i
P l a t e X L V I .
CRYPTURUS BOUCARDI
(BOUCAED’S TINAMOU).
Tinamus houcardi Selater, P.Z.S. 1859, p. 301.
Salvin, Ib is, 18G1, p. 356.
G. E. Gray, L is t of G a llin s (18G7),p. 100.
Salv. Ib is , 1861, p. 356 (err.).
Obscure cinereus ; dorso to to e t alis e s tu s b ru n n eis , b is nigro
: remig ib u s a la rum fusco-
n ig ris fusco pau lu lum v a rie g a tis ; su b tu s d ilu tio r, g u lâ sordide albâ, v e n tre fu lvescenti-brunneo
c risso e t
te ctric ib u s subcaudalibus n ig ro v a riegatis : ro s tri maxillâ plumbeâ m andibulâ albidâ, p edibus clare corylino-flavia : long,
to ta 10 -0, alæ 6-5 , ta rs i 2 0, ro s tri a r ic tu 1-3,— JbsOT. M a ri similis, sed dorso imo, te ctric ib u s caudæ su p erioribus , c t
secundariis e s tù s cum te c tric ib u s a larum n ig ro e t fulvo d istin c te transl'asciatis.
Hab. I n Mexico meridionali (BoucardJ : T e r a Pace, G u atem a la (Salvin).
In form, size, and general appearance, Boucard's Tinamou presents a close resemblance
to the bird which bears the name o f M. Sallé, wlio along with M. Boucard has done so much
to advance our knowledge o f Mexican Ornithology. But in every stage o f plumage the present
species may be recognized by the uniform dark slaty colour o f the chest and neck below, wlhcli
bear no traces o f transverse markings.
Boucard’s Tinamou seems to be rather more restricted in its range than its allied
species. It was first discovered in the mountains o f Oaxaca hy the well-known collector
whose name it bears, and described in Sclater’s article upon hi. Boucard’s collection in the
Zoological Society’s “ Pi'oceedings” for 1859. In Guatemala Sahdn found this bird common
in the forcst-disti-ict o f Novtheru Vera Vaz. It is known to the Indians o f Coban by tlic name
o f the “ B a a -h o lc f derived from its peculiar call, which is prolonged into a sort o f melancholy
wail. Like the rest o f its congeners in Central America, although o f strictly terrestrial habits, it
is only met with in the dense forests. Numerous specimens were procured in the vicinity of
Choctum and other adjoining villages o f Vera Paz, and afforded a material contribution to tlie
scanty supply o f fresh meat obtainable in those districts. In Western Guatemala this Tinamou
appears to be quite unknown, its place being taken in the forests o f the Pacific slope by the
allied Cryptiims salloei.
As shewn by our figures o f this and the preceding species, a not inconsiderable diversity in
the markings o f the plumage is exhibited upon compai-ison o f a series o f individuals. This most
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