This is a southern representative of a small group of Wood-warblers, which is extensively diffused in the New World.
The upper plumage of this small bird is mostly cerulean-blue, the breast and belly yellow. Its Guarani name, according to Azara, is “Pitiayume,” which means little yellow-breast. I have never heard it sing or utter any note beyond a very feeble chirp as it hops about through the foliage in quest of small caterpillars. Its migration extends south to Buenos Ayres, where it is seen in woods and thickets in pairs or singly; but it is a rare bird, and I have been unable to find out anything about its nesting-habits.
[18.] GEOTHLYPIS VELATA (Vieill.).
(VEILED WOOD-SINGER.)
Geothlypis velata, Scl. et Salv. Nomencl. p. 9; White, P. Z. S. 1882, p. 594 (Salta); Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. viii. p. 87 (Concepcion, Entrerios); Sharpe, Cat. B. x. p. 363, pl. ix. fig. 5.
Description.—Above yellowish green; the wing-coverts like the back; wing-feathers dusky brown, edged with olive-yellow; tail-feathers olive-green; crown of head to the occiput blue-grey; from the forehead a black mark extends to the eye and downward to the cheek; throat and under surface bright yellow; bill black; feet pale brown; eye brown: total length 5·6 inches, wing 2·4, tail 2·4. Female similar, but without the black on the face.
Hab. Brazil, Paraguay, and Northern Argentina.
This is again the only species of a North- and Central-American genus which ranges so far south as Buenos Ayres. It visits us in summer, and is found singly or in pairs in woods and large plantations. It feeds both on the ground and in trees, and, while gleaning amongst the leaves, frequently pauses to utter its loud cheerful song, composed of seven or eight clear notes uttered with rapidity and emphasis.