BIRDS. 45 



of the plumage, deep brown ; the outer tail-feathers on each side, and the 

 edges of the secondaries and wing-coverts, margined with grey. 



Habitat, La Plata, (October.) 



This species differs from Pyr. coronatus or Musicapa coronata, of authors, 

 chiefly in its size ; in other respects it is very similar. The admeasurements of 

 the latter, for comparison (as given me by Mr. G. R. Gray), are : total length, 

 5 inches and 8 lines ; bill, between 9 and 10 lines ; wings, 3 inches and 2 lines ; 

 tail, 2 inches and 7 lines ; tarsi, 7 or 8 lines. 



During the summer, this bird was common both near Buenos Ayres and 

 Maldonado ; but at the latter place, I did not see one in the months of May, 

 June, July, (winter) and therefore, no doubt it is a bird of passage, migrating 

 southward during the summer from Brazil. The birds of this and the allied 

 genera, correspond very closely in their habits to certain of the Sylviadse of 

 Europe ; some of the species frequenting bushes, like the black-cap, (Sylvia atri- 

 capilla) ; others more usually the ground, as the robin (Sylvia rubecula) or hedge- 

 sparrow (Accentor modularis). Another group (Synallaxis, fyc.) represent those 

 European Sylvia:, which frequent reeds. 



2. Pyrocephalus obscurus. Gould. 

 P. lividus rufotinctus ; pracipue in fronte ventreque. 



Long. tot. 5-^ unc. ; alee, 3^- ; caudw, 2-^ ; tarsi, -^ ; rost. T ^-. 



All the plumage chocolate-brown, tinged with red, the latter colour predominating 

 on the forehead and lower part of the abdomen ; bill and tarsi, black. 

 A single specimen was obtained, and it would appear to be either an imma- 

 ture bird or a female. 



Habitat, Lima, Peru. (August.) 



3. Pyrocephalus nanus. Gould. 



Plate VII. 

 P.fuscus; rectricum exteriorum marginibus omniumque et secundariorum apicibus 



nitide griseo-brunneis. 

 Femina, brunnea ; gutture griseo-albo ; corpore subtus pallide fiavescente ; pectoris 



laterumque plumis in medio brunneo-striatis. 

 Long. tot. 4-^ unc; alw, 2 T 2 ¥ ; caudw, 2^; tarsi, -^; rostri, -fy. 



Male. 

 Crown of the head, crest, and all the under surface, scarlet; back, wings, and 



