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absence of the white pectoral crescent, a character common to so many members of as family ; I may
remark, too, that were its habits and economy better known, we should doubtless find that its very powerful
bill is fitted for some special purpose. . . |
The Troctes Massene is very common in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and probably in all the other countries
southward to the Isthmus of Panama. Specimens from the latter country are smaller than those obtained in
more northern localities
The following particulars respecting this species have been kindly furnished ae by Mr. Osbert Salvin, a
centleman who is so intimately acquainted with the ornithology of Central America that all that flows from
his pen must be considered of value :—‘ Trogon Massene, though abundant in Ha parts of the vast forests
which clothe the warmer portions of the eastern side of the great Central-American Isthmus from Mexico to
Panama, does not appear to occur in similar tracts on the western or Pacific side of those countries; nor is
it, that I am aware of, to be found in the more broken and thinner forests of the central portion of the
Isthmus. Though originally described as occurring in Mexico, it does not seem to be very abundant there,
as the only recent records of its capture in that country are given by Mr. Sclater, who states that M. Boucard
obtained specimens at Play Bcc and that others passed through the hands of the MM. Verreaux (cf.
P.Z.S. 1858, p. 96, & 1859, p. 887). In Guatemala, Massena’s Trogon is very abundant in the province of
Vera Paz; and during my excursions to the lowland forests in 1860, and again in 1862, when Mr. Godman
and I were together, I had frequent opportunities of observing it. As I said before, it is a bird which inhabits
the densest forest, never emerging into the sunlight or the brushwood of an old clearing. It usually flies
amongst the lower branches of the forest trees, but still far from the ground. Its habits are quick and
spasmodic while in motion, and the very reverse when perched and at rest. A bird is observed to fly past
overhead; it alights on a bough, and in a moment assumes an attitude that would lead one to suppose
it had not stirred for an hour. When thus perched, the glittering green of the y pper plumage and breast
is inconspicuous, but the brilliant red of the under parts is an object of mark against the dark foliage of the
trees. Its cries are various, but harsh and discor dant, none of them being so soft as the call-note of the
Quezal. Its food consists principally of ripe fruits, which are plucked whilst the bird is on the wing.
Occasionally a caterpillar is added to its repast. The first specimen I saw was in the mountains of Rashché,
at an elevation of about 2500 feet above the sea; but at Choctum, which is only half that elevation, it occurred

in numbers ; not only did we obtain examples ourselves, but every collection made by natives was well stocked

with them. Specimens were also procured for us near Teleman, a village situated just where the river
Polochic becomes navigable for canoes. Mr. Leyland found Trogon Massene at Omoa and San Pedro, and
in the notes referring to his collection (P. Z. S. 1859, p. 53) he states that ‘these birds are met with in
pairs ; they are very active, making a chattering noise, v

aried occasionally by a great outcry. In Costa
Rica it appears to be equally abundant ;

M. Carmiol has recently forwarded us specimens from a place
called Valza; and the collection of the Sis Institution, at Washington, contains a plentiful supply
from the same sources. A little further southwards, Enrique Arcé found it in V eragua, and has sent us skins
from the Cordillera of Tolé and Santiago de Veraguas, whilst from the Panama railway line we have had
forwarded to us numerous e3 examples, by that i indefatigable naturalist Mr. James M’Leannan, the ‘ track-
master’ of Lion Hill Station: the forest surrounding his house seems to be full of these birds. The most
southern recorded locality for the occurrence of Trogon Massene is the river

Truando and the delta of the
Atrato, where examples were es by

the Messrs Wood, who accompanied the surveying expedition

under Lieut. Michler, as recorded by Mr. Cassin in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of

Philadelphia, 1860, p. 135.”

The Plate represents the two sexes, of the size of life.