118 



Nuremberg in 1822. Hahn and Kiister's description and figure were taken from an example in 

 the collection of Dr. John Wagler, the well-known naturalist, whose M.S. name, ''■ £ucco 

 torquatus," was adopted for the species. 



In the following year (1823) Lichtenstein published short characters of this Soft-wing under 

 the title JBuccco fuscus, supposing it to be the bird described by previous authors under that 

 name; and in 1824 it was again described and figured by Spix, in his 'Aves Brasilienses,' as 

 Bucco striatus. Thus the unhappy bird had three difierent names assigned to it in three suc- 

 ceeding years, one of these names, moreover, properly appertaining to a different species. In 

 1827 Wagler continued the confusion by accurately describing the present bird and M. fusca as 

 adult and young of the same species. This error prevailed more or less, as I have already stated, 

 until 1852, when Strickland clearly pointed out the characters which separate the two allied 

 species, and became not even quite extinct at that period, as Burmeister. in his 'Thiere 

 Brasiliens,' failed to avoid it. But it is now universally acknowledged that the proper title of 

 this species is Malacoptila torquata^ and that M. fusca is quite distinct. 



In the wood-region of South-eastern Brazil, where alone it is found, the Banded Soft-wing 

 appears to have a tolerably wide distribution. It is common in collections of bird-skins received 

 both from Bahia and from Rio ; and Natterer obtained it at several of his collecting-stations in 

 the more southern province of Sao Paulo. Prince Maximilian of Neuwied, still one of our 

 best authorities on the birds of Brazil, tells us that he considers it one of the commonest forest- 

 birds in Southern Brazil. Near Rio, in the neighbourhood of S. Cristoval, he found it in aU the 

 thick shady woods, even in the immediate vicinity of dwelling-houses. It sits upon a low twig 

 or even upon the ground, and hops about to pick up insects, of which the remains are found in 

 its stomach. The Prince always noticed this bird as being quite silent, and never heard it utter 

 a sound. It is very tame and easy to shoot. 



Dr. Burmeister found this Soft-wing, which, as already mentioned, he erroneously calls 

 " Monasa fusca,'' the commonest of the family in those parts of Brazil which he visited. It 

 comes into the village-gardens, and sits by the road-side without taking the least notice of what 

 is going on around it. The impression made on a stranger by one of these curious birds is 

 rather startling. It is seen at a distance through the thick forest with its white breast shining ; 

 and when one approaches it seems to stare at the traveller with its great open eyes as if it knew 

 not what to do. Stupidity and simplicity are so evidently impressed upon it that the Brazilians 

 naturally call it " Joao doido " (Silly John). Neither Dr. Burmeister nor Prince Maximilian of 

 Neuwied were able to ascertain any thing of its nesting-habits. 



The following is a list of the examples of these birds in my collection and that of Messrs. 

 Salvin and Godman: — 



No. 



Sex. 



Mus. 





Patria. 





Long, tota, 



alse, 



caudse, 



rostri. 



1. 



— 



P. L. S. 





Brazil. 





9-0 



3-8 



3-9 



1-3 



2. 



— 



P.L. S. 





Brazil. 





7-7 



3-7 



3-5 



1-2 



3. 



— 



P. L. S. 





Brazil. 





7-5 



3-8 



3-5 



1-2 



4. 



— 



S.-G. 





Baliia {Wuchet 



er). 



7-8 



3-9 



3-7 



1-2 



5. 



— 



S.-G. 



Novo 



Fribourgo, B. 



{Jouds) . 



7-7 



3-7 



3-7 



]-2 



6. 



— 



S.-G. 



Novo 



Fribourgo, B. 



{Jouds) . 



7-8 



3-9 



3-7 



1-2 



The figure (Plate XXXIX.) and description are taken from No. 1. 



