Birds. Pl. 11.
Tænioptera variegata.
3. Xolmis variegata. G. R. Gray.
Plate XI.
Pepoaza variegata. D’Orb. & Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837. p. 63. Voy. dans l’Amer. Mèr. Orn. pl. 39. f. 2.
Tænioptera 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. l’Acad. Imp. des Sci. St. Peters. 1831. p. 191. pl. 10. Vögel von Chili, pl. 10. p. 19.
Pepoaza pyrope, D’Orb. & Lafr. Mag. de Zool. 1837. 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 Copiapó. 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.