GEOTRYGON CHIRIQUENSIS.
(GHmiQUIAN GEOUNII-PIGEON).
Geotrygon chiriguens Sclater, P.Z.S . 1856, p. 143.
Salvin, P.Z.S . 1867, pp . 1 3 0 ,1 5 9 .
S u p rà sa tu ra te castaneo -b ru nn eu s,in tersc ap u lio p u rp u ra sc e n te tin c to : p ileo to to scbistaceo, fro n tem ve rsu s d ilu tio re;
faciei la te rib u s alb ican tib u s , a g u lâ a lb â lin e a irreg u la ri n ig râ divisis : su b tù s c innamomeus, p e c to re to to e t la te rib u s
cum tectric ib u a subalaribus c astaneis : remig ib u s a larum scb ista ceacenti-nigris ; c audâ su p r à fere concolore, su b tiis
n ig ric au te , ciunamomeo te rm in a ta : ro s tro nig ro , mandibulæ basi e t p ed ib u s ru b ris : long, to ta 11‘5, a læ 6 '0 , caudæ 4 0,
ta rs i 1-6.
H a b . in V erag u a {Bridges e t Arcé).
Since preparing our article upon the Ground-pigeon figured in Plate X X X IX o f tins work
as Geotrygon chiriquensis, we have received in one o f Arcé’s collections from Veragua the bird
we now figui-e under the same name, which is without any douht the rightful owner o f the
appellation, while the former ought to be called Geotrygon alhifacies. So soon as we saw the
present bird we suspected that a fresh mistake had been added to the long list o f en-ors
connected with the White-faced Ground-pigeon o f Mexico and Guatemala, in regarding it as
identical with Geotrygon chiriquensis. For it was obvious at first sight that the bird just aiwived
from Veragua was quite distinct, and it was hardly probable that the two allies would occur m
the same country. Our suspicion was converted into certainty, when, on a recent visit to Pans,
we had the satisfaction o f finding the original type o f Selater’s description o f Geotrygon
chiriquensis, which was formerly in the collection o f the late Prince Bonaparte, but has lately
been transferred to the Gallery o f the Jardin des Plantes.
It remains, therefore, only to ask pardon for our error, and as some atonement for it to
present our readers with a figure and description o f the true Geotrygon chiriquensis, taken from
Arcé’s specimen, which is now in Messrs. Salvin and Godman’s collection. At the same time
we request them to alter the title o f Plate X X X IX to Geotrygon alhifacies.
The original specimen o f Sclater’s Geobygon chiriquensis was obtained by the late Mr.
Bridges in 1856 near David in Southern Veragua. Arcé’s skins were collected at Castillo and
Calovevora in the northern slope o f the same counfry, but rather more to tho eastward. Me
are not aware that the species has heen met with by other collectors.
Geobygon chiriquensis is easily distinguished from G. alhifacies by tbe uniform slaty colour
o f the top o f the head and nape, the latter in G. alhifacies being pui-plish like the hade ;