winter. Several specimens were procured by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Smith at Chapada,
in the province of Matto Grosso, in September and October. The specimens from this
expedition in the Salvin-Godman collection are three in number, and they are quite
pale, but show tbe spots on tbe breast very plainly. All tbe brown pectoral spots are
edged with hoary white like tbe rest of tbe under surface, and we believe that it is by
the wearing off of these pale edges that tbe spots are developed in the brecding-plumage.
Tbe late Mr. W. A. Forbes met with the species near Pernambuco during bis stay
there from July to September. Several specimens collected by Wucberer and other
naturalists near Bahia are in the Museum collection, and the late Prince Neuwied found
the species on tbe Campos Geraes in the interior of the province of Bahia.
In Amazonia tbe species was procured by Mr. Wallace on the llio Tocantins. We
have already referred to its occurrence on tbo Rio Negro, as reported by Natterer, who
found it common on the right bank iu December. Mr. Henry Whitely procured a large
series at Yquitos on tbe Upper Amazons iu June, July, aud August. Scarcely any of
these specimens show a trace of tbe pectoral spots, and a good many have whitish edges to
the feathers of tbe upper surface. Mr. E. Bartlett found it at Xeberos and on tbe Upper
aud Lower Ucayali, where, be states, “ it is common, and breeds in large numbers in all
the country visited.” Three specimens from the Upper Ucayali, now in tbe British
Museum, were procured in May, August, and September respectively. Mr. Stolzmann
found this Martin very common at Tumbez, and nesting ; it was not observed south of
this place.
In the Salvin-Godman collection are two specimens from tbe Santa Rita mountains
in Ecuador, received from Mr, Villagomez, and the Sclater collection contains examples
from Bogotb. In tbe Magdalena Valley Mr. Wyatt found this species ascending tbe
Cordillera to some 4000 or 5000 feet; they were nesting at tbe end of January. Mr. A.
Goering procured an example at Puerto Cabcllo, in Venezuela, in June.
In tbe Sclater collection is a specimen from British Guiaua, obtained on tbe Corentyn
River by Mr. im Thurn.
The record of localities does not explain where is tbe winter home of all tbe individuals
which breed in Southern Brazil and tbe Argentine Republic.
Mr. W. II. Hudson gives a very interesting notice of tbe species iu ‘ Argentine
Ornithology —
“ Tho Tree-Martin is a very gaiTulous bird, and no sooner arrives, early in September,
tlian we are apprised of the cb’cumstance by the notes which tbe male and female
incessantly sing in concert, fluttering and waving tlieir wings the wdiile, and seeming
quite beside themselves with joy at their safe arrival; for invariably they arrive already
mated. Their language is more varied, tbe intonation bolder and freer than that of our
other Swallows. Tbe length of the notes can be varied at pleasure; some aro almost
harsh, others silvery or liquid, as of trickling drops of water; they all have a glad
sound; aud many have tliat peculiar character of some bird-notcs of shaping themselves
into words.
b
“ This Martin is never seen to alight on tbe ground or on the roofs of houses, but
solely on trees ; and u lien engaged in collecting materials for its nest, it sweeps down
and snatches up a feather or straw without touching tbe surface. It breeds only in the
clay-oveus of the Oven-bird {Furnarius Tnifus). I, at least, have never seen them breed
in any other situation after observing them for a great many summers. Au extraordinary
habit! for, many as are tbe species that possess tbe parasitical tendency of breeding in
other birds’ nests, none of them conflne themselves to the nest of a single species excepting
tbe bird I am describing. It must, however, be understood that my knowledge of
this bird has been acquired in Buenos Ayres, where I have observed i t ; and as tliis
Martin possesses a wider range in South Amcx-ica than tbe Oven-bii*ds, it is more than
probable that in other districts it builds in different situations.
“ On arriving in spring each pair takes up its position on some tree, and usually on
a particular branch; a dead branch extending beyond the foliage is a favourite perch.
Here they spend much of their time, never appearing to remain long absent from it, and
often, when singing their notes together, fluttering about it with a tremulous uncertain
flight, like that of a bovei-ing butterfly. About three weeks after first aiTiving they
begin to make advances towards tbe Oven-bird’s nest that stands on the nearest post or
tree ; and if it be still occupied by the rightful owuei-s, after much time has been spent
in sporting about and i*econnoitring it, a feud begins which is often exceedingly violent
aud protracted for many days.
“ In seasons favourable to them tbe Oven-birds build in autumn and winter, and
breed early in spring ; so that their broods are out of their clay-bouses by tbe end of
October or earlier; when this happens, tbe Swallow that breeds in November quietly
takes possession of tbe forsaken fortress. But accidents will happen, even to the
wonderful fabi*ic of tbe Oven-bird. It is sometimes destroyed aud must be I’cbuilt; or
its completion has perhaps been retarded for months by drought, or by tbe poor condition
of tbo birds in severe weather; or the first brood has perhaps perished, destroyed by
an opossum or other enemy. November, and even December, may thus ai'rive befoi-e
some pairs have batched their e g g s a n d it is these unfortunate late breeders that suffer
from tbe violence of the marauding Swallows. I have often witnessed tbe wars of these
birds with tbe deepest interest; and in many ovens that I have opened I have found the
eggs of tbe Oven-birds buried under tbe nests of tbe Swallows. After tbo Swallows
have taken up a position near tbe coveted oven, they occasionally fly towards and hover
about it, returning again to their stand. By-and-by, instead of returning as at first, they
take to alighting at tbe entrance of tbe coveted home; this is a sort of declaration of
war, and marks tbe beginning of hostilities. The Oven-birds, full of alarm aud anger,
rush upon and repel them as often as they approach; they retire before this furious
onset, but not discomfited, aud only warbliug out their gay, seemingly derisive, notes in
answer to tbe outrageous indignant screams of their enemies. Soon they retui’n ; the
scene is i-cpcated ; and this desultory skii-misbing is often continued for many days.
“ But at length tbe lawless invaders, grown bolder, and familiar with thoir strength
2 II