The Cotingidæ are another characteristic Neotropical family, mostly of splendid plumage, and nearly altogether confined within the limits of the tropics. Two stragglers only, belonging to the more obscure sections of the group, are as yet known to occur within the confines of Argentina, though it is quite probable that others may be found later on, when the northern forests are more completely explored.
[173.] PACHYRHAMPHUS POLYCHROPTERUS (Vieill.).
(WHITE-WINGED BÉCARD.)
Pachyrhamphus polychropterus, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 56; Durnford, Ibis, 1878, p. 61 (Buenos Ayres).
Description.—Above cinereous, upper back blackish; cap shining black; wings black, margins of coverts and secondaries white; tail black, four outer pairs of rectrices tipped with white; beneath cinereous, paler on the middle of the belly; under wing-coverts pale grey; bill and feet blackish: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 3·0, tail 2·6. Female above dull green, below yellowish; wings margined with rufous.
Hab. South Brazil, Paraguay, and N.E. Argentina.
This pretty little bird, the only species of the large South-American family Cotingidæ with which I am acquainted, comes as far south as Buenos Ayres, but is very scarce. It lives in woods, and is a shy, solitary bird with nothing in its flight and general appearance to distinguish it from a Tyrant-bird. When flying, it utters a whistling note.
In January 1887, Durnford met with a pair of this species of Bécard in the riverain wood near Belgrano, and secured the male. They were busy catching flies, making frequent sallies from a willow tree in pursuit of them. Mr. Barrows obtained three specimens of what was probably the same bird at Concepcion in Entrerios, in November 1886 (see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 203).
a. First primary of a male Pachyrhamphus.
b. Second ditto.