3r& 
68 Mr. 0. Salvin on the Nesting of some Guatemalan Birds . 
if on the other hand he made his descent head foremost and 
died from the effects of the fall, I was to marry his widow and 
be a kind father to his children. Thus promising, in the blind¬ 
est compliance, all obstacles were at once removed. 
21. Urubitinga anthracina. “ Gavilan” San Geronimo, 
April 29, 1860. Bird and one egg. 
The egg is white, with an inner surface of sea-green, as in all 
eggs of the Buteonidce. The outer surface is beautifully marked 
with blotches of lilac and spots of three shades of red. It mea¬ 
sures, axis 2*15 in., diam. 1*7 in. 
Taken, at San Geronimo, from a high tree at the foot of the 
mountain-range which bounds the plain. 
22. Asturtna nitida. “ Gavilan” San Geronimo, April 3, 
1860. Three birds and three eggs. 
These eggs are all white, without natural colouring. The 
inner coating of the shell is sea-green. They strengthen the 
close connexion which exists between Asturina and Astur, 
The nest of this Hawk is usually found in the high trees 
which are scattered over the plain, and not unfrequently within 
a few yards of the Indian ranchos. Two eggs seem to be the 
complement laid by one bird. 
23. (Edicnemus bistriatus*. “Alcaraban.V Plain of San 
Geronimo, May 5, 1860. Bird and one egg. 
The egg is precisely like that of CE. crepitans , being of a 
pale ochreous brown spotted all over with several shades of dark 
brown. It measures, axis 2*3 in., diam. 1*45 in. 
I have only been able to obtain one egg of this bird. Their 
nesting-time must have been long past, judging from the size of 
the young birds which may be seen in the plain. The egg was 
stale, but the old birds still frequented the spot where it was 
found. The egg was deposited on the bare ground, the place 
chosen being slightly hollowed out, and at the foot of a straggling 
shrub which afforded a slight shade. 
* This CEdicnemus proves to be CE. bistriatus (Wagl ): CE. vocifer, 
LTIera*. Mag. de Zool. 1837, ph 84 .—Ed. 
