2. Nothura minor. Wagl.
Nothura minor, Wagl. Syst. Av. p. sp. 4.
Tinamus minor, Spix, Av. Br. pl. 82.
I procured a specimen of this bird at Bahia Blanca, in northern Patagonia, where it frequented the sand-dunes and the surrounding sterile plains. Its habits appear similar to those of the N. major, but it lies closer and does not so readily take to the wing. It is the smallest of the species mentioned in this work, and its plumage is less distinctly spotted. The egg of this bird is described below. Spix’s specimens were obtained at Tijuco in Brazil. The figure in his work on the Birds of Brazil, differs slightly from mine, in being less marked on the breast.
3. Nothura perdicaria. G. R. Gray.
Crypturus perdicarius, Kittlitz, Vögel von Chili.
This species closely resembles, in its general appearance and habits, the N. major, of which probably it is the analogue on the western side of the Cordillera. It is larger and has a considerably longer beak than the N. major; its breast is not spotted, and its abdomen has a less fulvous tinge. The N. perdicarius runs on the open ground, generally a pair together, in the same unconcealed manner, as its analogue, and does not readily lie close. Flight similar, but on rising it utters a shriller whistle, of a different tone. It does not appear to be so easily caught as the Plata species. It is tolerably abundant in all parts of Chile, as far north as the valley of Guasco; but I was assured, that it has never been seen in the valley of Copiapo, although only seventy miles north of Guasco, and of a similar character. The egg is very glossy and of a peculiar colour, which, according to Werner’s nomenclature, is a palish chocolate red: length in longer axis 2·07 of an inch; shorter axis 1·495 of an inch. The egg of the N. minor is of a similar colour, but a shade paler, and rather smaller; its length being 1·815, and its transverse diameter 1·3 of an inch.
Rhynchotus rufescens. Wagl.
Rhynchotus rufescens, Wagl. Av. Syst.
Tinamus rufescens. Temm. Gall. iii. p. 552.