This bird is very common in the neighbourliood of Maldonado, where it
frequents the open grassy plains. It sits on the top of a thistle, or on a twig,
and catches the greater part of its food on the wing. It is generally quiet in its
movements and silent. Mr. Gould remarks, that he finds “ nearly all the species
of this peculiar group to differ remarkably in the structure of their wings and
tail, while in all other respects they closely resemble each other both in form and
liabit; I have, therefore, hesitated to separate them into so many genera. I iiave
assigned the present species to Mr. Swainson’s subgenus Fluvicola, considering
that differences in the form of one organ alone would not be sufficient grounds
for the institution of a new genus among such closely allied species ; the present
bird evidently leads off to Ticnioptera, a genus proposed many years since, by
tlie Prince of Musignano for the Pepoazas of Azara.
“ This species is closely allied to, if not identical with the Pepoaza Do-
mmicana of Azara, but as there is a degree of obscurity in his description, which
causes some doubt on this point, I have considered it better to pay a just
tribute of respect to that zealous labourer in the field of natural science, by
assigning his name to this very elegant bird.”
1 . X o lm is c o r o n a t a . G. R . Gray.
TynTniius coronatus, Vieill. Ency. Mctli. p. 885.
Mnscicapa vittiger, Licht. Cat. p. 54.
My specimen was obtained on the wooded banks of the Parana, near Santa
Fe, in Lat. 31° S.
Boie's name of Xolmis is adopted by Mr. G. II. Gray, as it was proposed
some five years anteriorly to that of the Prince of Musignano’s.
2 . X o lm is n e n g e t a . G. R . Gray.
Lanius nengeta, Linné, I. p. 135. 7.
Tyrannus nengeta, Sicains. Journ. Sci. xx. p. 279.
Fluvicola nengeta, Swains. Nat. Libr. Fly-catchers, p. 102. pi. 8.
Tyrannus pepoaza, Vieill. Ency. Meth. p. 855.
Muscicapa polyglotta, Licht. Spix. II. pi. 24.
Tyrannus polyglottus, Cuv.
Le Pepoaza proprement dit, jizara, No. 201.
My specimen was procured at Maldonado, north bank of La Plata, where
it is not common. Its habits in many respects are like those of the Fluvicola
A za ra ; it appears to catch its prey on the wing. Iris briglit red.