BIRDS. 55 



3. Xolmis variegata. G. R. Gray. 



Plate XI. 



Pepoaza variegata. D'Orb. Sf Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837. p. 03. Voy. dans l'Amer. Mer. Orn. pi. 39. f. 2. 

 Tsenioptera variegata. On plate. 



This bird feeds in small flocks, often mingled with the icteri, plovers, and 

 other birds on the ground. Its manner of flight and general appearance never 

 failed to call to my recollection our common fieldfares (Turdus pilaris, Linn.) 

 and I may observe that its plumage (in accordance with these habits) is different 

 from that of the rest of the genus. I opened the stomachs of some specimens 

 killed at Maldonado, and found in them seeds and ants. At Bahia Blanca I saw 

 these birds catching on the wing large stercovorous Coleoptera ; in this respect it 

 follows the habits, although in most others it differs from those of the rest of its 

 tribe. Iris rich brown. 



4. Xolmis pyrope. G. R. Gray. 



Muscicapa pyrope, Kitlitz. Mem. FAcad. Imp. des Sci. St. Peters. 1831. p. 191. pi. 10. Vbgel von Chili, 



pi. 10. p. 19. 

 Pepoaza pyrope, D'Orb. $ Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1 837. p. 63. 



This bird is not uncommon near Port Famine in Tierra del Fuego, and 

 along the whole western coast (at Chiloe specimens were obtained) even as far 

 north as the desert valley of Copiapo. In the thickly wooded countries of Tierra 

 del Fuego and Chiloe, where it is more common than further northward, it 

 generally takes its station on the branch of a tree, on the outskirts of the forest. 

 When thus perched, usually at some height above the ground, it sharply looks out 

 for insects passing by, which it takes on the wing. Iris scarlet. It builds a 

 coarse nest in bushes. Egg perfectly white, pointed oval ; length one inch, 

 breadth -76 of an inch. 



