H a b . V ene zue la a n d B ritish G u ia n a {R o ra im a l, S o u th e rn Bra z il a n d th e C e n tr a l A rg e n tin e R ep ublic
to Mendoza.
This pretty little SwaUow has all the outward appearance of a Sand-AIartin {Cotile), hut
its structure proves that it is a member of the genus Atticora, though it differs considerably
iu its style of plumage from all the other species of the genus.
A'ery little is known respecting its distrihution and habits. Its occurrence in
V'enezuela rests on a specimen said by Professor Reinhardt to exist in the museum at
Copenhagen; hut none of the well-known collectors in that country, Goering, Spence, &c.,
appear to have met with it, and the loaility needs some confirmation. Jlr. Ilenry
AVhitely obtained several specimens on Roraima in January, and it is possible that tlie
species winters in this quarter, as the birds collected by him are all in more perfect
plumage than others from more southern localities, and have distinct whitish edgings to
the greater coverts and secondaries.
Throughout the whole of the Amazon valley and the greater part of Brazil we have
absolutely no record of the species, and we do not know even wdiether it passes over
these countries on migration. That the species is migratory to a certain extent we
gather from a remark of the late Mr. E, AV. AVhite, who speaks of it as increasing in
numbers near Cosquin in the province of Cordova in August. A specimen shot hy him
on the 29th of September shows traces of having bred in the neighbourhood, as the
rufous edges to the feathers of the crown arc abraded, so that tlie bird appears to have a
cap of sooty bronm. The same may he said of a specimen collected hy Air. Leybold on
the Pampas of the Argentine Republic, and Air. AVeissliaupt in Alendoza iu Eebruary.
Not only is the rufous colour entirely gone from the crown, hut the throat and breast
are also much less rufous than in others from more northern localities.
A summary of the dates when the species has been observed in Southern Brazil and
the adjoining countries gives the following result:—
Alendoza (Weisshaiipt), Eebruary. Cosquin in Cordova { IVhite), July to September.
Taquara [Ihering), November. Campos of San Paulo and Alinas Geraes : Byen Ei-anca
and Paracutu {Lund), September; Lagoa Santa {Lund), Alarch. Casa Piutada (Natterer),
January; Ytarai-e {Natterer), Eebruary; Ypancma {Natterer), July.
It Avould appear, therefore, that tbe species occurs iu the south in every month
from July to Alarch, and the only months in which it is absent are April, Alay, and
June. Swallows are, however, so uncertain iu their times of migration that it is quite
possible that many of the present species reach their winter home in Southern Guiaua by
January, while some may not migi'ate at all. If, however, later investigations prove
that no migration takes place northward across the Amazon valley, it may turn out that
the Rox’aima bird is spccitically distinct.
So far as we cau discover, nothing has been published regarding the habits of this
species.
The description lias been taken from a specimen in the British Museum, and the
iigure has been drawn from one in the same collection, formerly in that of Alcssrs. Salvin
aud Godman.
A P P E NDI X
G E N U S A T T I C O R A .
A T T I C O R A F A S C I A T A [a«feà. p. 495J.
Add
Atticora fasciata, Shai-pe & Al'yatt. Alonogr. Hirund. pt. xii. (1889).
Eor the geographical distribution of this species, vide supra, Plate 83 [Alap].
' I' ■ I'
A T T I C O R A C I N E R E A [anteà. p. m \ ill
Add
Atticora cinerea, Sharpe & Wyatt, Alonogr. Hirand. pt. xv. (1892).
Eor the geographical distrihution of this species, vide suprà, Plate 82 [Alap].
A T T I C O R A T I B I A L I S [anted, p. rm ].
Add
Atticora tibialis, Sharpe & AVyatt, Alonogr. Hirund. pt. x. (1889).
Eor the geographical distrihution of this species, vide suprd, Plate 81 [Alap].
A T T I C O R A M E L A N O L E U C A [anted, p. oOZ].
Add
Atticora melanoleuca, Sharpe & AVyatt, Alonogr. Hirund. pt. viii. (1888).
Eor the geograjihieal distrihution of this species, vide suprd, Plate 84 [Alap].