors. 



work in the forest. After giving one or two clear metallic clangs, it 

 imitates filing so disagreeably true, as to set one's teeth on-edge, I 

 shot one, but could not secure it for preservation. 



" Amongst others which are worthy of a hurried notice, is a species 

 of which I send two specimens. It is found only in the dense forest, 

 where I have often, when creeping noiselessly along, been startled by 

 a clear voice, asking me abruptly, * Well, what now ? \ — and before 

 one can prepare to reply to the inquiry, it is repeated over and over 

 again several times in quick succesion. This bird is very tame, and 

 not alarmed at the report of a gun. 



" N. Plant." 



Mr. H. W. Bates* — " Santarem, Amazons, April 12, 1852. — I 

 now send you the result of three months' pretty close work at this 

 place and neighbourhood. I sent you a box also with 1095 insects 

 and 152 shells (January 12), valued at ^£30, which I have reason to 

 believe left Para on the 25th of February in the * Windsor,' so it will, 

 I hope, be in hand by this time. The present collection I cannot 

 think a very fine lot, wanting the fine series of Diurnes which I gene- 

 rally send ; but you must recollect it is a ■ winter ' collection, that is, 

 work of the wet season, which has been very severe here, and in no 

 locality are there many Diurnes in the wet season. You will however 

 find some beautiful Erycinidse, and a fine series of Sapphira, which I 

 shall send no more of now. The greater part of these fine specimens 

 are bred, I having hit upon a few broods of larvae and chrysalides : at 

 the present time scarcely one is to be seen, — either butterfly or larva. 

 You will also see many new Coleoptera, but small ; unfortunately the 

 virgin forest is far from here. What I think the best part is the large 

 series of Hymenoptera &c, which I have collected well, being only 

 found readily in the wet season. There are very few of any new spe- 

 cies, so I suppose they will go off well ; also many small species : 

 most are perfect. I have taken four trips already to the banks of a 

 rivulet which flows into Tapajos, Rve miles from here : the forest is 

 glorious, and teems with new and rare things. At present these are 

 unique, and reserved in my private collection, which I do not send 

 this time ; I also have some twenty species of Hesperiae, all unique, 

 and about ten or twelve of other families, one of which is a new Cata- 

 gramma, male and female. I hope to get a few more of these before 

 I leave here, so as to send one box the last thing. In woods the main 



* Communicated by M*. S. Stevens. 



