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BROOKLYN MUSEUM ete EASTERN PARKWAY, BROOKLYN, N.Y. "fer '’ SEPTEMBER 1, 1916” . ) ahr —— 639 | yi/ C52 _ P ssi ff VP # is S \ COLLECTION > ee < ae Stina! es — THE MUSEUM OF THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES SCIENCE BULLE Ef EN VOL. 2, NO. 6. A CONTRIBUTION TOs Lith -ORNITEHOLOGY ,OF: THE ORINOCO REGION. a a By Grorce K. CHERRIE. This paper is based chiefly on specimens in the collection of the Museum of The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, obtained by the writer, together with his field notes on the same.1 It includes, how- ever, observations on the specimens sent to the American Museum of Natural History from the vicinity of Ciudad Bolivar on the Orinoco and various points on the Caura River by Mr. Samuel M. Klages. In 1905 collections were made by the writer for the Brooklyn Museum in the vicinity of Ciudad Bolivar and_ the village of Caicara covering the period from April 3rd to June ‘24th inclusive. In 1907 collecting was carried on in the same local- ities as in 1905, and in addition at various points on the River San Feliz, near its junction with the River Cuchivero, a tributary of the Orinoco, entering that stream some forty miles below the village of Caicara. Also a week’s time was spent in the middle delta region of the Orinoco at the village of Las Barrancas. The collecting in 1907 covered the period between April 6th and August 7th inclusive. In addition, however, to the notes on specimens in the Brooklyn Museum collection, there have been added certain notes and observations on species collected and observed by Stella M. Cherrie and the writer in the valley of the Orinoco in 1897, 1898, and 1899, while engaged in collecting birds for the Tring Museum, England. Thus not only are 1The manuscript for this paper was completed some five or six years ago, and passed out of the author’s hands at that time. After some vicissitudes, it was being published under the editorship of the late Edward L. Morris, acting Curator-in-Chief of the Brooklyn Museum. His untimely death left it partly in page proof and partly in galley proof. The old proof sheets have been placed in the writer’s hands, and recently published investigations of various students of tropical American ornithology have made considerable revision necessary. The paper, therefore, is not as complete as might be desired, nor does it represent the most recent views on classification. . I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Waldron DeWitt Miller for his patient, careful work in reading the proof. To Dr. J. A. Allen and Dr. Frank M. Chapman I am also indebted for granting me full use of the collections in the American Museum of Natural History.—THE AUTHOR. 133a 134 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. species actually represented in the Brooklyn Museum collections included, but also all additional forms that were collected or observed on my first expedition to the Orinoco; while, to make the paper more complete, and particularly in the interest of those who may not have access to Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper “On the Birds of the Orinoco Region,!” there are added all species from the Orinoco proper, and its tributary the Caura River, included in that paper, but not ob- served by the writer: Also, species that have been recorded from the Orinoco region, since the publication of Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper, and that have come to the notice of the writer are included. Where colors are given of the eye and naked parts about the head, of the bill, and of the feet, they are the result of a direct comparison with the colored plates in Ridgway’s “Nomenclature of Colors” and were made in the field from freshly killed specimens. For almost all groups “keys” for the more ready determination of the various genera, and their species, have been inserted, followmg the preliminary observations under each of the family headings. Many of these keys, with slight alterations, were prepared by the writer for his convenience in the identification of specimens in the field. And while the keys were constructed primarily as aids in identifying the species known to inhabit the immediate valley of the Orinoco, there are frequently included the necessary “characters” distinguishing many species known to be found in contiguous territory. It must be under- stood, however, that no effort has been made to supply “keys” to the birds of other regions of northern South America. The nomenclature and determination of species is much the same as that employed by Berlepsch and Hartert in their paper which was based chiefly on the collection made in the same region by Mrs. Cherrie and myself in 1897 to 1899, and the André and Klages collections from the Caura River district. The references to Berlepsch and Hartert, unless specifically noted to the contrary, are to their paper, and the nomenclature where not otherwise indicated is the same. TURDIDAE—THE THRUSHES. Six thrushes are found~on the Orinoco: five are resident forms of the genus Planesticus and one a North American migrant of the genus Hylocichla. The latter is probably never found in juvenal plumage 1INovitates Zoologicae IX. 1902. p. 134. CHERRIEK: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 135 on the Orinoco, consequently the character of having the breast spotted will serve to distinguish Hylocichla from adult examples of Planesticus among birds seen or taken in the Orinoco region. Key TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF TURDIDAE. a. None of the primaries sinuated on the outer webs.................2..05- Catharus.+ a’. Some of the primaries sinuated on the outer webs. 6. Not more than three primaries sinuated on the outer webs.......... Hylocichla aliciae aliciae. ij. Bout primaries sinuated on the outer webs, «2... 2. c..6ceecscee ens Planesticus. c. Skin about eye bare (in life bright citron yellow)................. Planesticus gymnophthalmus e’. Skin about eye feathered. d. A white patch below the blackish or dusky streaks on the throat. e. Above a rich olive brown strongly washed with rufous....... Planesticus phaeopygus phaeopygus. e’. Above rich olive brown with greenish wash.................. Planesticus phaeopygus phaeopygoides. d’. No white patch below the streaks on the throat. e. General color above a subdued olive brown, below greyish brown. Planesticus albiventer. e’. General color above tawny olive brown, below ochraceous brown. Planesticus fumigatus. : PLANESTICUS GYMNOPHTHALMUS (Cabanis). Turdus gymnophthalmus Cab. in Schomb. Reise Brit. Guiana III. 1848. p. 665; Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 2. Retiring and shy, frequenting clumps of trees and thickets in the open savanna, and the underbrush near the borders of large timber. It has a pleasing song, and call and alarm notes that somewhat resemble those of the American Robin. Insects and fruits are included in the diet and obtained chiefly from among the branches as I rarely saw this thrush on the ground. The common native name for this and the following species is “Paraulata Montafiera.” ‘They are occa- sionally kept as cage birds and become exceedingly tame. In life the eye is chestnut, the bare skin about eye citron yellow; bill dusky olive buff with pale cutting edges; feet smoke grey. A male bird taken at Maipures above the first falls on the Orinoco, had the bare skin about eye ochre yellow and the eyelids orange-rufous. Nesting begins with the approach of the rainy season—in the vicinity of Caicara, early in May—and continues until the end of June. A nest taken at Caicara June 9, 1905, (Brooklyn Museum Collection) was loosely placed on the thickly matted horizontal branches of a low shrub, about 1.21 m. from the ground. It was a rather bulky affair with the exterior outlines of a truncated cone, 9 centimeters high, 25 centimeters in diameter at the base and 12 at the top. The bulky 1The “Orinoco Valley” is taken as type locality (!) for Catharus birchalli Seebohm. 136 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. part of the nest consists of coarse dead grass, weed stems, rootlets, and a few dead leaves. Then comes the nest cavity built up of rather fine rootlets and dead grasses mixed with mud, with an inner lining of coarse rootlets. The inside of the nest measures 9 cm. in diameter by 4 cm. in depth. Incubation was so far advanced in the two eggs taken with this nest that only one could be saved. The egg is a pale greenish blue rather thickly speckled all over with russet. In addition spots of burnt umber are thickly mixed with the russet about the larger end, and some underlying ecru-drab spots. This egg measures 30 X 21.5 mm. Another nest collected at Caicara June 21, 1907, was taken inside the village limits in a courtyard and not over 7 m. from the door of a house where a large family of children were constantly passing back and forth. This nest was about 3.5 m. from the ground at the base of a large horizontal limb of a Guava tree. It resembled the first in all essential features. The dimensions of this nest are: outside, depth 7 cm., diameter at rim I1.5 cm.; inside depth 4 cm., diameter 8.2 cm. The outlines of this nest are not as symmetrical as the one in the pre- vious description. Incubation had begun in the three eggs taken with this nest. The eggs themselves are smaller than the one previ- ously described and are more typically ovate in form; they measure 29X19; 27.5% 19.5 and 28.5x19.5 mm. respectively. The greenish blue ground color is less clear, and in two of the set the markings are much larger, and more thickly speckled over the surface, especially about the larger end; in the last of the set the specks and spots are nearly uniformly distributed over the entire surface. | In yet another set of three eggs, collected on the 2oth of June, the pattern of coloration differs considerably from those described above. In one of the three the greenish blue ground color has a yellowish or buff wash; the irregular small spots and dots of color are larger all over the surface and very thickly massed about the larger end. In the other two eggs the ground color is the same pale greenish blue but the markings are confined entirely to the larger end. In one egg these form a chestnut cap, the edges of which are broken into spots and dots of chestnut overlying rufous. In the last egg the spots and blotches of chestnut overlying others of rufous form a broad band about the larger end. These eggs measure 27.x 19.5; 28.75 x 20.2; 28.5 x 20 mm., respectively. The nest from which these eggs were taken and from which the CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 137 parent bird was flushed, was located about 3.5 m. up amid the thick branches of a small tree standing in a thicket on the edge of the savanna. When discovered there was over half an inch of water in the bottom of the nest, the mud that had been used in its construction having been so firmly packed and mixed with the grasses and other nesting materials that after a heavy rain the water escaped through very slowly. My observations indicated that the number of eggs in a set varies from two to four; the latter number is, however, unusual. - Specimens of the Bare-eyed Thrush from Trinidad, together with one example from the delta region of the Orinoco, are uniformly richer, less greyish olive above than examples from the middle Orinoco, and there appears to be a greater amount of white on the lower breast and abdomen. It seems not improbable that the exam- ination of_a large series would justify the subspecific separation of the two forms. PLANESTICUS ALBIVENTER (Spix). Turdus albiventer Spix. Av. Bras. I. 1824. p. 70; Berlepsch & Hartert pa 2: ; Specimens were collected on the Orinoco at various points, including Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia, Caicara, Quiribana de Caicara, Urbana and Maipures, from the delta region at Las Barrancas up- ward, as far as the mouth of the Vichada River. In life the eye is vandyke brown; bill mouse grey with yellowish cutting edges; feet smoke grey. Spix’s Thrush, like the preceding species, frequents dense thickets and is shy and retiring. In many of its actions this bird resembles the American Robin but is usually conspicuous by its absence about the houses, both in the country and in the villages. The nesting habits and nests are similar to those of 7. gymnophthalmus. A nest taken at Caicara, June 14, 1904, was found in a dense thicket, in the forks of a small sapling, 1.52 m. from the ground. This nest con- tained three eggs, only one of wliich was preserved, owing to the advanced state of incubation. This egg is a pale bluish green thickly marked with blotches and spots varying in color from cinnamon- rufous to chestnut overlying pale ecru-drab blotches; it is ovate in form and measures 20 x 28 mm. 138 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Three fresh eggs and a nest were taken at Caicara, June 6, 1905. This nest was only about 1.2 m. from the ground in the forks of a sapling. These eggs have the same ground color as that described above, but two of them are so thickly marked with small spots and specks of rufous and chestnut as to remind one of eggs of the Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum). ‘The remaining egg is marked less thickly and with larger spots of varying shades of color from rufous to chestnut overlying pale ecru-drab spotting. The eggs are all ovate. They measure 26 x 20 mm.; 27 x 21 mm. and 28x 21 mm. Another nest collected on May 22nd, at Caicara is rather unusual, being less bulky than is the rule, and constructed almost entirely of the long fine rootlets that spring from about the trunks and larger branches of some of the trees of the genus Ficus. Only a very little mud is used in the structure. There is a lining of larger root- lets as in the ordinary nest. The inside measurements of the nest are 8.5 cm. in diameter by 4 cm. in depth. The three eggs taken with this nest, as is the case with those described above, show much individual variation. They. average smailer, measuring 19 x 24; 19x 25 and 18x 23.5 mm. A nest with four fresh eggs (No. 145! Brooklyn Museum Collec- tion) collected at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar, April 15, 1907, was unusual in that no mud had been employed in its construction. It was located in a niche, 2.4 m. up, in the side of a huge boulder that was surrounded by low trees and tangled bushes of the savanna. That mud had not been used in the building of this nest was prob- ably due to the fact that it could not have been obtained within a dis- tance of less than two miles: the dry season was at its height, and the savanna on all sides was parched and dry. This nest was placed so closely against the wall of rock that at its back only the thickness of the inner lining of rootlets intervened between them. Parallel with the face of the rock the base of the nest measured 24 cm.: at right angles to the face 18 cm.: the outside depth was 7.5 cm. The nest cavity measures 9g cm. diameter by 4.5 cm. in depth,—almost a per- fect hemisphere. The body of the nest is made up of very fine bits of grass and plant stems, strips of soft inner bark, dead leaves, ete. Of the four eggs taken with this nest two are thickly marked with small spots and specks (chiefly pale rufous) nearly evenly distributed over the entire surface. The other two are marked with much larger CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 139 spots and blotches of various shades of brown, from rufous to chest- nut; in one, nearly uniformly distributed, in the other thickest about the larger end. They are ovate in form and measure 28.25 x 20; 28.75x 19; 26.5x19 and 27.75x20 mm. respectively. The eggs of P. albiventer cannot be distinguished from those of its congener P. gymnophthalmus. -PLANESTICUS FUMIGATUS (Lichtenstein). Turdus fumigatus Licht., Verz. Doubl. 1823. p. 38; Berlepsch & Hartert Pp. 3- The marked variation in color presented by a series of these thrushes from various localities throughout northern South America has been already commented on by ornithologists. The series before the writer is entirely too small and too meagre in localities repre- sented, to give any satisfactory idea of the geographical distribution of the three or four races into which it seems the species might be separable. Indeed, the distribution indicated by the material at hand is most perplexing. The writer has met with this thrush on the upper Orinoco, above the falls of Atures and those of Maipures, and in Trinidad. At the present time he has for comparison, specimens from ‘Trinidad, British Guiana, E] Pilar on the north coast of Venezuela, Nericagua on the upper Orinoco, Cayenne, and three points in Brazil, viz., Santarem, Diamantina and Maranhao. From the upper Orinoco region (Nericagua) only one bird is available for comparison. It is a female, taken April 23rd, and agrees almost exactly in color with an example from Santarem, Brazil (with- out sex or other data), but is decidedly smaller, the wing measuring only 105 mm. and the tail 95, while in the Brazilian specimen the wing measures 118 mm. and the tail 110 mm. The specimens from Trinidad are uniformly much lighter in color than those from the other localities in the series before me, being a raw umber, with a pronounced olive wash and with a narrow russet edging to the .outer edges of the quills, greater, and middle wing coverts. The Nericagua and Santarem birds are dark mummy brown above with a wash of vandyke, while the tips and outer edges of greater and middle coverts are cinnamon-rufous in the Nericagua example (a characteristic which may be due to immaturity). The 140 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6, Trinidad birds are so different that I have recently separated them as P. fumigatus aquilonalis.+ PLANESTICUS PHAEOPYGUS PHAEOPYGUS (Cabanis). Turdus phaeopygus Cab. in Schomb. Reise Brit. Guiana IT. 1848. p. 666; Berlepsch & Hartert p. 3. Collected on the Caura River? by Klages (Mountains west of Suapure) and by André (La Pricion). It is replaced in the delta region of the Orinoco by the Tobagan subspecies. (P. p. phaeopygoides.) PLANESTICUS PHAKOPYGUS PHAEOPYGOIDES (Seebohm). Turdus phaeopygoides Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. V. 1881. p. 404 (Tobago). Turdus phaeopygus phaeopygoides Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII, 1906. p- 4 (Guanoco, Orinoco Delta). Hellmayr in preparing his paper on the birds of Trinidad records a specimen from Guanoco in the Orinoco delta, collected by Andre. HyLocicHLA ALICIAE ALICIAE (Baird). Turdus aliciae Baird, Rep. Pacific R. R. Surv. 1X. 1858. p. 217; Ber- lepsch & Hartert p. 3. On my first expedition to the Orinoco the Grey-cheeked Thrush was observed at irregular intervals from December until the middle of April. Specimens were collected at Quiribana de Caicara and at Maipures above the falls. Only solitary birds were seen. None have been observed on the more recent expeditions. MIMIDAE—THE MOCKING BIRDS. This family is represented in the Orinoco region by a single sub- species of the genus Mimus and one species of the genus Donacobis. \ Key To THE GENERA OF MIMIDAE. a. *‘‘No naked space on side of neck; tail graduated for less than one-fourth its lengths. Ome yak BOR welt Sen ale PSs ie dos Mae Peretere eee teenrers Mimus. a’. “‘A large naked space on side of neck; tail graduated for nearly half its Neh ok=4 1 Dee Ae Senne int 3 Siciecreccop dosroemOOGdo o acu Donacobius. MIMUS CILVUS MELANoPTERUS Lawrence. Mimus melanopterus Lawr., Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N. Y., 1849. p. 35. Mimus gilvus melanopterus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 3. 1Sci. Bull. Mus. Bklyn. Inst. I. 1900. p. 387. The Caura is a tributary of the Orinoco entering from the right side, and draining a considerable portion of the mountainous region between British Guiana and Venezuela. 3Ridgway Birds of North and Middle America, IV. 1907. p. 183. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. I4I Native name Paraulata. Common everywhere on the savannas, frequenting the small clumps of trees and more open thickets. The habits are similar to those of our own mocking-bird, although it is perhaps less shy. Nests are frequently built in the immediate vicin- ity of the native ranch houses. At San Mateo de Caicara on May 22, 1905, three fresh eggs were taken from a nest, found in a small tree, about 1.5 m. from the ground. The tree stood alone, close to a house and the nest was in plain view from all sides. The eggs are marked with reddish brown spots, which in two of them were so thickly set as to nearly obscure the pale blu- ish green ground color. The third egg is rather sparsely spotted, except about the larger end, and the color of the spots is darker, while the ground is a richer bluish green. The eggs are ovate in form and iMeasutes25.5 x 10.75; >20.2x 19.75 aud .25.5x 10.5 mm. Four days elapsed after the completion of the nest before any eggs were laid, then one egg was deposited every twenty-four hours. A nest taken by the writer at Quiribana de Caicara, April 21, 1898, was found in a low bush at the edge of the open savanna about g1.5 cm. from the ground. It was constructed of coarse dry sticks lined with dry grasses and rootlets. The eggs taken with this nest Micastihe: 27% 19:5; 25.0 x 19:5; and 25.6 x 19.8 mm.” Another nest found :May 25, 1898, was in a dense clump of thorny bushes at the edge of the open savanna. This nest was only 61 cm. from the ground. At Caicara on the 6th day of May, 1907, a nest with three eggs was taken that was similarly placed to that of the last, only about 6r cm. up in a thicket of thorny palm stems. Incubation had begun, and was much further advanced in one egg than in the other two. The eggs measure 27.4x19.5; 27.5x20. and 27.75x19 mm. Com- pared with the set first described the markings are somewhat darker and in larger spots. In the smallest of the three eggs the markings are uniformly distributed over the entire sutface and very thickly set. In the largest egg the markings are lightest in color, fewest in number and clustered most about the larger end. Eggs of the Colombia Mocking-bird are indistinguishable from those of either Planesticus albiventer or P. gymnophthalmus. A male in juvenal plumage taken at Caicara, June 2, 1905, has a greyish eye and dusky bill and feet. It is smoke grey above, clear on "‘1Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 3. 142 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. the head and mottled with a wash of wood brown. ‘The wings and tail are black, tips and outer edges of primaries and alula white. Ter- tials, secondaries and coverts are tipped and edged with pale buffy wood brown. Outer edges of outer pair and tips of five outer rec- trices white. Below dull white washed with buff and spotted with dusky brown except on crissum and belly. Postocular and malar streaks and auriculars grayish white. Lores and subocular streak blackish. A faintly indicated dusky sub-malar streak. DONACOBIUS ATRICAPILLUS ATRICAPILLUS (Linnaeus). Turdus atricapillus Linn., Syst. Nat: ed. 12. I. 1766. p.. 295. (“Cap Bon Spei’—Berlepsch & Hartert substitute E. Brazil.) Donacobius atricapillus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 4. Klages sent a specimen that he collected on the Mato River, one of the small tributaries of the Caura River, to the Tring Museum; and Mr. Beebe collected and noted this species as abundant in the delta at Guanoco. TROGLODY TIDAE—THE WRENS. ; Five genera are represented in the Orinoco region including six species and four subspecies. All are notable as songsters and char- acteristic birds of the regions that they frequent. Key To GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF TROGLODYTIDAE. a. Lailiequal tolor lonsers thane wita en shee cactetetaiatere tetera rteee alee ane) tele tetene Heleodytes. b. Under parts white without spots or markings. c. Upper parts greyish brown with scarcely a trace of umber, smaller... H. griseus. c’. Upper parts strongly raw umber brown or washed with brown (be- tween a raw umber and mitmmy) largers: .. 2 - sterner tein aes HA. minor. b’. Under parts white with breast, sides, flanks and under tail-coverts 2 spotted’ with blackisini cei aosca = cgeveie ey-uensinns sie eecics ee es on aiier oheteaenonsueecte H. nuchalis. a’. Tail shorter than wing. b. Chin and throat pale and without dusky or blackish cross bars. c. Feathers on sides of neck mottled black and white, the centres being white, edges black........ oa enokd Shinass GOS Eee a EE aOR Ee Leucolepis musicus. } c’, Feathers on sides of neck not black and white mottled. d. Nostrils rounded, at forward end of the nasal fossa...........-- Thryophilus. e. Throat white, remainder of under parts buff, on sides, flanks and under tail-coverts becoming ochraceous. (On the Caura River, the Cuchivero River and probably other tributaries of the Orinoco, entering that stream from the CEE Ti ENC} tc (2 pee aS ethodt Sows neo coon 6 oti. 6o Coie T. albipectus albipectus. 1This wren so far as known is found only in British Guiana, but it is not improbable that it may be taken in the delta region of the Orinoco. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 143 e’. Much paler below, the brownish-olive color being confined almost entirely to the flanks and under tail-coverts; upper surface also paler with less rufous. (Middle stretches of the Orinoco from the delta region—Las Barrancas—up as farias: the first Balls; Atures)) oj. 6 < octer otc ares cis ele orale e T. albipectus hypoleucus. e’’. Entire upper parts much darker rufous brown, below, sides, flanks and crissum deep ochraceous, very much richer in color than either of the preceding forms. (The Upper Orinoco from above the Falls of Atures).............-- T. albipectus bogotensis. d'. Nostrils, if rounded, not at forward end of nasal fossa. e. Nostrils linear, opening along lower edge of nasal fossa. fae LOrOatawhtte breasts PT@Vic.de.6 a 605566) nc « sieisinye, Sioa ¢ cllole’ oiaie eis’s Pheugopedius griseipectus caurensis. fem rOab ane Least PUtly tiers nis wie eos cin ais wid mw nieiele ee ese Troglodytes musculus clarus. e’. Nostrils rounded, near center of nasal fossa. f. Prominent white wing-bands formed by subterminal white EIPISiEO PTeAter Wille-COVELUS 2. s/-,-. - orcre ss sts os Sale cles cw ane see Microcerculus caurensis. TRY INO PERG OS San Cb Secs Po CeCe Diao Ieee oen oenerC Henicorhina leucosticta. HELEODYTES GRISEUS (Swainson).! Furnarius griseus Swains., Anim, in Menag. 1838. p. 325. Campylorhynchus griseus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 4. Native name Cucarachero. In life the eye is vandyke brown; bill black above, greyish horn color below; feet slate color. Birds of this species are usually seen (and heard) in pairs, or, after the breeding season, from April to July, in family parties of from three to eight. ‘They are rarely seen in the dense forest, keeping near the borders of open savannas and localities abounding with scat- tering scrub oaks and clumps of underbrush. The nesting habits of this species are quite unusual. Early in my-acquaintance with it I had believed it constructed its own nests, but that the nests built one year were not employed,—at least not for the rearing of a brood of young,—until the following season. Later observations have convinced me, however, that rarely, if ever, does this wren do more in the way of nest building than to refurnish the abandoned nest of some other bird, and that the more dilapidated the structure is in outward appearance, the more acceptable it is as a true nesting site. The old abandoned nests of Pitangus sulphuratus are the ones that appear to be selected most frequently. Several of these nests together with nests of Myiozetetes are frequently found in the same tree, often within three or four feet of one another, and if one of the Pitangus nests is the real nest of a pair of wrens the owners may be seen entering the other old nests quite as frequently as they do their 1Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 4, have called attention to the error in the British Museum Catalogue regarding this species and bicolor, the names having been transposed. 144 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. own. Not only do they enter the other nests but they may be seen industriously carrying in nesting material. This curious habit, I have observed, is indulged in chiefly when the birds are being watched.— when they feel their homes may be in danger. While nesting mate- rials, such as soft dry grasses, may be carried into any and all of the old nests in the tree where a Large Cactus Wren is nesting, only one nest will receive a lining of the soft down-like substance that envelops the seed of the -silk-cotton tree, and there the eggs or young will be found. I never ascertained that more than one pair of birds nested in a single tree, but found from three to eight nests in a tree occupied by a single pair of birds. I first took eggs of this species at Quiribana de Caicara, April 10, 1898. The clutch contained only three eggs in which incubation was far advanced. ‘The nest was an old one, doubtless that of Pitangus sulphuratus rufipennis with a fresh lining. It was a large globular affair composed of dry grasses, set in a tangle of small limbs of a scrub oak, about 3.5 m. from the ground. ‘The entrance was at one side near the top. In the same tree were six other nests, none of which were occupied and there was apparently only the one pair of birds in the neighborhood. Another clutch of three eggs with incubation far advanced was taken April 17th. The nest was about 4.5 m. up in a scrub oak, that stood well out in the savanna. It was an old nest, globular in form, ragged and dilapidated in appearance, but it had been supplied with a little fresh lining of soft grasses. A new nest of Pitangus had been built in the same tree, not ten feet from the old one, but had been deserted by the original owners and the wrens had selected the old one in preference. A clutch of five incubated eggs of this species (now in the Tring Museum), was taken at Caicara, June 27, 1898. They were of a “glossy brownish brick-red, darker spots being traceable.”1 Others are “‘whitish red, the brick-red patches leaving some of the ground color free.”! .They measure “24.5 x 18.5; 24.5 17.4; 24X17.5 mm.” The nest in this case was as usual an old one and much dilapidated. It was situated about 2.4 m. up in a small scrub oak. There was a much newer nest in the same tree not over 1.2 m. from the one con- taining the eggs. Both birds were present and manifested much concern, scolding me soundly. Before I climbed the tree to search 1Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 4. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 145 for eggs I watched the parents for some time and noted them fre- quently entering and leaving the new nest but not approaching the old one in which were the eggs. While I was taking the clutch of eggs on April 17th the parent birds remained close by but seemed to take little notice of my presence. A nest which together with a set of four eggs and the parent birds was taken at Caicara May 5th, 1907 (No. 14,655 Geo.. K. Cherrie Coll.) was a nest of Pitangus sulphuratus rufipenmis that, having served as a home for a brood of its builders’ young, had been abandoned by that builder and appropriated by a Cactus Wren. A new lining of coarse dry grasses only had been taken in. ‘The nest was located at the extreme end of a long horizontal branch of a Guaramal tree and was about 2.4 m. above the ground. ‘The parent birds, both of which were collected, were not at all demonstrative. The female was shot as she left the nest. The ground color of the eggs varies from a salmon-buff to a vinaceous-cinnamon. They are everywhere thickly speckled with hazel and chestnut. Of the four eggs, one was on the point of hatching, one about half incubated, ‘one fresh, the fourth rotten and pierced with two small holes on the larger end. They measure 24X 17.5; 23X17.5; 23.5 x17.75 and 24.5x16.5 mm. respectively. Three are ovate in form and one decidedly elongate ovate. On the 22nd of May, 1907, near La Cascabel on the River San Feliz, a nest was found containing two half grown young and one rotten egg. The nest was undoubtedly one that had been built by a Pitangus. It was about 4.5 m. from the ground. The egg is ovate in form and measures 25x18 mm. In color the ground is nearly a salmon-buff and is thickly speckled with vinaceous-cinnamon. Mr. Hartert in describing the eggs sent by the writer to the Tring Museum refers to them as “glossy,” but that term would hardly be applicable to the examples that are before me. HELEODYTES MINOR Cabanis.! Heleodytes minor Cab., Mus. Hein. I. 1851. p. 80. This species was collected at Ciudad Bolivar by Klages, and the 1In the American Museum collection is a series of specimens from the Santa Marta region, Colombia, identified by Allen as H. griseus (Swains)—Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., XIII. 1900. p. 180—that seem to belong to this species, but doubtless represent a different race that differs from the Venezuelan birds by the almost total lack of barring to the tail-feathers (being faintly indicated in three or four only), and in the greater extent and deeper shade of chestnut red on the back, rump, and wing-quill edges. 146 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. writer secured a single example at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar on the 1907 expedition. There is also in the American Museum collection a small series of specimens collected by Klages from Maripa, in the Caura River region. HELEODYTES NUCHALIS (Cabanis). Campylorhynchus nuchalis Cab., Orn. Not. in Arch. Naturg. XIII. 1847. p. 206; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 5. An abundant species along the middle Orinoco. Specimens were collected at Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. It frequents similar localities to those where H. griseus is found and may be usually seen in pairs or family parties. In fresh specimens the colors are: eye straw yellow; feet slate grey; bill above dusky, below pale flesh color. . The nesting habits of this species are somewhat similar to those of H. griseus, and equally interesting. A nest containing four fresh eggs was found at Caicara, May 12, 1907 (No. 14,737 Cherrie Coll.). It was one of half a dozen irregular shapeless masses of fine soft root- lets, grasses, feathers and tufts of the soft silky down from fruits of the silk-cotton (balsamo) tree. Each of the nests, apparently masses of rub- bish, was provided with two or three entrances to as many chambers, or instead of opening into separate chambers they were in some cases entrances to tunnels through the nest mass! Only one of the several nest masses, however, was in use as a nest proper. That contained four fresh eggs. To the nest cavity proper there was only one en- trance, but in addition there were in the same nest mass two tunnels running from side to side. At the time when the eggs were secured both parent birds were present and showed the greatest excitement. Their actions were most extraordinary, and instead of employing their time with cries of distress, or scolding the intruder, they im- mediately went to work, industriously carrying mouthfuls of soft feathers and balsamo from ‘one nest mass to another, but not going near the real nest. However, when they realized that the enemy could not be deceived by their artifice, they turned their attention to the nest mass containing the eggs, and worked with such a will, and with such good effect, packing the entrance with balsamo and soft feathers, even while I was engaged in cutting the branch that supported the nest, that by the time the nest was on the ground no entrance was visible. For a moment I was inclined to believe I had made a mistake. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 147 I believe the nests of this wren, like those of H. griseus always have as a foundation the abandoned, and frequently half-decayed nests of either Pitangus or some species of Myiozetetes. The eggs are elongated-ovate in shape and a delicate pure white in color. HENICORHINA LEUCOSTICTA (Cabanis). Cyphorhinus leucostictus Cab., Orn. Not. in Arch. Naturg. XIII. 1847. p. 206. Henicorhina leucosticta Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 5. André collected specimens of this wren on the Caura River. MIcCROCERCULUS CAURENSIS Berlepsch & Hartert. Microcerculus caurensis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 5. A single specimen of this wren, said by its describers to be “closely allied to M. bambla from Guiana” was collected by André at Nicare on the Caura River. THRYOPHILUS ALBIPECTUS ALBIPECTUS Cabanis. Thryophilus albipectus Cab. in Schomb. Reise Brit. Guiana, III. 1848. p. 673 (Cayenne) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 6 (Suapure, La Pricion, La Union and Nicare, Caura River). In the Brooklyn Museum collection and that of the American Museum of Natural History, the writer has had for study Venezu- elan specimens from localities in the Orinoco region as follows :—On the Orinoco proper; Nericagua, Munduapo, Caicara, Ciudad Bolivar, Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar and Las Barrancas; La Cascabel (on the River San Feliz near its junction with the River Cuchivero) ; Mato River (near its junction with the Caura River); Maripa and La Union on the Caura River. Typical examples of three forms are represented, together with specimens that are intermediate in char- acter. Specimens collected by the writer at “La Cascabel” compared with an example of typical albipectus from Cayenne (No. 668 Cherrie and Gault Coll.) in the American Museum collection, agree almost exactly in color both above and below, but lack the faint traces of dusky bars on the back that are to be seen in that specimen. The American Museum series from Maripa and a single example among those labeled “La Union” (Klages Coll.) are referable to this form. Typical examples have been also recorded from Saupure, La Pricion, 148 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. La Union and Nicare on the Caura River. The Brooklyn Museum specimens from Las Barrancas (Orinoco Delta region) are referred to this form but are somewhat intermediate in character between albipectus albipectus and albipectus hypoleucus. THRYOPHILUS ALBIPECTUS HYyPOLEUCUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Thryophilus albipectus hypoleucus Berlp. & Hart., Bull, B.-0, Cm IQOI. p. 12; Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. 6. This, the lightest colored form of the white-breasted wren, is found everywhere along the Orinoco from Ciudad Bolivar up as far as, possibly beyond, the mouth of the Meta River. It, in common with the other races of this species, frequents the denser clumps of trees and bushes that dot the edges of savanna regions. Fresh birds have the eye mummy brown; bill blackish above, slate color below; feet plumbeous. Specimens were collected at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar, Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. The specimens collected by the writer at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar and at Ciudad Bolivar are somewhat intermediate in character, form- ing with the Las Barrancas specimens of albipectus albipectus links in the evidence pointing to the common origin of the two forms. THRYOPHILUS ALBIPECTUS BOGOTENSIS Hellmayr. Thryophilus albipectus bogotensis Hellmayr, Verhandl. Zool.-Botan. Gesellsch. Wien, LI. tgort. p. 774. (Type in Berlepsch Museum, Bogota Coll.). Thryophilus albipectus subsp. Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 6. This dark race was observed and collected by the writer on the Upper Orinoco at Perico, Maipures, Munduapo and Nericagua. In the American Museum collection there are specimens from La Union (on the Caura River) and from the Mato River collected by 5S. M. Klages, and two examples from Surinam (Chunkoo Coll.) that, by comparison with specimens collected by the writer at Maipures and Nericagua on the Upper Orinoco, seem to be typical of this race. In a female from Nericagua there are faint traces of narrow dusky bars on the back. In the female from Surinam such bars are quite evident and they are indicated in both a male and female example from La Union. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THI, ORINOCO REGION. 149 PHEUGOPEDIUS GRISEIPECTUS CAURENSIS (Berlepsch & Hartert). Thryothorus griseipectus caurensis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. Ie 1002: p.-7. Described from specimens secured on the Caura River by Mr. Eugene André. It has been recorded from La Union, La Pricion and Nicare (type locality). TROGLODYTES MUSCULUS CLARUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Troglodytes musculus clarus Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902, p. 8. (Type, Bartica Grove, British Guiana.) Common throughout the Orinoco region at least as far as the Falls of Atures. Specimens were collected at Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. In life the eye is seal brown; bill above blackish, below pale grey; feet dusky slate grey. A set of four slightly incubated eggs, together with the parent birds, were taken at Caicara, July 10, 1906 (15,078 Cherrie Coll.). The eggs are short ovate in form and measure 17.5x 14; 16.9 x 13.5; imate and: 17.5 x 13:6 -.mm. | They are thickly -dotted over ‘the entire surface with brown varying in shade on the different examples from vinaceous to chestnut. In two of the eggs the specks and dots are more thickly clustered about the larger end, forming a cap. ‘The ground color is a pale buffy pink. The nest was located in a natural cavity in the trunk of a Chaparo oak about 2.1 m. from the ground. Very little nesting material had been taken into the nest cavity, and consisted of a few black hair-like vegetable fibres on top of which was a lining of the wing and tail feathers of small birds so arranged that the quills stuck outward and upward around the edge of the nest, and the soft tips rested on the bottom. Here and there between the feathers were bits of the cast skin of some small lizard. The parent birds were shy and wary. ‘The female when flushed would fly directly to a thicket some twenty-five yards distant where she would remain quietly in hiding until she believed all danger to have passed. . SYLVIDAE—THE KINGLETS AND GNATCATCHERS. Only a single species pertaining to this family was observed on the Orinoco. I50 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Mr. Hellmayr, who has made a careful study of the South Ameri- can members of the genus Polioptila, has, in his last word on the subject!, concluded that there are six recognizable races of P. livida. Only one of this number has been recorded from the Orinoco region but as there are two others whose geographical distribution when better known may be found to extend to the territory under consideration, | have included them in the following key. KEY TO SUBSPECIES OF POLIOPTILA LIVIDA. a. Outer tail-feathers black at base of both inner and outer webs.......... Polioptila livida plumbiceps. a’. Outer tail-feathers entirely white. b. Upper wing-coverts edged with whitish and broad white edgings of the tertials reaching almost tothe shaft. (Cayenne, Surinam, Lower Ama- . Zoniatromurata’ tol Santanrend) icc iereeieiesiernctelsieicieiciees eine Sia Sie ircoayeiehe Polioptila livida livida. b’. Upper wing-coverts edged with pale bluish grey and white edges to tertials much narrower. (British Guiana, Rio Branco in North Brazil) Polioptila livida innotata. POLIOPTILA LIVIDA PLUMBICEPS (Lawrence). Polioptila plumbiceps Lawrence, Proc. Acad. N. Sc. Phila. XVII. 1865. p. 37 (Venezuela). Polioptila nigriceps Berlepsch & Hartert (non Baird) p. 9. P{[olioptila| lvida plumbiceps Hellmayr, Noyit. Zool. XIV, 1907. p. 4. This species is common along the Middle Orinoco from Ciudad Bolivar to the Falls of Atures, and less abundant above the falls where specimens were collected at Maipures. | A nest of this species, which the young were just leaving, was found at Caicara June 20, 1907. It closely resembled nests of the Blue-grey Gnatcatcher of Eastern North America, being a neat, trim, lichen-covered cup, saddled on to a horizontal branch. ‘The nest measures outside: depth 45, diameter at middle of nest, 55; inside: depth 31; diameter at rim 35; diameter half way down 41 mm. It was about 5 m. from the ground on one of the branches of a Chaparo oak that stood near the edge of the open savanna. It is by merest chance that such a nest is discovered as it is so small, so inconspicuous and its lichen covered walls match so exactly the color of the branch on which it rests.2 1Novitates Zoologicae XIV. 1907. pp. 4-5. 2It seems somewhat doubtful to the writer if the nest described as that of Lawrence’s Gnatcatcher by Clark (Auk XIX. 1902. p. 266.) from Margarita Island could have belonged to that species. Gnat- catcher nests certainly do not resemble those of the yellow Warbler. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. I51 MNIOTILTIDAE—THE WARBLERS. The author has collected seven species of Warblers on the Ori- noco, four of which number were North American migrants. One other species (Basileuterus mesoleucus) was included in Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper and was collected by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River. Now I am able to add Basileuterus auricapillus olivascens based on a specimen collected by Mr. C. William Beebe at Guanoco in the delta region and Oporornis agilis collected by L. E. Miller at Maipures. In the following key I have included some other species and sub- species that are recorded from various points in British Guiana that not improbably may be later found to enter the Orinoco valley. KEY TO THE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF MNIOTILTIDAE. a. Having a distinct superciliary stripe and breast nol red. 6. Breast and sides streaked with dusky or blackish................... Seiurus noveboracensis. b’. No streaks on breast and sides. ; Pee HLOate Dreastiands belly white. .\.jeuac 26 ciele caistue Gitte Brontal plumes; enect 1s, ci cietoveicle ecketersloxetel=ialele «(cl etetettteberstaievotel tate torste te Lampropsar tanagrinus guianensis. c’. Frontal plumes not erect. d. Size large, wing more than 150 mm. Neck feathers lengthened and expand edi?) -. i kepeve sacra ra tavesscaaiata cols relrecavasotoveieiatehel ele ioter heteteie tears Cassidix oryzivora oryzivora. d’. Smaller, wing less than 150 mm. ~ e. Length of bill nof more than twice its depth; tail square or but slightly rounded, f. Size large wingemore than) 220 mI... o.ctsiec eistenacelce e cieiciete oes Molothrus cabanisi.% f’. Smaller, wing xot more than 120 mm, Be WIS 2208 (OV.EF TOF) WM spo ie wien tel = cucdeyccevensievenels/arelaleleieteyerencuctae Molothrus atronitens.4 2. Wing more thanolosiimmic..taonvele. cecil ee ecieiee Molothrus bonariensis venezuelensis. ef. Length of bill more than twice its depth. Tail much rounded, ‘almost wedge-shaped van ceusisnencs cosctuvlets cate ars etoteroeeaakaoetenet me wectete Holoquiscalus lugubris. b’. Not uniformly black or brown, above and below. c. Throat uniform with breast and sides and general color of under parts olive green, black or brown. d, Entire under parts uniform (black); above, rump bright red...... Cacicus haemorrhous. d’. Under tail-coverts not uniform with breast. 652 “RUM PLVeMlOW Gearers tte siete Ts coher eeke tet tias toe eset ce erste Toye See tenet teeters Cacicus cela. e’. Rump chestnut. f- Body black}: se t2 Sie siecoetto aie foresee eke ee era: Ostinops decumanus. 5) Bodyziolive green sera eos sei cette tae, le ee se piseetee Bio Ostinops viridis. 1The females of Lampropsar tanagrinus resemble the males and are black and slightly glossy. 2Neck feathers not expanded in females. 3In the British Museum Catalogue of Birds, XI. 1886. 338, this species is recorded from Caracas, Venezuela, and Trinidad, so it is not improbable that it will be found later in the delta region of the Orinoco, 4Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. 20, designates the Coast of British Guiana as the type locality, The species is found in Trinidad, and Venezuela is included in the habitat given in the Catalogue of Birds, British Museum XI. 1886. 337, so we may confidently expect it in the delta region of the Orinoco. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 203 ce’. If throat is uniform with breast and sides thew general color of under parts is neither black nor brown. d. Throat uniform with remaining under parts. e. Upper parts bright olive yellowish; wings blackish with pale quill edges and two wing-bars formed by pale tips of greater AMLELGITITC GLK COVERES er c¥od)s, cre cakes eveierestie lair ene Pee arenas icone Icterus xanthornus xanthor- nus (juvenal). e7.) tead'vellow;: back, wingsiand tail.black:.........0.....+-.+« Gymnomystax mexicanus. d’, Throat not uniform with remaining under parts. fa eower back/and crissumichestnut../. s.< sie s. 0 ston ds lee ow ses Gymnostinops yuracares : caurensis. e’. No chestnut in plumage. tfeemeDUTOAL MELO Wf 'slaiscatclere so lois’s estes cide © Ge Siew sy aielee's elnapercts Xanthosomus icterocephalus. f’. Throat black. Cet iteadrallvaround: DlaCki aver. aie, fisrcyacei» e458 f)al toys, c'saats als» ote we Icterus icterus. g’. Top of head yellow uniform with back................. Icterus xanthornus xanthor- nus (adult). : GYMNOSTINOPS YURACARES CAURENSIS Todd. Cassicus yuracares Lair. & D’Orb., Syn. Av. H. p. 2; in Mag. Zool. VIII. 1838. Gymnostinops yuracares Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 30. Gymnostinops yuracares caurensis Todd; Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXVI, 1913, 170 (Rio Mocho, Rio Caura, Venez.). The Tring Museum received specimens collected on the Caura River, at Suapure by Klages, and at Nicare by André. None were seen on the Orinoco proper by the writer. OSTINOPS DECUMANUS (Pallas). Xanthornus decumanus Pall., Spic. Zool. Fasc. VI. 1769. p. 1. Ostinops decumanus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 30. This species seemed to be confined to the heavily wooded regions above the falls in the Orinoco and. the equally heavy forests of the delta region. It was not observed by the writer anywhere below the mouth of the river Meta. A number of trees in the vicinity of Maipures and Munduapo were conspicuous by the number of long nests of this species swinging from their branches. Beebe collected a female at Guanoco in the delta region. OstiINops viripis (Muller). Oriolus viridis Miller, Natursyst. Supplement, 1776. p. 87. Ostinops viridis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 30. Klages sent a specimen from the Mato River mouth (on the Caura River) to the Tring Museum and André sent one from Nicare. It was not observed by the writer. 204 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Cacicus CELA (Linnaeus). Parus Cela Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. ed: fo: 1758: p. tom Cassicus persicus Berlepsch, Ibis. 1884, p. 433 (Angostura and Rio Apure). Cassicus albirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 30. Native name Arrendajo. A common bird all along the lower stretches of the river including the delta region, and along the middle stretches, as far as the mouth of the Meta. Also abundant along the lower Caura River. Nesting in colonies and frequenting the nesting- trees throughout the year. The colonies vary in size from half a dozen to seventy-five or eighty nests placed close beside one another and at heights above the ground of from 7.6 m. to 30 m. No single species of tree seems to be preferred; but the tree selected and the height from the ground appears to be determined by the presence of the nest of some species of wasp (most frequently Polybiu liliacea Fabricius), or not uncommonly a nest of stingless bees which forms the centre about which the bird village is built. ‘The most cordial vood-fellowship appears to exist between the birds and their insect neigh- bors. My observations have not indicated any direct relationship between the size of the bird and insect colonies. However, when through accident or natural causes the wasp nests are destroyed or abandoned the sur- rounding bird colonies seem to dwindle in size and are finally also aban- doned. A number of colonies of Arrendajo that I notéd when on the Orinoco in 1897 and 1808, were still in existence in 1905, some flourish- ing, others in decadence and some abandoned. And in every instance where a colony had been abandoned or had decreased in population, the wasp nests were either broken down or had been abandoned. Nesting begins toward the end of the dry season, in April, and continues until June; and what appears to be an intelligent adaptation to circumstances is seen in the finishing of the nests. During the early part of the breeding season, before the rains have begun to come, the nests are almost all open from the top as in the case of our common Baltimore Oriole. As the rains begin to come, after the eggs have been laid, and often the young hatched, the top entrance is gradually roofed over and the nest entrance becomes a bent tube with the opening down- ward. ‘The nests are purse-shaped bags tightly woven from long, tough, narrow-bladed marsh grasses. Some are provided with an inner lining 1See Hellmayr. Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 20. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 205 of soft dead grasses, others are without lining. They average about 38 cm. in length and 15 cm. in diameter, but little constricted at the top. The colonies are frequently so compact that three and four nests may press one against another and actually be woven one to another. Two eggs constitute a set and there is considerable variation in shape and size between the various sets, but not between the eggs of individual sets. In five sets that I have before me there are good ex- amples of ovate, elongate ovate and cylindrical ovate. The measure- ments of the five sets are 26.75 x 18.5 and 27.5 19.5; 27.75x 19 and Peete ace 2b5 47.75, and 38 x L775; 27.25% 18.5 \and. 26x.18.5; 27 x 18.25 and 28.25 x 18.75 mm. The color is white with a faint bluish wash, marked with specks, spots and blotches of chestnut over vinaceous brown. In some eggs the markings are pretty evenly distributed over the entire egg; in others they are almost confined to large blotches in a ring about the larger end. The colors in fresh birds are: eye azure blue; bill pale sulphur yellow ; feet black. CaAcICUS HAEMORRHOUS HAEMORRHOUS (Linnaeus). | Oriolus haemorrhous L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 161. Cassicus haemorrhous Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. This was the only form of Cacicus observed on the Orinoco above the falls of Atures and was found there almost as abundantly as was C. cela on the lower and middle stretches of the river. ICTERUS CHRYSOCEPHALUS (Linnaeus). Oriolus chrysocephalus 1,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 164. Xanthornus chrysocephalus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. Native name Moriche. Specimens were secured in the vicinity of the first falls in the river, at Perico, and from that point onward up stream. I also noted this species in the trees along the river bank at several points below Ciudad Bolivar. It is somewhat remarkable that it was nowhere observed between Bolivar and the falls of Atures. Orioles of this species are much sought after as cage birds by the natives and are sold often at from three to ten dollars each. IcCTERUS AURICAPILLUS Cassin. Icterus auricapillus Cass., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. III. 1847. p. 332. Xanthornus auricapillus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. 206 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Occasionally observed along the middle Orinoco. Among specimens collected at Caicara was a breeding female which was taken June 7, 1808. IcTERUS XANTHORNUS XANTHORNUS (Gmelin). Oriolus xanthornus Gm., Syst. Nat. ed. 13. I. 1788. p. 391. Xanthornus xanthornus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. Native name Gonzalito. The colors in life are, eye seal brown; bill black; feet plumbeous. A female in juvenal plumage, collected at Caicara May 4, 1907, is rich dark olive yellow above, darkest on the back; the wings are blackish, the primaries narrowly edged on the outer webs and the secondaries rather broadly edged and tipped with pale greyish; there are two wing-bands produced by pale tips of the greater and median wing-coverts, that on the greater coverts being buffy and the band on the median coverts shaded with the color of the back; the bend of the wing and under parts are canary yellow (without a sign of the black throat patch of the adults); the tail is dusky olive green. An abundant species; in habits quite like our Baltimore Oriole. In trees where this oriole is nesting are very frequently found nests of one or more species of Flycatchers (Pitangus, Myiozetetes, Legatus, etc.), and not infrequently nests of the Gonzalito will be found close to those of a colony of the yellow-rumped Hangnest, Cacicus cela. ‘The nests aic typical oriole nests, bag-shaped, about 30 cm. long and 10 cm. in diameter at the bottom, slightly constricted at the top. They are usually suspended between forked twigs at the extreme tips of branches. I have found nests within 1.22 m. of the ground, in bushes, and again 15.25 m. up. During my two recent expeditions I noted a number of nests building in small trees over the water that, before the eggs could have been hatched and the young have left the nest, must have been submerged by the rapidly rising river. A nest taken on the 11th of May, 1907; is somewhat unusual, as it is partially supported by an old nest of the same species. which a month earlier contained young yellow orioles almost ready to fly. Through some cause one of the supporting twigs of the old nest had broken, allowing the nest to sag and partially close the entrance. The new nest is supported by the remaining branch of the fork that held the old nest and also by being woven fast to the old nest itself. While there is no proof that both nests were built by the same pair of birds, yet the choice of the same locality, the construction of nests of the CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 207 same relative size and style, and the similarity of the materials employed would all seem to indicate that the orioles had found the locality a desirable one in which to rear a family, and had made preparations for their second brood. This nest was ‘about 7.6 m. from the ground in a large tree standing in a rather thinly wooded savanna region. It contained three fresh eggs; they are elongated ovate in form and in color are white, beautifully marked with dark brown lines and spots over similar underlying pale mauve colored markings, especially about the larger end. They measure 23 x I5; 23.6 x 15.5 and 22.5 x 15.2 mm. A set of eggs sent by the writer to the Tring Museum measure 25.1 x 15.6 and 24.5.x 17.1 mm! A single egg taken with a nest May, 1905, measures 26 x 17.5 mm. and is nearly elongate ovate in form. Deserted nests of this species are often taken possession of for nesting purposes by other kinds of birds such as Sicalis flaveola and the striped Flycatcher, Legatus albicollis. This oriole displays considerable individual taste in the selection of material and in the details of construction of its nests. IcTERUS ICTERUS (Linnaeus). Oriolus icterus L,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 161. pro parte. Xanthornus icterus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 32. Native name Trupial. Adult birds in life have the eye straw yellow, bare skin about eye cobalt blue; bill black, plumbeous at base of the mandible; feet plumbeous. rs Not uncommon, but wary and shy; distributed everywhere along the river at least as far as the mouth of the Meta. Very little has been written regarding the life history of this bird. It is, therefore, with much pleasure that I present the following notes. A nest and set of eggs was collected at Caicara May 4, 1907. The nest had as its foundation the half decayed mass of grasses that had once served, most probably, as a nest of Pitangus sulphuratus rufipennis. Repairs had been made in the roof and a lining of soft grasses had been placed on the bottom of the nest cavity. From the outside there was nothing to indicate that it was more than an old nest long since aban- doned. ‘The entrance, the original one, was on one side but completely hidden from below by surrounding foliage. In the same tree were three other deserted nests of Pitangus, each of which was in a much better state of preservation than the one that the trupial had selected. 1Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 32. 208 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2 @. The set consisted of three eggs in which incubation had begun. The eggs seem somewhat large for the size of the bird; they are elongate ovate in form and measure 28 x 18.75; 28.5 x 18.5 and 27.5 x 18 mm. respectively. In color Yhey are white, with a faint buffy pink shade, rather thickly marked, especially about the larger end, with two or three sets of markings consisting of dots, spots and irregular lines and blotches of brown. ‘The outermost ones are clove brown superimposed on a brown, nearly a burnt umber in shade which overlies an inner set of markings varying in shade. from a drab-brown to a smoke grey. Both parent birds were present and evinced much solicitude for their home. Birds of this species are frequently kept in cages by the natives. In the market place at Ciudad Bolivar they bring fancy prices. GYMNOMYSTAX MEXICANUS (Linnaeus). Oriolus mexicanus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 162. Gymnomystax mexicanus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 32. Native name Maizero. Common from Ciudad Bolivar to the mouth of the Apure. In fresh birds the eye is seal brown, bare skin about eye black; bill black; feet black. ; When I reached Ciudad Bolivar in April (1905), great flocks of these birds were to be seen every morning and evening feeding on a Swampy piece of ground just back of the city. ~ A nest with set of eggs was taken at Caicara, May 8, 1907. It isa somewhat thick walled open cup, or bowl-shaped affair constructed of weed and grass stems and having the nest cavity lined with medium coarse rootlets. The materials are loosely, but neatly woven together. The nest measures inside 5.5 cm. in depth by about 8.5 cm. in diameter ; outside 11 cm. in depth by 17 cm. in diameter. It was in the top of a Chaparo oak amid the thickly tangled branches of a parasitic plant about 6.10 m. from the ground. The eggs, three in number, were fresh. They are between an ovate and a short ovate in form, and measure 20.5 x 20.5; 26x 20 and 26.5x20 mm. In color they are 2 very pale bluish (pale nile blue) marked chiefly about the larger end, with dots, spots and blotches, of brown varying in shade from a clove-brown, the outermost markings, through burnt umber to drab, the latter underlying the darker markings. With these eggs was found a single fresh egg of the Venezuelan Cowbird, Molothrus veneguelensis. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 209 - While the set of eggs and nest above described were being collected both parent birds were present and much excited. No other nests of the species were found in the same neighborhood. In the American ‘Museum is a series of birds of this species col- lected at Maripa on the Caura River by Klages during February, May and June. XANTHOSOMUS ICTEROCEPHALUS (Linnaeus). Oriolus icterocephalus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 163. Xanthosomus icterocephatus Cabanis, Mus. Hein., 1, 1851. p. 189. Agelaeus icterocephalus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 32. Fresh birds have the eye seal brown; bill slate black; feet black. Common in flocks at Altagracia and at Quiribana de Caicara, from November to January; noted at Caicara once in April. An adult female was collected at Ciudad Bolivar in April; an adult male was taken near the mouth of the San Feliz River on the Cuchivero River the 15th of May. Observed in small numbers above the falls of Maipures during December. Klages sent a pair to the American Museum that were col- lected on the Caura River near the mouth of the river Meta in January. STURNELLA MAGNA MERIDIONALIS Sclater. Sturnella meridionalis Scl., Ibis, 1861. p. 179. Sturnella magna meridionalis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 32. Native name Mochila vacia. In life the colors are: eye seal-brown ; bill black above, mandible and basal part of cutting edge of maxilla plumbeous grey, tip of mandible blackish slate; feet drab grey. Com- mon on the savannas. Habits similar to those of our own Meadow- larks. While Sturnella is common on open savanna districts bordering the river all the way from below Ciudad Bolivar to the region above the falls, the birds found on the upper river, from the mouth of the Meta onward, are decidedly smaller and darker colored than those Hola on the middle stretches of the river. LEISTES MILITARIS (Linnaeus). Tanagra militaris L,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. pp. 162, 316. Leistes militaris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 33. Common on the savannas but rather difficult to approach. Not _ observed farther up the river than the mouth of the Apure. 210 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. LAMPROPSAR TANAGRINUS GUIANENSIS Cabanis. Icterus tanagrinus Spix. Av. Brasil. I. 1824. p. 67. Lampropsar guianensis Cab. in Schomb. Reise Brit. Guiana III. 1848. p. 682. Lampropsar tanagrinus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 33. The writer observed this species only on the upper river above the falls of Maipures, where it was common. Beebe on a recent expedition secured a specimen at Guanoco in the Orinoco deltat. However, the species has been previously recorded from the-same point by Hellmayr.* I was informed by the natives that this species builds a hanging nest, similar to those of Cacicus, but was unable to verify the statement. CASSIDIX ORYZIVORA ORYZIVORA (Gmelin). Oriolus orysivorus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 386. Cassidix oryzivorus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 33. A single specimen was taken at Caicara June 28, 1898. Not seen elsewhere. MoLorHRUS BONARIENSIS VENEZUELENSIS Stone. Molothrus venezuelensis Stone, Auk. VIII. 1891. p. 347. Molothrus bonariensis venezuelensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 33. Common in the open country along the lower and middle stretches of the river. At Ciudad Bolivar, in April, it was associating in flocks with Gymnomystax mexicanus and Holoquiscalus lugubris. Three breeding females, as indicated by the active condition of the ovaries, collected at Caicara, one May 15th, another June 12th and the third, June 13th, are almost exactly uniform in size. The measurements of the one taken May 15, 1907 (No. 4861, Brooklyn Institute Museum), being wing 102 mm., tail 78 mm., exposed culmen 17 mm., depth of bill at nostrils 8 mm. Above, the three are also almost of identically the same shade of dusky brownish, the individual feathers being brownish black bordered with dusky greyish; below, the three present a quite distinct appearance. No. 4861 (Bklyn. Inst. Mus.), is greyish hair brown, faintly washed on the breast and sides with olive yellowish 1In the (British Mus.) Catalogue of Birds XI. 1886. p. 389, Trinidad is included in the list of localities. But it is not in Chapman’s list nor in that of Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. pp. 1-60, not even in his hypothetical list. *Revision der Spixschen Typen brasilianischer Végel, Munchen Abh. Ak. Wiss. math.-phys. Kl. 1906. p. 22; Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 46. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION, 211 which blends into the color of the chin and upper throat which is Olive yellow. No. 4862 (Bklyn. Inst. Mus.), is of a somewhat lighter shade of greyish hair brown; the olive yellowish wash is perhaps a trifle more pronounced, but does not extend on to the chin or the throat which is pale, dusky grey. This specimen is further distinguished from the other two examples by distinct dusky shaft stréaks on the feathers of the breast and sides. No. 4863 (Bklyn. Inst. Mus.), is nearly uniform greyish hair brown, with only a trace of olive yellow wash on the breast, and the chin and upper throat scarcely any paler than the belly. Eggs that are believed to be of this species were taken on two occasions. One, with a nest and set of eggs of Gymnomystax mexicanus, was col- lected at Caicara May 8, 1907. This egg was fresh. It is short ovate in form and measures 22x17 mm. It is thickly spotted with brown varying in shade from hazel to dark chestnut; the lighter markings are overlaid by the darker ones of chestnut; about the larger end the whitish ground color is entirely concealed. Two fresh eggs taken at Caicara July 2, 1907, with a nest and set of eggs of Synallaxis cinnamomea, aré short ovate in form and measure 21.5x17 and 21x16.5 mm. ‘They are similar to the single egg described above, but have the entire surface thickly covered with the hazel and chestnut spots but not uniting at any point to conceal the ground color. : HoLoQguiscALUS LUGUBRIS (Swainson). Quiscalus lugubris Sws., Anim. in Menag. 1838. p. 299; Berlepsch & Ilartert,” ph 33: Native name Tordito. During my stay at Ciudad Bolivar in April (1905), large flocks of this species of grackle were to be seen feeding in the same localities with Gymnomystax mexicanus and Molothrus bona- riensis venezuelensis. ‘They are gregarious at all seasons. I found a small colony breeding in a swamp near Caicara early in June. The nests were placed in the tops of small cabbage palms, the Moriches of the natives, four and five nests often in a single tree. The nests are strongly built, first having a foundation of dead leaves and mud, mixed; then there is a superstructure of rather coarse dead grass and weed stems and a lining of moderately fine dead plant tendrils. The outside measurements of a nest now before me which was collected June 3, 1905, 212 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. are about 17 cm. in diameter by 10 cm. in depth; inside it is 7 cm. in diameter by 6 cm. in depth. The eggs, four in number, taken with this nest were fresh. They are typical grackle eggs of a soiled greenish white color, marked with spots, dashes and irregular streaks of blackish brown on an underlying rusty brownish wash. They are ovate in form and measure 25.75 x 18.5; 26.5x 18.5; 25.5x 18.5 and 24.75 x 18.5 mm. Young birds just from the nest were observed on this same date. The colors of fresh birds are: eye straw yellow; bill and feet black. CORVIDAE—THE CROWS AND JAYS. Only two jays have been recorded from the Orinoco region, Cyano-~ corax violaceus and C. cayanus. Xanthura yneas caeruleocephala is re- corded from Trinidad and Venezuela! and is consequently included in the following key. KEY TO THE SPECIES OF CoRVIDAE. a Upper parts of body (except head and neck) uniform green............ Xanthura yneas caeruleo- cephala. a’. Upper parts of green. b; “Raslcuniforms noswhitetips<|-. casera corse ieee eter sie ares te Cyanocorax violaceus. 6 (Tail feathers: tipped with whitest S.6 4). ene cs orn eae ete ier Cyanocorax cayanus. CYANOCORAX VIOLACEUS DuBus. Cyanocorax violaceus DuBus, Bull. Acad. Brux. XIV. 2. 1847. p. 103; Berlepsch, Ibis 1884. p. 438 (Angostura); Berlepsch & Hartert, Pp. 34- Native names Corobero; Chuao. A common species, keeping in the tree tops wherever there is tall timber along the water courses; and frequenting groves of mangos, of whose ripe fruit it is very fond. It is noisy and jay-like in its actions. Colors of fresh birds are: eye seal brown; bill and feet black. A nest and five fresh eggs were taken at Caicara, April rath. ‘The nest was about 9.15 m. from the ground in the top of a tree that stood at the edge of a grove of mangos. It was held between upright forks, was somewhat bulky and constructed of quite large, long, dry twigs with a lining of fine root-like vegetable fibres. It was found before com- pletion and visited daily until the five eggs were laid, these being de- posited on five consecutive days. They are a bluish white, thickly speckled all over with various shades of brown from vinaceous to 1Sharpe, Cat. Birds, Brit. Mus. III. 1877. p. 131. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 213 chestnut, the darker markings overlying the others. Ovate in form, tievepes, medsre: 32.5 x 24.5; 33.25% 24; 34 X 243 33% 24.25 and.32.5 x 24 mm. respectively. CyANOCORAX CAYANUS (Linnaeus). Corvus cayanus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. J. 1766. p. 157. Cyanocorax cayanus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 34. According to Berlepsch and Hartert, Klages obtained specimens at Suapure and André at La Pricion on the Caura. None were observed by the writer on the Orinoco proper. TYRANNIDAE—THE TYRANT-FLYCATCHERS, KINGBIRDS. Sixty-nine species and subspecies of Flycatchers are included in the present list. Several, however, such as Ornithion inerme, Tyrannulus ela- tus, Myiopagis viridicata viridicata, M. gaimardi, M. flovivertex, and M. cinerea might better be placed with the Cotingidae. But as they were included in my original “key” to the flycatchers they are so retained. Many of the flycatchers are conspicuous in the /lanos districts of the Orinoco region, conspicuous alike for their harsh cries, their brilliant colors (particularly bright yellows) and extraordinary nesting habits. As nest builders they have few rivals, certain species constructing deli- cate lichen covered affairs as tiny and trim as those of some humming birds, others whose nests might serve as models for the weaver-birds, and again the great bulky grass nests, such as those of Pitangus, placed in the tree tops are prominent objects in the landscape. But not all are birds of the open Jlanos, many are quiet and retiring both in dress and disposition. These must be sought for in the semitwilight of the thick forest where they flit about, as silent as the shadows, in the under- growth. KEy TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF TYRANNIDAE. Geyballveryalongiand deeply forked © 2) 2h wes ocddatle ceca e Phau. Muscivora tyrannus. a’, Tail not unusually long or deeply forked. bee Chestiparmed with olive Drowns ws fess Ju ten ieee s alae sh arsie ls sustelee’e Onychorhynchus coronatus. b’. Chest not barred. c. Under parts more or less streaked with dusky or blackish. Gm WWAnewless Ghani GOpuitidees sel cee ik setts) s veoiiaieioinistee t ceieraesva Todirostrum maculatum., da’. Wing more than 60 mm. e. A well marked black or blackish auricular stripe. f. Inner web of tail-feathers broadly edged with rufous........ aeooaynasies maculatus macu- alus. f’. Inner webs of tail-feathers not broadly edged with rufous. g. Upper tail-coverts broadly edged with rufous; inner webs of tail feathers not edged withrufous...................- Empidonomus varius. 2’. Upper tail-coverts not edged with rufous; inner webs of tail-feathers narrowly edged with rufous.............. Legatus albicollis. f e’. No black or blackish auricular stripe (im. or@).......... Pyrocephalus rubinus satura- tus. 214 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. , c’. Under parts not streaked. d. Under parts bright red (adult ™)...... A tren a hectic d’. Under parts not bright red. e. Throat, middle of breast and belly nearly uniform white or very pale greyish white. i fj. Wingmore than 90 mim’: 222. misc cece ones eons sera setoeeter f’. Wing less than 90 mm. g. - Wings and tail black (with or without white markings). h. Both maxilla and mandible black to the base; rectrices tipped withswhitec Jonas a eteine wee meets eens Re see aang: pale at base; rectrices not white tipped (fe- TAlG) ich. ise ye A Te arene oe ee Sc g’. Wings and tail dusky brownish or blackish. . e’. Throat, middle of breast and belly not uniform white or very pale greyish white. f~. General color above and below black or slate black. Bs | Headswhitex(nale) eos te tars cto toler vere cxciaree ores tersoee stars ge’. Head not white. h. Outer primaries acuminate... occ. se ciaeleieeice hk. Outer primaries: 7ot acuminate: 5.520 5 -ee/ selene /’. General coler above and below not black or slate black. g. A prominent white or yellow superciliary stripe and wing more than 70 mm. h. Superciliary stripe white. 1. Bit less than 15 mm. from the nostrils to the tip. 97. No bricht coloredicrown patch...2....- 5. «see o- j'. With a bright colored crown patch. k. Inner webs of wing-quills edged (broadly) with EUFOUS AS | ad ican aces erotete ee Seis wise cle n eire Packers k’. Inner webs of wing-quills zot edged with rufous.. i’. Bill more than 15 mm. from the nostrils to the tip. j. Smaller; wing lessithan 100/mm))2.. .9. 101, Pipra aureola Hellmayr, Ibis. 1906. p. 6 (Guanoco, Orinoco Delta). A single specimen of this species, an adult female, was collected at Las Barrancas in the delta region July 31, 1907. It was not observed at other points visited by the writer. It had been previously recorded, however, from Guanoco, also in the Orinoco Delta. TYRANNEUTES STOLZMANNI (Hellmayr). Pipra stolszmanni Hellm., Ibis, 1906. p. 44. (Type ex Marabitanas, Rio Negro)—Nericagua, Orinoco; Suapure, Caura Riv. Pipra virescens (nec. Pelz.) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 53. Collected on the upper Orinoco, at Nericagua, by the writer. Re- ported also from points on the Caura by Berlepsch and Hartert. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 249 MANACUS MANACUS INTERIOR Chapman. Manacus manacus interior Chapman, Bull. A. M. Nat. Hist. XX XIII; 1914; p. 624-625. (Type ex Villavicencio, Colombia.)—Maripa ¢Gaura Riv... Chiromachaeris manacus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 53. A young male taken December 24th, 1898, at Maipures, at the second falls on the river is the only record I have for this species. The American Museum contains a series from Maripa, on the Caura. MACHAEROPTERUS PYROCEPHALUS (Sclater). Pipra pyrocephala Scl., Rev. Zool. 1852. p. 9. Machaeropterus pyrocephalus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 54. Not observed on the Orinoco. Berlepsch and Hartert report speci- mens from [La Pricion on the Caura River. SCOTOTHORUS TURDINUS AMAZONUM (Sclater). Heteropelma amazonum Sclater, P. Z. S. 1860. p. 466 (Chamicuros). Scotothorus amazonum Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 54 (Nericagua, Munduapo, Orinoco River). Scotothorus turdinus amazonum Hellmayr, Novit. Zool., XVII, 1910, Bees 0: Seen only in the thick forest on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. SCOTOTHORUS TURDINUS OLIVACEUS Ridgway. Scotothorus olivaceus Ridgway, Proc. Biol. Soc., Wash., XIX. 1906. p. 118 (Type, Rio ‘Mato, near its mouth, on the Caura River, Vene- zuela, in collection Am. Mus.). ‘ Scotothorus wallacei Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 54 (Nicare and La Pricion, Caura River, Venezuela). Scotothorus amazonum wallacii Hellmayr, Novit. Zool., XIII. 1906, pp. 363-4.(Caura River, Venezuela). S[cotothorus| t[urdinus|] olivaceus Hellmayr, Novit. Zool., XVIL., LOTO;=p. 3H. Not noted on the Orinoco proper, but reported by Berlepsch and Hartert from the Caura River. HETEROCERCUS FLAVIVERTEX Pelzeln. Heterocerus flavivertex Pelz, Orn. Bras., 1870. pp. 125, 186; Ber- lepsch & Hartert, p. 54. 250 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6 H{eterocercus| angosturae Berlepsch & Leverktthhn Ornis. VI.: 1890: 19 (Orinoco). Common about Perico and at Maipures, not noted elsewhere. LANIOCERA HYPOPYRRHA ( Vieillot). Ampelis hypopyrrha Vieillot, Nouv. Dict. VIII. 1817. p. 164. Laniocera hypopyrrha Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 57. This species was noted only once, a male having been taken at_ Nericagua April 5, 1899.“ Berlepsch and Hartert also record specimens from Suapure, La Pricion and La Union on the Caura River. COTINGIDAE—COTINGAS, TITYRAS, ATTILAS, BECARDS, IBANG. x Fourteen species are included in the present paper. Only eleven of that number however were observed or collected by the writer on the Orinoco proper, the other three species were included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper and came from points on the Caura River, but as pointed out in my remarks under Tyrannidae, there are a number of species included under that heading having structural characters that indicate their nearer relationship to the Cotingidae. KEY TO THE SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF GENERA OF COTINGIDAE. a. Tarsus pycnaspidean! or, essentially, taxaspidean.? b. The plantar space on posterior side of tarsus broken up into numer- ous small irregular scutella. c. Rictal bristles strongly developed. ad» ‘Upper part of tarsus/feathered/imifront.”.). 2-5: go... 02 Lathria cinerea. a’. Wipper pakb of tarsusmaked oe ee ee ee Ryn cis cued crete Pyroderus orenocensis. c’. Rictal bristles weak or obsolete. d. Wing not more than 125 mm. d’. Wing more than 125 mm. f. Anaked space about the eye and along the sides of the neck. Gymnoderus foetidus. f’. Loral region and sides of neck feathered. g. With a conspicuous crest on pileum................... Cephalopterus ornatus. ga Pile snot Chested @scee eee terierctste arian ie rere Querula purpurata. b’. The plantar space on each side of posterior half of tarsus with a con- tinuous row of rather large scutella. c. Tail about as long as wing, and all the primary quills normal in Vea ets Cacia See Se Re oted OAS eee She Oe Siattin c oemerecth Xenopsaris albinucha. c’. Tail much shorter than the wing, and the next to the outermost primary in adult male much shortened and with an acuminate tip. d. Width of bill at base not greater than the depth at the same point. Platypsaris minor. d’. Width of bill at base much greater than the depth at base. e. Wing more than 95 mm. : De Nitta eae eecha, CAV aitile ae Samoa Roost Sos on eiben apoMonowcer Erator inquisitor erythrogenys. f. Rectrices rather broadly tipped with white, buffy or rufous. g. Above dark grey, middle of back varied with black (male). Pachyrhamphus atricapillus. g’. Above black or dull or greyish olive. h. Rectrices white tipped (males)..................... Pachyrhamphus polychropterus niger. h’. Rectrices tipped with buff or rufous (females). 1*The broad plantar space on posterior side of tarsus broken up into numerous small irregular or roundish scutella or granules.’’ Ridgway, Bull. 50 U.S. N. M. pt. IV. 1907. 328. 2*The broad plantar space occupied by two or, rarely three, series of smaller, quadrate, rectangular, or hexagonal scutella’’ Ridgway (I. c.) CHERRI£: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 251 t. Above dull olive with head more or less rufescent... Pachyrhamphus marginatus. i’. Head uniform with back (not rufescent)............ Pachyrhamp hus polychropterus niger. f’. Rectrices not broadly tipped with white, buff or rufous. g. Pileum black, blackish or grey, sharply contrasting with general color of the upper parts. h. Above grey, with or without slight olive wash (male) Pachyvrhamphus cinereus. Bie Above tawny: OUVesencc ne eerie Sent cee cise Sees Pachyrhamphus marcidus. g’. Pileum cinnamon rufous nearly uniform with back (female).. Pachyrhamphus cinereus. Tarsus neither pycnaspidean nor essentially taxaspidean. Upper posterior portion of tarsus (near heel joint) conspicuously ser- rate, and basal phalanx only of middle toe adherent, for most of its WEN SEN EORCNEe OUCELSCOE!» cilere cre chia tters: so eve cc sseuuisse. c eileraletere tii aie aaie, ole Lipaugus immundus. 6’. Upper posterior portion of tarsus mot conspicuously serrate, and the middle and outer toes adherent for more than the length of the basal PAA AuwO REM ANAGICLOG a oy c.s tatu eel el cler croc. eveiesdivce 91 oon stare’ steve ete svete Attila wighti.+ aa TITyRA CAYANA (Linnaeus). Lanius cayanus \,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 137. Tityra cayana Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 55. Not common. In ascending the Orinoco this species was noted at various points from Caicara to above the second falls at Maipures, on the upper river. A female collected at Caicara July 3, 1907, was evi- dently nesting as the ovaries were active. ERATOR INQUISITOR ERYTHROGENYS (Selby). Psaris erythrogenys Selby, Zool. Journ., Il. 1826. p. 483. Tityra inquisitor erythrogenys Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. pp. 327-8 (Rio Catafiapo, Perico, Maipures, Orinoco River, Venezuela). Tityra erythrogenys Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 55 (Perico, Rio Catafiapo, Maipures, Orinoco River). ; On my first expedition this species was not observed below the Falls of Atures, but on the last two expeditions it was not uncommon about Caicara. Eye seal brown; bill, maxilla black with slate grey basal cutting edges, mandible slate grey; feet dusky slate. PLATYPSARIS MINOR (Lesson). Querula minor Less., Tr. d’Orn. I. 1831. p. 363. Hadrostomus minor Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 56 (Suapure, Caura River, Venezuela). This species was included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, the Tring Museum having received a specimen from the Caura River. It was not seen by me on the Orinoco proper. The American Museum collection contains specimens from the Caura, received from Klages. 1As far as I know this species (the type of which came from Trinidad) has not been taken at any point along the Orinoco, but future collecting will probably discover it there. 252 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. PACHYRHAMPHUS CINEREUS (Boddaert). Pipra cinerea Bodd., Tab. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 43. Pachyrhamphus cinereus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 56. Eye dark seal brown; bill plumbeous, in the male with the tip of the maxilla black, in the female, tip of maxilla and ridge of culmen black; feet plumbeous. PACHYRHAMPHUS MARCIDUS Cherrie. Pachyrhamphus marcidus Cherrie, Sci. Bull. Bklyn. Inst. Mus. I. 1909. p. 389 (Type?, Las Barrancas, delta region, Orinoco River, Ven- ezuela). Only two specimens secured, both from the same locality, one day apart. PACHYRHAMPHUS POLYCHROPTERUS NIGER (Spix). Pachyrhynchus niger Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1825. 1829. p. 33, Pl. 45, fig. 1. Pachyrhamphus niger Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 56 (Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia, Caicara, Perico and Maipures River, Orinoco; Suapure and: La, Pricion, Caura River, Venezuela): Not uncommon in the low thick underbrush bordering heavy timber on one hand and open savanna on the other. Found all along the river from the delta region at Las Barrancas at least as far as San Fernando de Atabopo above the falls. The food consists apparently of about equal parts of insects and small fruits. In the male the eye is seal brown; bill plumbeous black at tip; feet slate grey; female, eye seal brown; bill above black, mandible whitish at base, slate grey at the tip; feet slate grey. Considerable individual variation exists in the amount of greyish mottling on the under surface, two out of four adult males having narrow ill-defined greyish shaft streaks on the chin and throat. A speci- men from Trinidad has the general under surface lighter grey, but with less distinct mottling. A specimen from Cayenne is nearly uni- form sooty black with very faintly indicated greyish mottling on the belly. The amount of grey on the rump is also extremely variable, in some examples scarce a trace being visible, the rump being nearly uniform black like the back. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 253 PACHYRHAMPHUS MARGINATUS (Lichtenstein). Todus marginatus Lichtenstein, Verz. Doubl. Berliner Mus., p. 51 (1823 —Bahia). Pachyrhamphus atricapillus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 56 (Munduapo, Orinoco River, Suapure and La Pricion, Caura River, Venezuela). ‘A single specimen taken at Munduapo February 27, 1899. Eye seal brown; bill plumbeous with the tip (only) of maxilla black; feet plumbeous. XENOPSARIS ALBINUCHA (Burmeister). Pachyrhamphus albinucha Burm., P. Z. S. 1868. p. 635 (Rio de La Plata, near Buenos Ayres). Xenopsaris albinucha Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. XIV. 1891. p. 479; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 36. Not uncommon along the middle Orinoco from Ciudad Bolivar up asmiaiwat least, as Caicara: Dr. Burmeister following his original description of this species tere.) estates that it: lives in the sedges of the shores of-the Rio de La Plata.” Along the Orinoco I found it to be an inhabitant of the sparsely wooded savanna regions. In habits it is much like Pachyrhamphus, certain species of which it also closely, if superficially, resembles; and one having observed members of that genus, and the present species, in the field, could not wonder at its having been associated with, Pachyrhamphus by its describer. Also, Mr. Ridgway (/. c.) was cer- tainly correct in describing the genus NXenopsaris as pertaining to the family Cotingidae. Berlepsch and Hartert following Dr. Cabanis and Dr. Sclater asso- ciate X. albinucha with the Tyrannidae “in the neighborhood of Cnipo- legus,’ but as pointed out by Ridgway! the tarsus is not exaspidean. It may be of interest to record my observations on the characters of the tarsal covering as seen in fresh specimens of Nenopsaris and of Knipo- lecus. In Xenopsaris the acrotarsium covers the anterior half only. The outer posterior half is covered by a series of scutella that merge, at the upper end, into the papillae covering the heel, and at the lower end into the papillae covered area just above the hallux. On the back of the tarsus are three rows of small irregularly quadrate scutella, those making up the row on the inner side being smallest (papillae like) ; 1Birds of North and Middle America IV. 1907. pp. 776-7 254 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. and between the inner row and the edge of the acrotarsium there is a narrow strip of non-scutellate membrane. The outer toe is longer than the inner one, without claw it reaches to the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle toe; inner toe, without claw, reaches to just beyond the base of the subtermi- nal phalanx of the middle toe. Entire basal phalanx of middle toe united to outer toe, and about one-fourth its length to the inner toe. In Knipolegus the acrotarsium extends entirely across the outside and around on to the back of the tarsus, except at the upper end where the posterior outer half is occupied by three irregularly quadrate scutella. On the inside the acrotarsium extends about half way across at the upper end and almost completely across at the lower end. (in dried skins the two edges of the acrotarsium usually meet!) The heel is covered with roundish papillae, but the remaining integument between the edges of the acrotarsium is non-scutellate. The outer and middle toes are united at the base for the length of the basal phalanx of the outer toe. The inner and middle toes are cleft almost to the base. LATHRIA CINEREA (Vieillot). Ampelis cinerea Vieill., Nouv. Dict. VII. 1817. p. 162. Lathria cinerea Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 57. Native name Pajaro minero. Not observed until above the second falls at Munduapo and Nericagua, where it was abundant, inhabiting he dense forest where it frequents the lower branches of the larger bRees: I shall always remember with pleasure what a thrill of expectancy shot through me when I first heard the clear ringing call of this bird. I was in the dark thick gomales forest (rubber trees) following an Indian trail when I was startled by a loud metallic whistle that seemed to come from directly over my head, high up in the tree tops; in a moment I heard it off to my right, then to my left; first on this side, then on that. ‘Then other clarion calls came from the dense forest all about me, some near, others only faintly heard in the distance. The almost death-like stillness that seemed to pervade the twilight quietude of the forest had suddenly been broken and the air rever- berated with high-pitched, long-drawn whistling calls. It was a new call to me, one that sent the blood coursing with expectancy. I stepped cautiously forward peering intently into the thick canopy of leaves far above me. The calls were most tantalizing and my CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 255 neck ached with the strain of gazing upward when my eye caught a glimpse of a good-sized, dark-colored bird alighting on a bare branch only about 3 meters from the ground and about 9 meters from where I stood. For an instant I forgot the enticing whistles and gave my attention to this quiet dweller of the forest. As I looked the body stiffened and its owner sat up sharply erect, the bill opened and. the mystery of those notes that had so thrilled me and brought every sense into unison was solved. ‘This modestly dressed piper was the master ventriloquist. LIPAUGUS IMMUNDUuS Sclater & Salvin. Lipaugus immundus Scl. & Salv., Nomencl. Av. Neotr., 1773. pp. 57, 159. Lipaugus simplex immundus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 57 (Nericagua and Perico, Orinoco River, Suapure and La Pricion, Caura River). Rare. ‘This species, on my first expedition, was observed and collected at Perico and Nericagua only. Berlepsch and Hartert record Tring Museum examples from La Pricion and Suapure on the Caura River, and in 1907 the writer observed and collected specimens at La Cascabel on the San Feliz River near its junction with the Cuchivero River. . Eye bay brown; bill black; feet slate color. A male collected at La Cascabel, May 26, 1907, has a distinct nar- row greyish collar extending completely around the neck. ATTILA UROPYGIALIS (Cabanis). Dasycephala uropygialis Cab. in Schomb. Reise Brit. Guiana, IIT. 1848. p. 686. Attila uropygialis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 58. This species was not observed on the Orinoco proper, but speci- mens were sent to the Tring Museum from Suapure and La Pricion on the Caura River. QUERULA PURPURATA (P. L. S. Muller). Muscicapa purpurata Miull., Natursyst. Supplement, 1776. p. 169. Querula purpurata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 58. Not seen by the writer but collected by both André and Klages on the Caura River and recorded in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper. PyRODERUS SCUTATUS ORENOCENSIS (Lafresnaye ). Coracina orenocensis Lafresnaye, Rev. Zool. 1846, p. 277 (“Orenoque’”’). 250 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN -2. 6. Pyroderus [scutatus orenocensis| Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XXXIII: 1914: p. 631 (Altagracia, Orinoco Riv.). The recording by Chapman of a specimen collected by M. A. Carriker at Altagracia on the Orinoco confirms Lafresnaye’s type locality “Orenoque.” CEPHALOPTERUS ORNATUS Geoffroy. Cephalopterus ornatus Geoffr., Ann. d. Mus. Paris XIII. 1809. p. 238, PI. 17; Berlepsch & Hartert, p.: 58. After passing the mouth of the river Meta, on my way up the Orinoco, this species was occasionally observed, and specimens were collected at Samborge and Nericagua. They are both difficult to see, and difficult to get, from their habit of keeping to the very tops of the high forest trees. Adults have the eye pearl grey; bill black above, plumbeous below ; feet slate grey. GYMNODERUS FOETIDUS (Linnaeus). Gracula foetida L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1. 1766. p. 164. Gymnoderus foetidus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 58. Native name Pavita. ‘This, like the preceding species, is rarely seen as it keeps to the thick foliage of the tree tops. It was not met with below the mouth of the Meta. RUPICOLIDAE—THE COCK OF THE ROCK. RUPICOLA RUPICOLA (Linnaeus). Pipra rupicola L., Syst. Nat: ed) 12. F-21766: ps 338: Rupicola rupicola Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 58. ; Although no specimens were collected this species was frequently observed about the Maipures rapids on the Orinoco. FURNARIIDAE—THE OVENBIRDS. Accepting Mr. Ridgway’s characterization of the family of the oven- birds!. I find it represented in the Orinoco region by seven genera in which are included fourteen species and subspecies. Members of this family are remarkable for the very unusual character and variety of their nests. 1Birds of North and Middle America V:191I: p. 157. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION, 257 I believe all the species found in our region are permanent residents there. Several of the forest frequenting species such as those that pertain to the genera Philydor, Xenops, and Automolus are commonly found in the small flocks of birds (made up of many unrelated forms) that wander aimlessly about the forests and that are so characteristic of bird life in the tropics. KEY TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF FURNARIIDAE. a. Maxilla with tip not at all decurved; mandible strongly recurved ter- MELE Uy nonce Ne ec ae cen aie, Cre ae a ects ties wicks Mateo ic era ceie Deak Xenops genibarbis. Mee with tip more or less decurved and mandible not recurved ter- minally. b. Nostrils decidedly operculate, opening a narrow longitudinal slit. c. Breast streaked, the feathers with buffy shaft streaks. d. Tail short, slightly rounded; outstretched feet reaching to end of a’. (aah eae moter Se Stn Rao cree EO OREO eich Pa ae aC he ieee in ae Microxenops milleri. d’. Tail long, graduated; outstretched feet falling far short of end of EAL repens Manet as eaten hove ctera te Miah Le teeny ae we RN Nore ae ec Thripophaga cherriei. de Breast feathers without buffy shaft streaks. d. Adistinct, yellow, yellowish, black or blackish chin spot. e. Breast hazel brown—chin and upper throat blackish......... Synallaxisrutilans, e’. Breast not hazel. f. Crown chestnut brown, in sharp contrast with remaining UPPSHIDALLS 1 seat aaron stareray a en Nemes ee teieieie a ckens Micleneenae Siplornis hyposticta. f’. Crown practically uniform in color with back. g. Primary quillswith distal half (more or less) of inner webs blackish, the line between that and the rufous basal por- tion being abruptly transverse= +s. eacr bic oe cease ee Synallaxis cinnamomea. g’. The blackish color of the distal part of the inner webs of the primariesextends welltoward the base of the quills along the shaft, the line between the blackish tips and rufous base extending diagonally across the web of thefeathers.. Synallaxis gujanensis. d’. Chin spot (if present) neither yellowish nor blackish. e. General color of upper parts bright hazel brown (pileum REECE) ee eer Bet Settee ok SRS Bee ee eto we Tons eee Synallaxis vulbina alopecias. e’. General color of upper parts buffy-brown, or olive-brown with rufous wash. fe) bail.brown, nearly winiform with back: ..:2..s...+..+c+.- Synallaxis albescens albigul- aris. f’. Tailnearly walnut brown, not uniform with back............ Synallaxis gujanensis gujan- ensis. b’. Nostrils not operculate (opening not slitlike), rounded, opening upward. c. General color of under parts bright raw sienna................... Philydor pyrrhodes. c’. General color of under parts buffy-brown, olive buff, or dusky tawny olive. : d. Feathers of crown (slightly elongated) and occiput chestnut, very distinct from the rust\raw-umber of the back............ Pisiieet rufipiiea:us conso- rinus. d’, Feathers of crown and occiput nearly concolor with back, not chestnut. e. Avwell defined buffy-yellow superciliary’stripe extending from the billitoithe occiput. throat reed yellow. ...5......l055.45.05. Philydor ruficaudalus. e’. No superciliary stripe, ov, if present, not well developed, and throat not reed yellow. f. General color of under-parts tawny olive brown, paler in the centre; chin and upper throat pinkish buff................ Automolus turdinus. f’. General color of under-parts without tawny shade; chin, throat and middle of breast cartridge buff (Ridgway’s); Sided dusksz0live DiOwseye emer cron on seen rice tae naka Automolus infuscalus cervical- 1S. SYNALLAXIS ALBESCENS ALBIGULARIS Sclater. Synallaxis albigularis Scl., P. Z. S. 1858. p. 63. Synallaxis albescens albigularis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 59. Noted from the delta region at Las Barrancas up as far as the mouth of the Apure River. 258 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. An immature bird collected at Las Barrancas, August 1, 1907, is nearly uniform bistre brown above, the wings and tail dusky brown- ish edged with the color of the back; below, the throat and belly are pale buff washed with ochraceous. Sides of upper breast brownish olive almost meeting across the breast; under tail-coverts, sides and flanks buffy olive; under wing-coverts ochraceous buff. In life the eye was sepia brown; bill above black, below dusky grey; feet dusky pea green. feat The White-throated Spine-tails frequent the almost impenetrable thickets of thorny bushes, vines and stunted trees that spring up in areas which have been cleared for cultivation and later abandoned, and also in localities where the soil seems so poor as to be unable to sup- port anything besides thorny bushes. In habits they remind one somewhat of the wrens. Their flight is weak and when disturbed they only fly a few feet at a time, from one thicket to another, rarely if ever mounting into the tree tops. The breeding season is evidently a long one, as at Caicara I have found nests with fresh eggs the first of May and again in the middle of August. The nests are extraordinary structures from 40 to 50 cm. in length, composed of dry, usually thorny twigs, from 5 to 15 cm. in length, skillfully woven into an upright cylindrical shaped mass with a long tubular entrance to the nest cavity, which occupies the lower half of the cylinder. ‘They are sometimes built within from 3.5 to 15 cm. of the ground among the thorns of low bushes, the foliage of which completely hides the nest. Again, |] have found them 1.22 m. from the ground, above the tops of the surrounding bushes, not in any way concealed, the body of the nest resting in the forks of a low tree and the entrance tube supported along the top of one of the limbs. The twigs at the top of the body of the nest are laid longitudinally so as to form a sort of thatched roof over all. The eggs are a uniform pale greenish in color; and three constitute a full set. A nest, and three fresh eggs taken at Caicara May 9th, was built only about 15 cm. above the ground in a low dwarfed tree, whiose branches bristled with short, thin and exceedingly sharp thorns. It was completely concealed from above and on the. sides by foliage. The nest is constructed entirely of small, dry, and for the most part thorny sticks, from 5 to 12 cm. in length. But, in spite .of the thorns, and the consequent irregular shape of the twigs employed, they are laid together and interwoven with such skill that only very small es CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 259 interstices are to be observed, and considerable force was required to make an opening through the nest walls in order to remove the eggs. This nest, bristling with thorns, and built of strongly interwoven twigs, together with its peculiar shape, would seem to offer an ideal concealment and safe retreat for the eggs and the parent bird during incubation and later for the helpless young. The eggs are a pale greenish in color, ovate in form and measure 19.8 x 12.2; 20.2x 15.5 and 20.5 15.5 mm. A second nest taken on the same date was similar in general shape and in the materials employed in construction, but was some 40 cm. from the ground in the forks of a low tree. It was not, however, in any degree concealed by foliage; and the entrance tube was almost at right angles to the body of the nest, its position doubtless being determined by the supporting limb, while the entrance tube in the example described above entered at an angle of about 45° to the body of the nest. This nest contained three eggs with incubation well advanced. The eggs are uniform in color with the ones above described but are more of a short ovate in form. ‘They measure NOiea2 5 19.3%. 15.5 and 18x 15-5 mm. SYNALLAXIS CINNAMOMEA (Gmelin). Certhia cinnamomea Gim., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 480. Synallaxis cinnamomea Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 59. Found abundantly at Ciudad Bolivar and at various points on the San Feliz River near its junction with the Cuchivero River (and in 1897 very common at Altagracia, half way between Bolivar and Cai- cara), but rarely met with at Caicara. It inhabits the thickets and low bushes bordering streams and ponds. Eye in different examples, varying from a hazel brown to a pale hair brown; bill, plumbeous above, pale below; feet, from a slate to a plumbeous grey. A nest containing two fresh eggs, together with the parent bird,. was collected at Las Guacas on the San Feliz River May 31, 1907. The nest, similar in structure and similarly located to nests of S. a. albigularis, was about 60 cm. from the ground in the centre of a thorny bush. The eggs, a pale greenish or bluish green im color, are ovate in form and measure 19.25 x 14.35 mm. and 19.25 x 14.5 mm, respect- ively. Beebe obtained specimens at Guanoco in the delta region. 260 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. SYNALLAXIS GUJANENSIS GUJANENSIS (Gmelin). Motacilla gujanensis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 988. Synallaxis guianensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 59. This species was not observed on my earlier expeditions, but in July, r907, two adult males were collected at Las Barrancas in the delta region. In the American Museum there is an adult female collected by Klages at La Union on the Caura River, Sept. 26, 1901. Eye dusky brown; bill above black, below slate grey; feet grey. The Tring Museum received specimens from La Pricion on the Caura River. SYNALLAXIS RUTILANS Temminck. Synallaxis rutilans Temm., Pl. Col. 1823. p. 227; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 60. Seen only on the upper river above the falls of Maipures, at Nericagua. Klages and André both collected specimens on the Caura River (Suapure, La Pricion, Nicare and La Union) that were sent to the Tring Museum. ‘There are two females in the American Museum collected by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River, one in September, the other in February. SIPTORNIS VULPINA ALOPECIAS (Pelzeln). Synallaxis alopecias Pelz., Sitz. Akad. Wien, XXXIV. 1859. p. 101. Synallaxis vulpina alopecias Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 59. Common at Ciudad Bolivar and at all points visited along the Orinoco up to and beyond the falls of Maipures. It frequents the thickets bordering streams and ponds. Adults have the eye vandyke brown; bill dark brown above, lilac grey below; feet sage green. A nest and two fresh eggs were collected at Caicara July 2, 1907. One egg of the set was accidentally crushed, the remaining egg is pure, dull white, ovate in form and measures 20x15.5 mm. Three weeks prior to the collecting of the eggs and nest a pair of Fox-red Spine-tails were observed hovering about what appeared to be a mass of drift grass that had lodged between the forks at the top of a slender CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 201 sapling, and that at that time was some 2.13 m. above the sur- face of the water. (The sapling stood in a flooded area and at that level of the water was perhaps one hundred meters from the river shore.) Masses, similar to that at which the Spine-tails were work- ing, are common all along the river and represent in many cases veritable accumulations of drift but quite as often they are doubtless the old nests of such species as Pitangus sulphuratus rufipennis, Myio- setetes cayanensis rufipennis or M. texensis columbianus that have been submerged during the flood season, and impregnated with the fine sedi- ment from the surrounding water. After the waters recede, the mud filled masses of drift become tenanted with many forms of insect life and soon develop into a favorite hunting ground for various species of insect feeding birds that gradually tear them to pieces. often piercing them with tunnels in their search for insect prey. It was such a torn and ragged bit of drift that the Spine-tails laid claim to it as their own spe- cial property. The interior was hollowed out and enlarged, and finally one of the entrances that had formed a part of a tunnel through the nest was closed, some dry soft leaves and wood-fiber were taken in as a foundation for an inner nest lining of grey lichens—the nest was completed but outwardly still looked a mere bunch of drift. While the form of this nest, the materials employed in its general structure and the site chosen all differ widely from the nests of other species of spine-tails that | had opportunity to examine (such as that described under Synallaxis albescens albigularis) there remains, in the use of grey lichens as the inner lining of the nest, a characteristic com- mon to all. Is this use of grey lichens in lining the nest cavity an hereditary custom descended from a distant common ancestor ? Two eggs of the Venezuelan Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis venezuelensis) were found in the nest with those of the Spine-tails. SIPTORNIS HyposticTa (Pelzeln). Synallaxis hyposticta Pelz., Sitz. Akad. Wien, 1859. p. 102. Siptornis hyposticta Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 60. Noted only on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. Speci- mens were also taken at La Pricion on the Caura River by Klages. In the American Museum collection there is a single specimen from La Union on the Caura River, an adult male, collected October 23rd. 262 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. THRIPOPHAGA CHERRIEI! Berlepsch & Hartert. Thripophaga cherriei Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. [X. 1902. p. 60 (Capuano, Orinoco River). The male and female specimens on which this species is based were collected Feb. 5, 1899, at a small Piaroa Indian settlement called Capuano on the opposite side of the Orinoco and about twenty-five miles above the mouth of the river Vichado. The species had not been ob- served on subsequent expeditions. H. von Berlepsch further says :— “This new species, which we have great pleasure to name after its discoverer, Mr. G. K. Cherrie, seems to be quite distinct from any species described hitherto. In its uniform upper surface it 1esembles somewhat Th. fusciceps Scl. from Bolivia; but it is a much smaller bird, and has a dark orange-rufous mark on the upper part of the throat wanting in that species. “The upper parts of the body in the new species are of a dark olivaceous brown with a rufescent tinge, which is not observable on the pileum, this being of a paler olivaceous brown. The under parts of the body are of a much clearer olivaceous brown with a fulvescent tinge. The lower throat, the upper breast and the sides of the head show a narrow and sharp creamy buff stripe in the middle of each feather, which is widening a little to the tip of the feather. The large mark on the upper throat is of a dark orange rufous color. The upper surface of the wings is of a dark but vivid rufous brown. The tail, with the upper tail-coverts, is of a bright chestnut. The under wing-coverts are cinnamon, and the inner margins of the remiges are fulvous brown. Tie upper mandible and the legs are dusky brown, the under mandible is yellowish. “Capuano: ¢ adult in much worn plumage, @ 5. 11., 99. “Tris wood-brown; feet sage-green; bill above dusky smoke-grey, below pale grey.’ 1As I believe, the type (an adult female), anda male taken at the same time, are still the only specimens in existence in museums, I reproduce herewith the original description :— “Thripophaga cherriei, sp. nov. (Pl. XII, f. 2). ‘‘Thy. corpore supra obscure rufescente olivaceo-brunneo, absque striis vel maculis, pileo pallidiore magis olivaceo, corpore subtus cum capitas lateribus clariore fulvescente olivaceo brunneo, collo inferiore, pectore capitisque lateribus striis angustis definitis fulvescenti-albis instructis, macula magna in gula superiore intense aurantio-rufa, alis extus obscure castaneo-brunneis, cauda tectricibusque supracau- dalibus obscure castaneis, tectricibus subalaribus cinnamomeis remigibus intus fulvo-brunneo marginatis; maxilla pedibusque corneis, mandibula flavescente. oO al. 67, caud. 68, culm. 14%, tars. 19 mm. OF 665 8 a8 105 or Aba feel, mm. “Habitat: circum Capuano, Rio Orinoco. “‘Typus: in Mus. H. von Berlepsch (co 5. ii. ’99).” CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 263 “(Nos. 11834, 11835, Cherrie coll.). “The female is like the male, save that the back is slightly more rufous, and the longitudinal marks on the chest are more fulvescent. It is also a little smaller.” AUTOMOLUS TURDINUS (Pelzeln). Anabates turdinus Pelz., Sitz. Wien, 1859. p. 110 (Brazil). ‘Automolus turdinus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 61. Seen only at Munduapo. Two males taken in February. AUTOMOLUS INFUSCATUS CERVICALIS (Sclater ). Philydor cervicalis Sclater, P. Z. S., 1889. p. 33. (Bartica Grove, Cama- cusa, British Guiana). . Automolus sclateri Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 61° (Nericagua, Orinoco River, La Pricion, La Union and Nicare, Caura River, Venez.). Automolus infuscatus cervicalis Scl.; Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1g06. p- 335. Caura River and Orinoco River, Venezuela; British Guiana. Observed only on the upper Orinoco. Male and female (adults) taken at Nericagua during March. Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens from La Pricion, La Union and Nicare on the Caura River. Three specimens, two males and a female, collected by Klages at La Union on the Caura River, are in the American Museum. These specimens have the crown of the head slightly rufescent in contrast with the olive brown back which serves at a glance to distinguish them from a specimen from the upper Amazon—a true A. infuscatus. PHILYDOR PYRRHODES (Cabanis). Anabates pyrrhodes Cab. in Schomb., Reise Brit. Guiana, III. 1848. p. 689. Philydor pyrrhodes Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 62. Not uncommon on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. Not observed elsewhere. PHILYDOR RUFICAUDATUS (d’Orb & Lafr). Anabates ruficaudatus Lafresnaye et d’Orbigny Syn. Avy. II: 1838: p- 15 (Bolivia). In the American Museum collection there is a specimen from the foot of Mt. Duida, collected by Miller & Iglseder. 264 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. _ PHILYDOR RUFIPILEATUS CONSOBRINUS Sclater. Philydor consobrinus Scl. P. Z. S. 1870. p. 323 (Bogota). Philydor consobrinus rufipileatus Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1GO02:.p: Or Philydor rufipileatus consobrinus Hellmayr Verh. Zool.—bot. Ges. Wien. LAL: 1903. ‘p. (220; (River Canra;, Veuez2): Recorded from the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert and by Hellmayr. Not observed on the Orinoco proper. XENOPS GENIBARBIS Illiger. Xenops genibarbis Ill., Prodr. Orn. 1811. p. 213; Berlepsch & Hartert, iO Oe PAF ; Not noted until after passing above the falls of Atures; common from that point onward. Specimens were collected at Munduapo, Nericagua and Maipures. Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens from La Union, Nicare and Suapure on the Caura River. MIcROXENOPS MILLERI (Chapman). Microxenops milleri Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XXXIII: 1914: 196 (Foot of Mt. Duida, Upper Orinoco, Venez.). Type in collection of American Museum. DENDROCOLAPTIDAE—THE WOODHEWERS. Twenty-six species and subspecies were included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, twenty-three of which number were collected by the writer on the Orinoco proper and three received by the Tring Museum from points on the Caura River. As was to be expected, as with the Furnariidae, the greatest num- ber of species and of individuals was found in the heavily forested regions above the cataracts of Atures and Maipures. KEY TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF DENDROCOLOPTIDAE. a. _ Nostrils narrow and elongated with a distinct operculum. b. Tips of rectrices strongly decurved. c. Bill wedge-shaped, tip of maxilla flattened (horizontally). d. Throat pale ochraceous-orange; brown of back less intense ap- proaching Dresden-browne-) eee seer eee nee Glyphorhynchus cuneatus cuneatus. ite Throat dark ochraceous-orange; brown of back more intense ap- Proaching Brusselsebrowieee eens eee eens aoe Glyphorhynchus cuneatus cas- telnaudi. ’, Billslender, not wedge-shaped, tip of maxilla pointed ............ Stitasomus amazonus. Cc. ei CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 205 b’. Tips of rectrices very slightly or not at all decurved. ce. Lores and chin buffy gray, general color of under parts a dark Isabella color (Ridgway’s Color Standards), wing usually more Cara VOMIT «3c. ors ee Bia ereuabe wie ane ete Me eet ace coe Re ae Soa Dendrocincla olivacea phae- ochroa. c’. Lores dusky gray, chin whitish, general color of under parts brown- ishyolive, wing usually less than 1oO°mm...:.4...0.0.-.scnecee see Dendrocincla merula. a’. Nostrils rounded, operculum indistinct or absent. 6. » Billvery long and’ slender and much curved... 2.022... .0iseeee cscs Campylorhamphus . trochilir- ostris. b’. Bill not unusually long, slender or much curved. c. Back not marked with pale or buffy shaft lines or stripes (at least not indicated on more than anterior part of mantle and then in combination with a whitish bill). d. Top of head zot marked with shaft lines or spots. ......... Xtphocolaptes major. d’. Top of head distinctly marked with shaft lines or spots. e. Feathers of back marked with indistinct transverse dusky bars Dendrocolaptes certhia. e’. Feathers of back without any indication of transverse bars. f. Large, total length more than 25 cm.; wing more than 120 TUN ee EPPA TR, ce ea vate cna cueg ERO oo et ak ee drone URE Nasica longirostris. aft Smaller, “total length less than 25 cm.; wing less than 120 mm. g. Crown marked with narrow, pale, buffy shaft streaks.... Dendroplex picus picus. g’. Crown marked with broadly guttate buffy shaft spots.... Dendroplex picirostris. Back distinctly marked with buffy shaft lines or stripes, bill blackish. d. Under parts, including under tail-coverts, with distinct, well defined, pale, buffy streaks Ree Rhone FeLi ucts est stoes Lvsnctemo ate ea Picola ptes aibolineatzus. (le Streaks on under parts,7zf extending to crissum and under tail- coverts, tien not distinct or well defined. e. Feathers of chin and upper throat narrowly edged with dusky or blackish. f. Distance from nostrils to tip of bill greater than length of Cs tarsus. g. Chin and upper throat whitish or pale buffy, cutting edge of maxilla distinctly decurved at thetip................ Xiphorhynchus jardinei. g’. Chin and upper throat ochraceous buff, cutting edge of MAMMAL WAS LAL Plc sw pameche see elake ius a thetaciene creteiotacct Xiphorhynchus pardalotus. jf’, Distance from nostrils to tip of bill mot greater than length CUDA GIS IH aed svat tarchoee iteetars tee ticta ca a aah ota Voveoee nveteyaict oxen aisha lbue Xiphorhynchus obsoletus no- 2 talus. e’. Feathers of chin and upper throat zot edged with dusky or blackish. f. Under tail coverts strongly washed with rufous............ Ree eepaeiclias gultatus gut- tatoides. f’. Under tail coverts uniform with abdomen, faintly, or not at dlivwasinediwiplir lous wae yv.e pet enn tuercis eyetetePal a creer siies al sat Xiphorhynchus susurrans. SITTASOMUS AMAZONUS Lafresnaye. Sittasomus amazonus Lafr., Rev. Zool. 1850. p. 509, 590; Berlepsch & Pairtert, _p. 02. Sittasomus sylviellus amazonus Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XVII: 1911: 323 (Caura, Venezuela). Not observed by the writer, but Berlepsch and Hartert record it from Suapure on the Caura River. GLYPHORHYNCHUS CUNEATUS CUNEATUS (Lichtenstein). Dendrocolaptes cuneatus Licht., Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1820. p. Zone El #2 xis 2. Glyphorhynchus cuneatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 62. Common at the falls of Maipures and beyond. Specimens were collected at Maipures, Nericagua, Munduapo and Capuano. Ber- lepsch and Hartert record specimens from Suapure, La Pricion and Nicare on the Caura River. 266 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. GLYPHORHYNCHUS CUNEATUS CASTELNAUDI Des Murs. Glyphorhynchus castelnaudi Des Murs, Voy. Casteln. Ois. 1855: p. 47 (Santa Maria, Perm): Chapman (MS) has identified four examples from the foot of Mt. Duida (upper Orinoco) as pertaining to this race. XIPHORHYNCHUS GUTTATUS SORORIA (Berlepsch & Hartert). Dendrornis rostripallens sororia Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. 63 (Type, Maipures, Orinoco River). D{[endrornis| guttata sororia Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV: 1907: 59 (Orinoco and Caura rivers). This new form of Woodhewer was first observed at Quuiribana de Caicara, where two specimens were taken in April, 1898; but it was rarely seen until beyond the falls of Atures, beyond which point it was abundant. In habits it did not seem to differ from its con- geners, being strictly a bird of the thick forest. Specimens were collected at Quiribana de Caicara, Bichaco, Perico, Maipures and Munduapo, also one is included by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure on the Caura River. In the American Museum collection are two specimens taken by Klages on the Caura River; a male at Maripa, January 24th and a female at La Union, September 26th. XIPHORHYNCHUS GUTTATUS GUTTATOIDES (Lafresnaye). Nasica guttatoides Lafresnaye Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1850: 387 (Lorette, Peru); Dendrornis rostripallens sororia Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX: 1902: 63 (in part—Nericagua, Orinoco). . Dendrorms guttata guttatoides Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV: 1907: 59 (Nericagua; crit.). The American Museum collection contains specimens from the foot of Mt. Duida. XIPHORHYNCHUS SUSURRANS SUSURRANS (Jard.). Dendrocolaptes susurrans Jardine, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XIX. 1847. p. 81. Dendrornis susurrans jardinei Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 30 (Orinoco delta, Guanoco). CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 267 Beebe collected two specimens at Guanoco, in the delta region, that are inseparable from the Brooklyn Museum series of X. susurrans susurrans from Carenage, Trinidad. The characters cited by Hell- mayr in his Birds of Trinidad as distinguishing the birds of the Orinoco delta from those of Trinidad, do not seem to be constant, one of Beebe’s specimens having the throat as whitish (not buff) as any example from Trinidad. Beebe’s other specimen showing con- siderable buff on throat and remaining light spots on under parts is readily matched by ‘Trinidad specimens. This species was not observed by the writer. XIPHORHYNCHUS LINEATOCAPILLUS (Berl. & Lever.). Dendrornis lineatccapilla Berlepsch and Leverkuhn, Ornis, 1890: p. 24 (-[ype ex Angostura, Orinoco). I have not seen examples of this species. XIPHORHYNCHUS PARDALOTUS ( Vieillot). Dendrocopus pardalotus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XX VI. 1818. p. 117. Dendrornis pardalotus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 64. Rare, seen only on the upper river where three specimens were taken during March and April at Nericagua. Berlepsch and Hartert report specimens collected at Suapure and ata Pricion on the Caura- River. The American Museum collection contains specimens from La Union and Suapure on the Caura River that agree with Brit. Guiana specimens. There are also examples from the foot of Duida (Miller Col.). XIPHORHYNCHUS OBSOLETUS NOTATUS (Eyton). Picolaptes notatus Eyton, Contr. Orn. 1852. p. 26 (Rio Negro, apud. Berl.é:- Platt: ; Dendrornis obsoleta notata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 64. Rare on the lower Orinoco from Altagracia and Caicara up as far as the first falls, but common from the vicinity of Maipures onward. On the 1907 expedition, observed and collected on the San Feliz River near its junction with the Cuchivero River, and included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper from Suapure and La Pricion on the Caura River. In the American Museum are Caura River specimens collected by Klages at Suapure and the mouth of the Malo River. 268 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Eye seal brown; bill above dusky fawn color, below ecru drab; feet olive greenish or greenish gray. DENDROPLEX PICUS PicUS (Gmelin). Oriolus picus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 384. Dendroplex picus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 65. Three taken at Ciudad Bolivar, two females April 13th, male, April 14th. On my previous expedition not observed until I had reached Perico in the neighborhood of the falls of Atures. DENDROPLEX PICIROSTRIS (lLafresnaye). Dendrocolaptes picirostris Lafr., Rev. Zool. 1847. p. 76. Dendroplex picirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 65. Not uncommon in the heavily timbered areas bordering the river. Observed and collected at Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia and Caicara. Specimens display a considerable variation in color, especially on the under parts, where the throat in a female, taken April 29th, is a deep buff; in the male, taken May 8th (both collected at Caicara), it is a pale cream color. All display a reddish brown wash on the belly, very prominent in the male taken June 3rd and faintly indi- cated in the one taken May &th. A set of three fresh eggs, together with the male parent bird, was taken May &th. The eggs are white, without gloss and between an elliptical oval and an oval in form and measure 27.2 x 20.2; 25.5 X 19.6 and 26.5 x 20.2 mm. The nest was at the bottom of the hollow centre of an old stump, about 40 cm. down. No nesting material had been carried in. A second set of two eggs was taken with the parent bird (female) May 11th. One of these eggs is elliptical ovate and the other ovate in form. They measure: 28.3 x 19.6 and 27.5 x 20.5 mm. This nest was at the bottom of a natural hollow in a tree trunk about 1.25 metres from the ground. Bits of rather thick bark from 15 to 50 mm. across had been carried in to fill up the lower part of the cavity which communicated with a hollow at the foot of the tree. The eggs were about 40 cm. down from the opening and I obtained them by digging out the bottom of the nest! June 3rd I noted that the lower part of the hole in this tree had again been filled with bits of bark. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 269 On going a little nearer, a Woodhewer of this species, a male, flew from the opening and examination revealed three fresh eggs at the bottom of the cavity. These eggs are slightly smaller than the two preceding sets, short ovate in form, and measure 24.4 x 19; 23.6 x 19 and 23 x 19 mm. XIPHOCOLAPTES ORENOCENSIS Berlepsch & Hartert. Xiphocolaptes orenocensis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. [X. 1902. pe os Four specimens of this interesting new species were taken, three at Munduapo and one at Nericagua. No others were seen. PICOLAPTES ALBOLINEATUS (Lafresnaye). Dendrocolaptes albolineatus Lafr., Rev. Zool. 1846. p. 208. Picolaptes albolineatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 66. This species is not common but found all along the lower and middle stretches of the river as far as the mouth of the Apure River. Eye seal brown; maxilla blackish at base, ecru drab at tip, mandible pale grey; feet dusky pea green. A female taken at Ciudad Bolivar April 15th had a nearly devel- oped egg in the oviduct. NASICA LONGIROSTRIS ( Vieillot). Dendrocopus longirostris Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XX VI. 1818. p. 117. Nasica longirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 66. Not uncommon on the upper river at the first falls and beyond. CAMPYLORHAMPHUS TROCHILIROSTRIS (Lichtenstein). Dendrocolaptes trochilirostris Licht., Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1820. me 207. Ph 2: 1For the benefit of those who may not have access to the Novitates Zoologicae, I reproduce the original description and observations on this species. **Xiphocolaptes orenocensis sp. noy. ‘*X. corpore supra obscure olivaceo rufo-brunneo, pileo nigrescente, pilei nuchaeque plumis lineis angustis fulvo-albis scapalibus instructis; gula rufescenti alba, corpore inferiore relique capitisque lateribus {ulvescenti rufo-brunneis, colli inferioris pectoris ventrisque superioris capitisque laterum plumis stria mediana fulvo-alba signatis, abdominis medii plumis maculis pogonio utroque tribus nigris (fasciis instar) praeditis, alis caudaque obscure castaneis, rostro albo-corneo. “Habitat: in vic. locorum Nericagua et Munduapo dictorum, Orinoco. “Typus: in Mus. Tring o& Nericagua, no. 12484 (Cherrie coll.) * * * This quite distinct new species has a very long and powerful bill, agreeing in form nearly with that of X. major, while in its colora- tion it resembles most X. promeropirhynchus, differing, however, in its darker back, and the more rufous prow less olivaceous tint of the lower parts of the body, as well as in the much darker chestnut of its tail and wings. ““(X. emigrans of Central America is smaller, and is easily distinguished by the much lighter tail, while the color of the upper surface is not so very different).”” : 270 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. NXiphorhynchus trochilirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 67. Rare. Observed only in the belt of heavy forest bordering the river. Specimens taken at Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. Eye dark sepia brown; bill hazel brown; feet olive green. DENDROCINCLA MERULA (Lichtenstein). Dendrocolaptes merula Licht., Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1820. p. 208. Dendrocincla merula Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 67; Oberholser, Proc. Ac. Nat. Scr Phila. L V1; 19045) p: 450: (Suapure)- Rare, observed and collected at Munduapo and Nericagua on the upper river. In the American Museum collection are specimens taken at Suapure on the Caura River by Klages. Berlepsch and Hartert also record it from Suapure and as well as from Nicare on the Caura River. DENDROCINCLA MERULOIDES PHAEOCHROA Berlepsch & Hartert. Dendrocinda |sic| phaeochroa Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 67 (Type, 6 Munduapo, Orinoco River). Dendrocincla olivacea phaeochroa Oberholser, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. LVI. 1904. p. 458 -(Suapure, La Union, Caura skier Venezuela). D{[endrocincla| meruloides pheochroa Hellm. P. Z. S. Pt. IV: 1911: p. 1156. This species is closely related to D. merula but while the other is rare this is the common Dendrocincla of the region. Observed only on the upper river. As there are probably many who do not have access to Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper, I have thought it might be worth while to re- produce their original description and remarks on this species which are given below!. ‘“Dendrocinda phaeochroa sp. noy. 1*T)_D. meruloides (Lafr.) dictae affinis, sed paulo major et corpore supra subtusque obscure olivaceo- brunneo, minus rufuscente tincto, necnon gula sordide albescente (nec gula collo concolore) distinguenda. “oo al. 108, 109; caud. 94; culm. 29; tars. 24’%mm. “ 0 Qal. 106, 107, 108; caud. 86, 8614, 87; culm. 2834; tars 2414 mm. “Typus: o', Munduapo 10. ii., 99 (no. 118095 Cherrie coll.) “Hab. Ad flumina Orinoco et Caura dicta. “This new species differs from D. meruloides from Venezuela (Cumana, San Esteban, etc.), in its less reddish, darker and more olivaceous brown color, its distinctly whitish upper throat and slightly larger dimensions. It differs from D. merula, which occurs in the same localities, by its larger bill with a brownish, less blackish upper maxilla, more olivaceous, less rufous upper wing-coverts, lighter color above and below, less contrasting, less chestnut-rufous under tail-coverts, and paler under wing-coverts and lining of the quills. “Tt is most interesting to find D. merula and D. phaeochroa in the same localities. Hartert hesitated for some time to recognize them as two species, but he is now, together with Berlepsch, fully convinced of the correctness of their differentiation.” CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 271 DENDROCOLAPTES CERTHIA (Boddaert). Picus certhia Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 38. Dendrocolaptes certhia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 68. Common on the upper river. Observed from near the mouth of the Meta River up as far as specimens were collected at Malaben, Nericagua and Munduapo. Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens collected at Suapure, Nicare and La Pricion on the Caura River. FORMICARIIDAE—ANT-THRUSHES. Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper listed forty-two species and sub- species as representatives of sixteen genera. Of that number, the writer collected twenty-eight species and subspecies pertaining to four- teen genera, on the Orinoco proper. _ Fifty-six species and subspecies are included in the present list, and there is no doubt that a good many more will be added to the list as soon as careful collecting will have been done throughout the entire re- gion. As was to have been expected, since the Ant-thrushes are chiefly birds of the thick forest, members of this family were not found abundantly either as species or as individuals, until after we had pene- trated to the heavily forested regions of the upper Orinoco. In all my experience as a collector, I have learned but little regard- ing the nesting habits of birds of this group and regret to be able to add so little at the present time. Kery TO GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF FORMICARIIDAE. a. ‘Second phalanx of middle toe entirely free from outer toe; acrotarsium more or less distinctly scutellate (at least on inner side).’’! b. Posterior edge of planta tarsi rounded (not booted)................. Rhopoterpetorquata torquata. b’. Posterior side of planta tarsi with a sharp edge. c. ‘‘Nostrils oval or rounded and without operculum (or if present not well developed) or other adjacent soft membrane. ’’? d. Conspicuously barred above and below. e. Crown and occiput uniform black or hazel brown (no white basesito/crownior occiput feathers) <0: 5. snes Pe ee eae as Cymbilaimus lineatus lineatus. e’. Crownand occiput black, feathers with white bases.......... o'Thamnophilus doliatus. d’. Not conspicuously barred either above or below. e. Wing coverts without white tips or other markings (males of T. murinus have nearly obsolete small pale tips to wing coverts), and usually uniform with outer edges of quills. f. Wing more than 65 mm. CES MUONTS CS Pye vey Ges ohh Sra Aa ee Re a a 2 Taraba major albicrissa. 1From Ridgway’s “‘ Key to the Genera of Formicariidae”’ Birds of N. and M. Amer. V.: 1911: p. 10. Ridgway l. c. (Cymbilaimus, Pygiptila, Hypolophus, Thamnophilus, Sclateria,° Erionotus, Rhopochares, Dysithamnus.) °Mr. Ridgway in his ‘‘key”’ to the Formicariidae placed Sclateria tentatively in the section having the second phalanx of the middle toe partly united to the outer toe and the acrotarsium fused, but I find in the two forms examined (S. argentata and S. schistacea saturata) that the second phalanx of the middle toe is entirely free from the outer toe and the divisions of the acrotarsium are not obsolete. 272 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. ’ ge’. Under parts not white. h. General color of under parts slate gray............... oO Dysithamnus ardesiacus ar- desiacus. h’. General color of under parts ochraceous buff (it may be clear or dusky). | f i. Upper parts bright hazel brown, or olive brown. 7 eeliazellbrowimabOve:.n\.4 a eldoereierenaareios 9 Thamnophilus doliatus. 4/.< Olive ibrowniabOvVel.arccucoeo nar Cane eee 2 Dysithamnus ardesiacus sat- uUrninus. tJ pperpartsislatecolormens seer ete ne Oe eee oPygiptila stellaris. jf’. Wing not more than 65 mm. g. Genera! color above gray (slate gray or olive gray). h. Middle of belly pale yellowish...................... SDysithamnus affinis andrei. h’. Middle of belly pale grayish (whitish) ............... oS Thamnophilus murinus. g’. General color above olive or olive brown and crown and occiput tawny olive. h. Larger, tail # as long as wing or more; under parts Dalejbuthysbrowmishie ns cic otis goes doe dadsos 2 Thamnophilus murinus. h’. Smaller, tail less than ¢ as long as wing; under parts pale grayish; buffy yellowish oncrissum............. 2 Dysithamnus affinis andrei, Ce Wing coverts with distinct white or buffy tips, or other pale wing markings. f. General color below white (immaculate) ; above black f’. General color below not immaculate white. 2.e Head alliroundandithroatiblack. 7. eens econ sere ee SH ypolophus canadensis trin- ttatis. De het o&'Taraba major albicrissa. g’. Sides of head and throat not black. h. General color of under parts a uniform gray (in shade varying from pale neutral gray to slate gray). i. Tertials and inner secondaries edged or tipped, or both, with white or pale gray. j. Crown and occiput black. k. Primary coverts narrowly tipped with white.... Hrionotus naevius naevius. k’. Primary coverts not tipped with white. . Erionotus insignis. j’. Crown and occiput slate gray or gray mixed with hazelibrownlCoulna) res es cece iene err eee eae oi and Sim. Erionotus cine- reiceps. , i’, Tertials and inner secondaries not tipped and edged (on outer webs) with white or pale grayish. j. Nearly uniform slate grayish above, no black on crown, wing-coverts with very small whitish apical Bo eSDOUSe EE rie ee eee ee ere re SThamnophilus murinus. j’. Crown and nape black (and more or less black on ; theinterscapulars) ieee nia ie eee o'Pygiptila stellaris. h’. General color of under parts not uniform grayish. 1. Chin, throat, and upper breast bright tawny ochrace- OUS 2 face riecate Una tate aie Tae GaSe ee OE ee 2 Thamnophilus amazonicus. i’. Under parts in general a uniform pale buff or tawny ochraceous; or striated with white on a gray ground, or buffy brownish ona grayish white ground. j. Tail cinnamon brown. k. White tip to tail-feathers confined to inner web except on two outermost rectrices (outer face of posterior half of tarsus with more or less oval scutes not closely joined to oneanother)....... Qor & (im) Erionotus in- signis. k’. White tips to rectrices larger and not confined to inner webs of quills (outer face of posterior half of tarsus with nearly quadrangular scutes unit- ing with those from the opposite side in a sharp ridge) Fe Ss Oe a ene Been 2 Erionolus naevius naevius. j’. Tail black or blackish brown. k. With an occipital crest; crown and ecciput chestnut, sharply different in color from back.. 2 Hypolophus canadensis trin- itatis. k’. Nooccipital crest,and color of crownand occiput not different from back. 1. Slate gray (deep neutral gray) or slate black above. m. Smaller, wing less than 75 mm.; upper partsideep netlttral'gray.......5......c0+-> o'Sclateria argentata. m'. Larger, wing more than 75 mm.; upper partsislate black aan cnc sre oes we es Gi o'Sclateria schistacea cauren- SIS. l’. General color above rufescent brown or mum- my brown. 1T do not know of any records in the immediate Orinoco valley, but there is a good series from Cristobal Colon, Paria Peninsula (American Museum Collection),and as the type comes from British Guiana the species is probably found in intermediate localities. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 273 m. Larger, wing more than 75 mm.; top of head slate gray in sharp contrast with color OL DAC Sty ae inte oreo Ook tae ee ren Cee fe) Sclateria schistacea cauren- sis. m’, Smaller, wing less than 75 mm. and top of head uniform with back. ; . Q Sclateria argentata. c. ‘‘Nostrils more or less narrow and longitudinal, more or less dis- tinctly operculate, or if broadly oval or roundish the remainder of nasal fossae occupied by membranous integument.’’! (Myrmother- ula, Myrmopagis, Microrhopias, Herpsilochmus, Ramphocaerus, Cercomacra, Thamnomanes Myrmoborus, Hypocnemis, Hapalocer- cus, Myrmeciza, Mvrmoderas, Formicarius). ad. pilllonsandislender,asilongias head 9% 25 .cisctea. oe eee oe cle Ramphocaenus melanurus trin- italis. d’. Bill not unusually long and slender, ot as long as head. e. Outstretched feet reaching little if any beyond the tips of the MUGETStAICOVELtS Mcig omic eran ora. oh cla Tau ne ic Seren eer Thamnomanes glaucus. Outstretched feet reaching much beyond the end of the under tail coverts. f. A restricted, sharply defined, buff colored area at the base of the inner webs of the wing-quills. g. Entire top of head, forehead, crown and occiput rufous (the crown feathers tipped only with rufous)............ Formicarius ruficeps. g’. Wide frontal band black, crown and occiput rufous...... Formicarius colma colma. f’. No restricted, sharply defined buff colored area at base of inner webs of wing-quills. g. Distance from tips of under tail-coverts to tip of tail not greater (usually less) than length of bill, avd lower back not marked with rounded white or buffy spots. h. Sides of face, lores and auriculars black. i. With broad frontal and superciliary stripe, white in ’ males, rufous in females (no concealed white dorsal e’. SHIOU) aha avah Arevobie se aiden ac sta cee rye ae aria halle zhaie eae wots Myrmoborus leucophrys leuco- bhrys. i’. No frontal band and superciliaries narrow (a con- cealedi whitedorsal'spopasetaa. sae ee es eens Mvyrmoborus myotherina my- otherina. h’. Sides of face not black. i. Tertials and secondaries with cinnamon buff tips.... Myrmotherula guttata. i’. Nocinnamon buff tips to tertials or inner secondaries. j. General color of under parts gray and throat prac- tically uniform with breast. Re slatesorayubelowerosnseesicrn cca eho cce role ears oo Myrmotherula cinereiven- tris cinereiventris. ; Reosbigheneutral. erayabelowin cia ert oe eee ce oS Myrmotherula cinereiventris pallida. j’. General color of under parts (gray) in sharp con- trast with black or white throat; or with head and back conspicuously striated. k. Breast gray. I. A white shoulder patch. m. Tail-feathers narrowly tipped with white.. co'Myrmotherula longipennis. iin qlalllnopwhitecipped: ste ee eae tee OM yrmopagis schisticolor. (ae Nowwhiteshouldenpatchinascerticacie cle ca cle Myrmoborus melanopogon. k’. Breast not gray; and head and back striated. 1, General color of under parts yellow (pale or lemon); and bill much more than one-half as lonetasitallls weve tsser iterate Cone sae ube eines. cloner Myrmotherula pygmaea. l’. General color of under parts white or buffy, and bill little if any more than one-half the length of the tail. m. Both maxillaand mandible black (females as well as males striated with black on LINCELDALES Pa mer Ree oe eric cs atk sseerorteaerort Myrmotherula cherriei. m'. Mandible pale, maxilla black, females not ; strongly striated with black below........ Myrmotherula surinamensis surinamensis. g’. Distance from tips of under tail-coverts to tip of tail greater than length of bill; or lower back marked with rounded white or buffy spots. h. Back more or less striated. i.) Gray onerayish white DelOW=:,.. .0sce= <2 <4 Soe ee Herpsilochmus sticturus stic- turus. i’, Throat and breast yellow or pale yellow. y Ps Jj. Smailer, breast not (or less) distinctly squamate... Hypocnemis flavescens humilis. j’. Larger, breast more distinctly squamate......... Hypocnemis flavescens flave- scens. 1Ridgway l.c. p. 12. 274 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. h'. Back not striated (no pale markings). i. Greater and middle wing-coverts more or less con- spicuously tipped, edged, or spotted with white, buff, or black. j. None of the rectrices tipped or marked with white. k. Lateral toes with claws not reaching to base of claw of middle toe. 1. Wing coverts with small white or whitish apical SpOtsm a) reer iene aaa Myrmoderas atrothorax. — _ l’,. Wing coverts with subapical black spots...... Myrmeciza boucardi grisei- pecius. k’. Lateral toes with claws reaching to or beyond the base of the claw of the middle toe. 1. Feathers of chin and throat black, at least basally... 2, Miso etree alee pe oe foe ten eee c'ad Myrmopagis haematono- ta haematonola. l’. Feathers of chin and throat not black, even at base. m. Middle of back dusky gray, not greatly different from remainingupper parts...... SMyrmeciza schisiacea. m’, Middle of back rufous, quite different from remaining upper parts. n. Throat ochraceous buff, remaining lower pattsitawnyOlivercn. cscs. aon aemiies 9 Myrmopagis haematonota haematonota. n’. Throat pale (whitish), remaining lower parts gray or brownish gray............ Terenura spodioptila. j’. Some or all of the rectrices tipped or edged with white (in C. iyrannina the white tips to tail-feathers are almost obsolete). . k. General color of under-parts yellow or yellowish. Herpsilochmus frater. k’. General color of under-parts black, gray or pale buffy. lt. A concealed white dorsal spot. m. General color, above and below, black..... o'Cercomacra nigricans. m’, General color, above and below, gray. m.. houlderpatchwwhiter se see tae o'Cercomacra tyrannina. n’. Shoulder patch slate gray like wing- coverts (pale markings on wing-coverts almostobsolete)e noses ae en ene o'Cercomacra cinerascens. l’. No concealed white dorsal spot. m. Backblackorslateblacks sete cree Myrmotherula melaena. m’. Back smoke gray or cinnamon brown. : n. Upper-parts cinnamon brown.......... Muicrorhopias orenocensis. mn. Wppet-pattsismoke vray. eee eee nee Microrhopias cano-fumosus. z. Greater and middle wing-coverts unmarked (some males of Cercomacra cinerascens have obsolete pale markings on coverts). j. General color above and below slate gray......... Cercomacra cinerascens. j’. General color above and below not gray. : k. * Dorsaliconcealed!spot white): ..5.052 22 oe. eee 2 Cercomacra tyrannina. k’. No concealed dorsal spot. i.) Withihazel’crown patch... oes eee ene ' Hapalocercus meloryphus. l’. No crown patch. m. Aboveirtayish OUVes goss tee oe eee 2 Myrmopagis axillaris. 2 Myrmopagis melaena. iis aNDOVE Taw. WinbDeb seis ceiceracieisioe eee 9 Myrmopagis schisticolor in- terior. a. ‘“‘Second phalanx of middle toe partly united to outer toe; acrotarsium fused (booted)”’! (Pithys, Hylophylax, Anoplops). b. Back marked either with rounded buff or white spots or narrow white, or buffy, apical bands to the feathers. c. Markings on back rounded—white or buffy. d:\ pBackimarkings white?. o./2..cee sade oon aha soe Sirhan eon Hylophylax punctulata. dacbackmankings Cinnamon pitts ere tenet ee eerie Hylophylax naevia naevia. c’, Back markings in the shape of narrow apical, white or cinnamon : buff, bands to the feathers. d. Apical margins to back feathers white. (SHylophylax poecilinota poe- e. Entire under parts including throat dark gray............... cilinota. @ Hylophylax poecilinota lepi- | donota. e’. Under parts ochraceous buff brightening to rufous on the throat and darkening to buffy brown onthe flanks........... 2 2 ylophylax poecilinota lepi- onota,. d’. Apical margins of back feathers cinnamon buff, (forehead, sides of head and chin ferruginous, remaining under parts gray)...... 9 Z ylophylax poecilinota peo- cilinota. 1Ridgway, Birds N. & M. America, V: 1911: p. 16. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 275 6’. Back without pale markings. c. Under parts bright chestnut (ad. @.chin, upper throat, lores, fore- head and frontal crest white; immature with whole head and throat Black witttiamt brownish-wash)e snes been. cute. soe. ke on Pithys albifrons. c’.. Middle of breast ochraceous buff, sides and flanks Dresden brown (chin, upper throat,and malarregionrufous)................... Anoplopsrufigula palidus. CYMBILAIMUS LINEATUS LINEATUS (Leach). Lanius lineatus Leach, Zool. Misc. I. 1815. p. 20. Pl. 6. Cymbilanius lineatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 68 (La Pricion, Nicare, Suapure, Caura River, Venezuela). Not observed by the writer on the Orinoco proper, but collected at various points on the Caura River by Klages and by André. The American Museum collection contains specimens from Sua- pure and La Union on the Caura River. Collected by Klages. TARABA MAJOR ALBICRISSA (Ridgway). _Thamnophilus albicrissus Ridgw., Proc. U. S. N. M. XIV. 1891. p. 481. Thamnophilus major albicrissus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 68. Not common, but observed all along the river from Las Barran- cas in the delta region, below Ciudad Bolivar to the upper river. Eye madder-brown; bill blackish, slate at base of mandible; feet plumbeous. THAMNOPHILUS LUNULATUS (Lesson). Lanius lunulatus Less., Traité d’Orn. p. 375. Pl. 45. fig. 2. Thamnophilus lunulatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 68. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure on the Caura River. ‘THAMNOPHILUS POLIONOTUS Pelzeln. Thamnophilus polionotus Pelz., Zur. Orn. Bras. II. 1868. p. 147. Thamnophilus sp. inc. Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 69 (La Pricion and Nicare, Caura River, Venez.). Thamnophilus polionotus Hellmayr. Novit..Zool. XIII. 1906. pp. 338-339 (La Pricion and Nicare, Caura River, Venez.). Not observed on the Orinoco but recorded from its tributary, the Caura, from La Pricion and from Nicare. Mr. Hellmayr (/. c.) gives a good account of this species com- pared with allied forms. 276 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. THAMNOPHILUS CINEREONIGER Pelzeln. Thamnophilus cinereoniger Pelz., Zur. Orn. Bras. 1870. pp. 76, 143; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 60. First observed at Altagracia where it was rare, and not noted as common until I had gone beyond the second falls at Maipures. THAMNOPHILUS MURINUS Sclater & Salvin. Thamnophilus murinus Scl. & Salv., P. Z. S. 1867. p. 756; Berlepsch & Hartert, p: 60: Not observed on the Orinoco proper but recorded from its tribu- tary the Caura River from Suapure, La Pricion and La Union. ERIONOTUS NAEVIUS NAEVIUS (Gmelin). Lanius naevius Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 308. Thamnophilus naevius Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 60. Found along the middle river from Altagracia as far as I extended my collecting on the upper river. Common above the falls. Also re- corded by Berlepsch and Hartert from La Pricion, La Union and Sua- pure on the Caura River. ERIONOTUS CINEREICEPS (Pelzeln). Thamnophilus cinereiceps Pelz., Zur. Orn. Bras. 1870. pp. 77, 145,; Ber- lepsch & Hartert, p. 70. Not seen below the neighborhood of the falls of Atures. Common from that point beyond. In the American’ Museum collection are specimens from Boca de Sina, Rio Cunucunuma, upper Orinoco. HyYPOLOPHUS CANADENSIS TRINITATIS (Ridgway). Thamnophilus trinitatis Ridgw., Proc. U. S. N. M. XIV. 1891. p. 481. Thamnophilus canadensis trinitatis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 70 (in part). This form of H. canadensis seems to be found throughout the delta region of the Orinoco, and all specimens that 1 have seen from points on the Caura River (there is a fair series in the American Museum, col- lected by Klages at Maripa and Mato River), and four specimens col- lected by the writer on the San Feliz River near its entrance into the Cuchivero River, are typical trinitatis. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 277 While the characters separating H. c. canadensis and H. c. trinitatis are not great, nevertheless they seem to me sufficiently constant for one to be justified in recognizing trinitatis as a subspecific form. In a series of sixteen females from Trinidad, the Caura River, middle and lower Orinoco regions, not one has the crown as light as in two specimens from Cayenne. In the Cayenne birds the crown is almost clear russet, while in the others the average is nearer a chestnut. The under parts of specimens (females) from Trinidad, Caura River and Orinoco delta, average decidedly more buffy, or better perhaps buffy clay coior, the waslr of the color extending over the entire under parts including the centre of the abdomen. Birds from the middle Orinoco, from Ciudad Bolivar, and beyond, are intermediate in general color between the Cayenne birds and those from Trinidad, the Orinoco delta, and Caura River points, being as a series, at once distinguishable by their paler coloring both above and below. This pale coloring is perhaps more marked in the females, but is very evident in the males also when compared as a series. So character- istic does this paler form seem of the middle Orinoco region that I would designate it as HyPoLOPHUS CANADENSIS INTERMEDIUS subsp. nov. The nesting season on the middle Orinoco is evidently a long one, as I have found young birds in the nest in June, and fresh eggs in September. The nest is a thin walled, rather loosely, though neatly woven cup, suspended between the forks of a horizontal twig. Nesting sites are similar to those of our Red-eyed Vireo. Two eggs collected September 4, 1898, at Santa Barbara (near the mouth of the river Carcunaparo, or sometimes called the Sinaruco) were “short ovate in form, glossy white, covered with frequent red-brown spots, in color and measured 21 x 16 and 20.5 x 16 mm?2.” A male in juvenal plumage, that cannot have been long out of the nest, taken at Caicara, June 15, 1907, closely resembles the adult female above and below, but there are no mesial blackish streaks on the breast. Another example, a male in transitional plumage from the juvenal stage to that of the adult, is similar below to the adult female, and above differs from the adult only in having the crown parti-colored, a few 1Type in collection of Brooklyn Institute Museum No. 3674, oad Caicara, Orinoco River, Venez., May 9, 1905 (No. 13669, Cherrie collection). . 2Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 70. 278 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. of the chestnut feathers of the immature being scattered among the new black ones of the adult plumage. THAMNOPHILUS DOLIATUS DOLIATUS (Linnaeus). Lanius doliatus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12 I. 1766. p. 138. A male and female taken at Ciudad Bolivar, April 14th and April 8th, respectively, are referable to typical doliatus. Specimens from Las Barrancas are also referable to the typical form which ordinarily is distinguished at a glance from the common Orinoco form by the general darker color, narrower white and broader black bars in the male and deeper rufous in the female. However, there are occasional specimens from the lower Orinoco and delta regions that are somewhat intermediate in character and can be referred to one or the other only arbitrarily. THAMNOPHILUS DOLIATUS FRATERCULUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Thamnophilus doliatus fraterculus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 70. Abundant, both at Ciudad Bolivar and at Caicara. Eye straw yellow; bill black above, plumbeous below ; feet plumbeous. The white bars on the under parts are very noticeably wider than in examples of 7. doliatus doliatus, making the under parts generally much lighter. A nest containing two young was found June 30. It was located in a clump of open timber, very near a much frequented path. The nest was placed like that of Vireosylva olivacea between the forks near the end of a small branch about one metre from the ground. The bowl of the nest was as large as that of an American Robin. Grass stems and rootlets were the only materials used. A nest without eggs taken at Caicara July 4, 1898, by Mrs. Cherrie, was situated in a small sapling that stood in an open glade of the forest. This nest was about one metre from the ground suspended between the horizontal forks of a slender twig and measured 10 cm. outside diameter by 7 cm. inside; 5.5 cm. in depth outside, by 4 cm. inside. Fine dry grass and long narrow strips of some soft inner bark is employed for the outside while there is an inner lining of horse-hair- like vegetable fibres. The whole is so loosely woven that eggs could be easily seen through the nest walls. A second nest containing two young, taken at Caicara by the writer June 21, 1907, was in a region covered with dense thickets, having only a few large trees scattered here and there. The nest was suspended CHERRIE.: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 279 between horizontal forks of a limb of a tree known as Cana-tistola; it was about 1.52.m. from the ground and just above a thicket of thorny vines that would have effectually protected it from most predatory animals. In the materials employed, and in shape it is similar to the nest described above and just as loosely and openly woven. ‘The greatest diameter of the nest cavity is just below the edge which is contracted on the two sides by the branches of the fork and at the outer edge, between the forks, by the drawing in of the nest wall, a condition which would have prevented the eggs being thrown out had the branch swayed about a great deal. Of the two young taken with this nest, a male and a female, the latter was considerably the larger and must have been a couple of days the older. Ordinarily where there is any decided difference in the plumages of adults, the young in juvenal plumage will bear a greater resemblance to the female than to the male. In the specimens before me the pattern of coloration is that of the male in both the male and the female. The generai color above is tawny ochraceous, inclined to russet on the crown, rather broadly barred with blackish or dusky black; in short, they differ from the adult male chiefly in the lack of a length- ened crest and in the replacing of the white by ochraceous. Below, they are a pale ochraceous buff, that fades into almost pure white on the abdomen, narrowly barred with dusky on the breast and sides, dark- est on the upper breast, faintly showing on the flanks and entirely absent on the abdomen. PyGIPTILA STELLARIS (Spix). Thamnophilus stellaris Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1825. p. 27, Pl. 36, fig. 2. Pygiptila maculipennis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 71 (Munduapo, Neri- cagua, Orinoco River), in part. Pygiptila stellaris Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XII. 1906. p. 367. Noted only on the upper river, above the second falls, where it was not uncommon at Munduapo and Nericagua. Berlepsch and Hartert also record it from La Union and La Pricion on the Caura River. There are two specimens in the American Museum collection col- lected by Klages at La Union on the Caura River, Venezuela, that I am unable to identify with certainty. They may or may not belong to the same species; I am, however, strongly of the opinion that they repre- sent distinct forms. They have both been marked as males by the col- lector, in one case, however, with a question. Below I give a brief de- scription of each of the specimens. 280 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. No. 76025 American Museum Collection ( ¢ ? La Union, Caura Riv. Venez see ies Klacessles)e Thamnophilus sp. ? dé...’ a Union, Caura’ Rivet; Venez. 18 (Oc 100%. eres oe Klages (No. 76025 Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. Coll.). Entire upper parts grey (almost slate). A concealed white spot in centre of back. Outer webs of primaries dark russet or raw umber, wing coverts narrowly tipped and edged with same color. General color of under parts a pale cinnamon brownish or buff, much clearer and paler on the throat and clearer brown (a wood brown) on the under tail coverts, sides and flanks grey with brownish buff wash. Inner edges of wing quills cinnamon, under wing coverts brighter, more ochra- ceous. Wey7 U40°B 1S s2z0 Thamnophilus sp.? ¢La- Union; Catira Rivet; Venez. 27 Sept. 1901. Less Si) Ma laces (76020 Am. Mus. Coll.). Above, crown and middle of back slate grey, large concealed white patch in centre of back; wings black, outer webs of quills largely or entirely uniform slate grey, primary coverts black with small white terminal spots; greater, median and lesser coverts also blackish with white terminal spots. The outer webs of the greater coverts are largely slate grey. Tail slate grey. Below .cinereous. Inner edges of some of the wing quills faintly rufous. We Sr 2 46)R:.20 Ts?2e: DySITHAMNUS ARDESIACUS SATURNINUS (Pelzeln). Thamnophilus saturninus Pelz., Orn. Bras. p. 147. 1869. (Borba). Dysithamnus ardesiacus Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S.: 1867: p. 756 (Rio Napo) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 71 (Munduapo, Nericagua, Orinoco River). Dysithamnus ardesiacus saturninus Hellmayr, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien. AM. 1903. p. 216..(Caura River). Not seen by the writer along the Orinoco but recorded by Ber- lepsch and Hartert from various points on the Caura River. In the American Museum collection are two specimens collected by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River, and one collected by André at Nicare. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 281 DysITHAMNUS AFFINIS ANDRET Hellmayr. Dysithamnus affinis andrei Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. 31 (Type, 2 ad ex Caparo, Trinidad). Mr. C. William Beebe obtained a specimen at Guanoco in the Orinoco delta, which compared with examples from Trinidad, showed itself to be the island form. THAMNOMANES GLAUCUS Cabanis. Thamnomanes glaucus Cab., Wiegn-Arch. 1847. p. 230. Pl. 3; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 71 (Munduapo, Nericagua, Bichaco, Orinoco River; Suapure, La Pricion, Nicare and La Union, Caura River, Venez.). T[hamnomanes] c[aesius| glaucus Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 368 (Orinoco region; Munduapo, Caura River). T[hamnomanes]| caesius glaucus Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 65. (Munduapo and Bichaco, Orinoco River, Venez.). ~ Common on the upper Orinoco but not observed below the falls of Maipures. In the American Museum is a series collected by Klages at La Union and Suapure on the Caura River. I prefer to consider this as a distinct species and not as a race of T. caesius (Licht.) the large concealed white dorsal patch at once distin- guishing it from caesius caesius and the two races hoffmannsi and per- similis of that species. Also I believe T. caesius schistogynus Hellmayr should be accorded specific rank, the much greater development of the rictal bristles (not mentioned by its describer) and the very differently colored female distinguishing it at once from other Thamnomanes. MyYRMOPAGIS SCHISTOCOLOR INTERIOR Chapman. Myrmopagis schistocolor interior Chapman Bull. A. M. N. H. XXXIIT: 1914: p. 614 (Type ex Buena Vista, above Villavicencio, Eastern ~ Andes, Colombia) Suapure and Mato Riv.; Foot Mt. Duida, Ori- noco Riv. Mr. Chapman in discussing the races of schistocolor states that the specimens from the Upper Orinoco and from Caura river points are intergrades between s. sanctae-martae and s. interior. The upper Ori- noco birds probably represent an undescribed form. 282 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. MyrMopaGis! AXILLARIS ( Vieillot). Myrmothera axillaris Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XII. 1817. p. 113. Myrmotherula axillaris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 73. Not observed on the Orinoco proper, but recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure, Nicare and La Pricion on the Caura. MyYRMOPAGIS MELAENA (Sclater). Myrmotherula cherriei Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 72 Myrmotherula melaena Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 74. M{|yrmopagis| melaena Ridgway Birds N. & M. Amer. V: 1911: p. 67 Crit Common along the upper river from the neighborhood of the first falls. This species was found breeding at Maipures in January, and the nest and eggs then collected have been described by Berlepsch 5 and Hartert (/. c.), but as my observations made in the field are some- - what fuller, I reproduce the following notes from my journal. The nest was situated about 2.13 m. above the ground in the midst of a thick tangle of overhanging bamboo branches, the bamboo thicket forming the undergrowth in the high, dense forest which borders the river in that region. The outer walls of the nest were composed of old and broken bamboo leaves, that were very loosely held together, and that served admirably to conceal the nest which was suspended by black thread-like vegetable fibres between the forks of a delicate twig of bamboo. The nest lining consisted of fine, thread- like vegetable fibres or rootlets. The eggs are elliptical-ovate in form. When fresh the ground color was a delicate pinkish white, which after blowing became a dead white. They are dotted and covered with criss-cross, fine, short lines of heliotrope purple. The markings are heaviest at the point of greatest diameter and almost entirely absent about the smaller end. The nest was discovered two days before it was collected and on each visit the male parent bird was found brooding, and sat so closely that I could approach and almost put my hand on him before he would desert his post. When he would finally flush, it was to slip quietly away and conceal himself in the surrounding thicket. On one occasion I waited for over an hour for his return but was disap- pointed, and finally the female came slipping noiselessly along toward *Ridgway, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXII. 1909. p. 69. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 283 the nest, passing very near to me and pausing long enough to give me a quizzical look before reaching the nest and settling down on the eggs. MyRMOTHERULA CHERRIEI Berlepsch & Hartert. Myrmotherula cherriet Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 72 (Type, Perico, Orinoco River, Venez.). The type of this species now in the Tring Museum was collected by the writer at Perico, just below the falls of Atures. The species was common there and also about Maipures, but was not noted elsewhere. MyYRMOTHERULA SURINAMENSIS SURINAMENSIS (Gmelin). Sitta surinamensis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 444. Myrmotherula surinamensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 73. M[yrmotherula] s{urinamensis] surinamensis Hellm. P. Z. S. Part IV: Wel, 1150 ((Cauta River. Valley). Only one specimen of this species was collected at Munduapo be- yond the region where M. cherriei was abundant, owing to the fact that I confounded it with the preceding species. The Tring Museum received specimens from Caura River points, collected by Klages and by André. In the American Museum collection are specimens from La Union, Mato River and Maripa on the Caura River, collected by Klages. MyRMOTHERULA PYGMAEA (Gmelin). Muscicapa pygmaea Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 933. Myrmotherula pygmaea Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 73. Recorded by Berlepsch: and Hartert from La Pricion, Caura River. ; MyRMOTHERULA GUTTATA (Vieillot). Myrmothera guttata Vieill., Gal. Ois. I. 1825. p. 251. Pl. 155. Myrmotherula guttata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 73. Not observed on the Orinoco proper but recorded from La Union and La Pricion on the Caura River. 284 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. MyRMOTHERULA HAEMATONOTA (Sclater). Formicivora haematonota Sclater, P. Z. S., 1857, p. 48. Myrmotherula pyrrhonota Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr. 1873. pp. 72, coo. berlepsch ec “Llartett,. p74 Myrmotherula haematonota Hellmayr Novit. Zool. XIV: 1907: 71, 72 (Orinoco & Caura). Abundant on the upper Orinoco, above the second falls. Not observed elsewhere. Also recorded from Suapure, Nicare and La Pricion on the Caura River. In the American Museum collection are specimens collected by Klages on the Caura River at Suapure and La Union during Sep- tember and October. MyRMOTHERULA LONGIPENNIS Pelzeln. Myrmotherula longipennis Pelz., Zur. Orn. Bras. II. 1868. pp. 82, 153; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 74. Recorded from’ ‘Stiapure, Nicare, Ua Union and ka —Pricionon the Caura River, but not observed along the Orinoco. MyYRMOTHERULA CINEREIVENTRIS CINEREIVENTRIS Sclater & Salvin. Myrmotherula cinereiventris Scl. & Salv., P. Z. S. 1867 p. 756 (Ca- yenne). Specimen of M. cinereiventris in the American Museum collection from points in the Caura region (La Union, and Mato River) belong to the typical race and are conspicuously darker than is the Upper Ori- noco race. MyRMOTHERULA CINEREIVENTRIS PALLIDA Berlepsch & Hartert. Myrmotherula cinereiventris pallida Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 74. (Type, Nericagua, Orinoco River, Venez.). The writer collected the type of this subspecies at Nericagua on the upper Orinoco beyond the falls of Maipures, a short distance above the mouth of the Vicada River. The subspecies was abundant all along the Orinoco from near the mouth of the Meta River as far as I ascended. Specimens in the American Museum collection from the foot of Mount Duida belong to this race. CHERRIKE » ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 285 HERPSILOCHMUS RUFIMARGINATUS FRATER Sclater & Salvin. Herpsilochmus frater Scl. & Salv., P. Z. S. 1880. p. 159. Herpsilochmus rufimarginatus frater Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 75. Not observed on the Orinoco, but recorded from Suapure on the Caura River. In the American Museum collection is an adult male from . that point. HERPSILOCHMUS STICTURUS STICTURUS Salvin. Herpsilochmus sticturus Salvin, Ibis 1885. p. 424 (Bartica Grove, British Guiana). In the American Museum collection is a specimen from Boca de Sina, Cunucunuma River, Upper Orinoco. HERPSILOCHMUS STICTURUS NIGRESCENS Todd. Herpsilochmus sticturus nigrescens Todd, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. ZXV ITE rors, 80 (Type ex, Maripa, Rio Caura,-Venez.). I have not seen this race, that is said to differ from s. sticturus in having a greater admixture of black above and “under parts much darker, more grayish, the throat and breast indistinctly striped with dusky grayish and white.” MICRORHOPIAS CANO-FUMOSUS (Cherrie). Formicivora cano-fumosus Cherrie, Sci. Bull. Bklyn. Inst. Mus. I. 1909, pesoz-s ( Lype, =o, ex las: Barraneas, Delta ‘reg:, Orinoco, River, Wiehiez>) Observed and taken only in the type locality, where three males and three females were collected between July 30th and August 2nd. MicRoRHOPIAS! ORENOCENSIS (Hellmayr). Formicivora orenocensis Hellmayr, Bull. Br. Orn. Cl. XIV. 1904. 54 Glivpe. 6 ad- ex. Altasracia, Orinoco River, Venez: ) Formicivora intermedia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 75. Abundant along the Middle Orinoco from Cuidad Bolivar to Caicara. Keeps chiefly to the low thickets in heavily timbered regions. Eye seal brown; bill above black, below slate color; feet slate color. 1 Microrhopias rufa. Mytothera rufa Wied, Beitr. Naturg. Bras., iii., p. 1005, 1831, (Bahia). Formicivora rufatra Sclater, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. XV. 1890. p. 251 (Orinoco?) Recorded from the Orinoco, with a query by Sclater. 286 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. In the American Museum collection are specimens from points on the Caura River, which agree exactly with Ciudad Bolivar and Caicara specimens. HAPALOCERCUS MELORYPHUS (Wied). Euscarthmus meloryphus Wied, Beitr. Naturg. Bras. III. 1831. p. 947. Hapalocercus meloryphus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 40. Rare. Only once met with by the writer, an adult female having been collected at Ciudad Bolivar April 8, 1905. Eye seal brown; bill above black, below pale; feet grey. The specimen secured was discovered perched low down on the limb of a tree at the edge of a small clump of trees and bushes on the savanna. In actions the bird was decidedly flycatcher-like; but the scutellation of the tarsus! is very like that of Formicivora and I am following Mr. Ridgway? in including it with the Formucariudae. Berlepsch and Hartert record a single specimen collected by Klages that was taken at Ciudad Bolivar. The outer and middle toes are united at the base for the length of the basal phalanx of the outer toe, and about one-half the length of the basal phalanx of the middle toe. Outer toe with claw slightly longer than the middle toe without claw; without claw reaching to about the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle toe. TERENURA SPODIOPTILA Sclater & Salvin. Terenura spodioptila Scl. & Salv., Ibis, 1881. p. 270. Pl. 9. fig. 1; Berlepsch es larterte ps 756 Not observed on the Orinoco, but recorded from Suapure on the Caura River. CERCOMACRA CINERASCENS (Sclater). Formicivora cinerascens Sclater, P. Z. S. 1857 p. 131 (Rio Napo). Cercomacra napensis Scl., P. Z. S., 1868. p. 572 (Rio Napo) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 75. Cercomacra cinerascens, Hellmayr Novit. Zool. XII: 1905: 287 (habi- tat and crit.). 1The following observations were made asa result of an examination of a fresh tarsus; the 2crotarsium covers somewhat more than the anterior half of the tarsus. On the plantar tarsi is a double row of elongated irregularly quadrate scutella extending from the heel to the toes; but from the point of the heel for a short distance down the double series is separated by a median row of small scutella. There is also a narrow non scutellate area along the inside face between the edges of the acrotarsium and the scutella covering the planta and a similar area on the outside at the upper end. 2Birds of North and Middle America. IV. 1907. 330. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 287 Taken by the writer on the upper river at Munduapo, but not noted elsewhere. It is also recorded from points on the Caura River. CERCOMACRA TYRANNINA TYRANNINA (Sclater). Pyriglena tyrannina Scl., P. Z. S. 1855. p. go. Cercomacra tyrannina Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 76. Cercomacra tyrannina tyrannina, Ridgw. Bds. N. and M. Amer., V: I9II: 93 (Points on Orinoco and Caura rivers). Abundant on the upper river from just below the falls of Atures as far as I ascended. Not noted elsewhere by me, but recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from various points on the Caura River. CERCOMACRA NIGRICANS Sclater. Cercomacra nigricans Scl. P. Z. S. 1858. p. 245; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 76. | Noted. as abundant in the delta region at Las Barrancas but much less common along the middle stretches of the river up as far as the mouth of the Apure. Orinoco birds seem to be identical with American Museum specimens from the Caura River, Colombia, Santa Marta and from Panama. SCLATERIA ARGENTATA (Des Murs). Herpsilochmus argentatus Des Murs, Voy. Casteln, Ois. (1855). p. 53: fig. 2. Sclateria argentata Oberholser, Proc. Phil. Acad. LI. 1899. p. 210; Hell- mayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 375 (Maipures, Orinoco). Heterocnemis argentata Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902, p. 76 (part) (Maipures, Orinoco River). Rare, met with at Maipures, only, during December. Specimens collected at La Union on the Caura River by André were also included under H. argentata by Berlepsch and Hartert, but have since been separated as a subspecific form of S. schistacea by ‘Mr. Hellmayr. SCLATERIA SCHISTACEA CAURENSIS Hellmayr. Sclateria schistacea caurensis Hellmayr, Bull. Brit. Orn. Club. XTX. 1906. po. Clype; dead ex: Cara: Raver, - Venez. ). Heterocnemis argentata Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool IX. 1902. p. 76 (part) 288 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. S[clateria| s[chistacea| caurensis Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. peea7e: Not observed on the Orinoco proper. MyRMECIZA LONGIPES GRISEIPECTUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Myrmeciza longipes griseipectus Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p.. 76. - (Type, ¢ ads Caicara, Orinoco’ River,.-Vemezauam Museum Tring; Caicara, Perico and Munduapo, River Orinoco and Suapure and La Pricion, Caura River. M[yrmeciza| l[ongipes| griseipectus Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. » Pp. 33: Eye bright chestnut; bill black; feet pinkish white. This species was not noted below Caicara, but was observed on the upper river as far as I extended my explorations. It inhabits the thick forest, and while not rare it is more often heard than seen. It has a high flute-like whistle that is very difficult to trace. Birds may be very near, concealed in the thick underbrush, but as they walk rapidly away from one, the call notes seem to come from half a dozen different directions. I have never seen them anywhere except on the ground where they walk and run easily and gracefully over the falien leaves, and when flushed fly but a short distance and again drop to the ground. In the American Museum collection is a series collected by Klages at Suapure and Maripa on the Caura River. MyRMECIZA SCHISTACEA Todd. Myrmeciza schistacea Todd, Rroc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXVI: 1913: 172 (Type ex El Llagual, Caura district Venezuela). I have not seen this species. MyRMODERAS ATROTHORAX (Boddaert). Formicarius atrothorax Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 44. Myrmeciza atrothorax Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 77. Myrmeciza atrothorax atrothorax Hellmayr, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, ITE S1OO3n.p. 214: Myrmoderus atrothorax Ridgw. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXII: 1907: 70. Rare; seen by the writer on the upper Orinoco only at Mun- duapo. It is also recorded by Berlepsch and Hiartert, from La Pricion, Nicare and La Union on the (Caura River: CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 289 HyPocNEMIS FLAVESCENS FLAVESCENS Sclater. Hypocnemas flavescens Scl. P. Z. S. 1864 p. 609 (Marabitanas, Rio Negro, Brazil). In the American Museum collection is a series from the neighbor- hood of the foot of Mt. Duida and Boca de Sina, Rio Cunucunuma (Upper Orinoco) that probably represent typical flavescens flavescens. I am not at all sure that the Caura River form is sufficiently dis- tinct to warrant separation but as pointed out by Mr. Todd the breast seems less distinctly squamate and apparently there is a slight difference in size, f. humilis being the smaller. HYPOCNEMIS FLAVESCENS HUMILIS Todd. Hypocnemis flavescens humilis Todd, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash, XXVI: 1913: 172 (La Lajita, Caura, Venezuela). Hypocnemis flavescens Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 77. Not observed on the Orinoco proper, but recorded from Nicare, Suapure, La Lajita and La Pricion on the Caura River. HYLOPHYLAX POECILONOTA POECILONOTA (Cabanis). Hypocnemis poecilonota Cab., Weigm. Arch. 1847. p. 213. Pl. 4, fig. 2; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 78. Hypocnemis poecilinota poecilinota Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 371 (Munduapo and Nericagua, Orinoco River, Suapure, Nicare, La Union and La Pricion, Caura River). Hylophylax poecilonota Ridgway, Birds of N. & M. Am. V: p. 128. Common about Munduapo and Nericagua. Also recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert, and by Hellmayr from points on the Caura River. In the American Museum there is a specimen from Suapure. HyYLOPHYLAX POECILONOTA LEPIDONOTA (Sclater & Salvin). Hypocnemis lepidonota Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1880 p. 160 Sarayacu, E. Ecuador. Miller and Iglseder, collecting for the American Museum, at the foot of Mount Duida secured a series of specimens that I have referred to this race. The males, however, are paler below, light neutral gray (Ridgway’s Color Standards), than are two other specimens. one from La Murelia, Caqueta, Colombia, and one from Zamora, Province de Loja, Ecuador, that are deep neutral gray. Two females are also lighter 290 BROOKLYN {INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. in color than females from La Murelia with a greater suffusion of buffy on the under parts and more rufous or hazel above, particularly on the crown and occiput. HyYLOPHYLAX PUNCTULATA (Des Murs). Rhopothera punctulata Des Murs, Voy. Casteln., Ois. p. 53. Hypocnemis punctulata Hellmayr, Novit..Zool. XIV. 1907. p 377 (La Pricion, \Caura River, Venez): There is a pair in the American Museum collection from La Union, Caura Riv. HyLOPHYLAX NAEVIA CONSOBRINA Todd. Pipra naevia Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 1003. Hypocnemis naevia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 79. H[ylophylax|] naevia Ridgway. Birds of N. & M. Amer. V: p. 128. Hylophylax consobrina Todd, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XX VI: 1913: 172 (Rio Mocho, Rio Caura, Venezuela). Not observed on the Orinoco, but recorded from La Pricion on the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert. Miller and Iglseder collected a pair of birds at the foot of Mount Duida, Upper Orinoco (American Museum collection) that probably belongs to this race. I have however only a single example (from ‘“Napo”’) that may be referred to naevia naevia for comparison. The differences are not marked, but perhaps sufficient to constitute a good race. The abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts are pale buffy instead of dark ochraceous buff. The buffy spots on the mantle are also larger. Myrmoporus LEucoPpHRYS (Tschudi). Pithys leucophrys Tsch. in Weign. Arch. 1844. p. 18 (Peru, “Fluss Tullumayo” ). Myrmoborus leucophrys Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. IT: (1859) : 9. Hypocnemis leucophrys Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 78. Common on the upper river above the falls of Maipures, also recorded from points on the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert. > MyRMOBORUS MYIOTHERINA MYIOTHERINA (Spix). Thamnophilus myiotherinus Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1825. p. 30, Pl. 42, fig. T. Myrmoborus myiotherinus Cab. et Hein. Mus. Hein. ii (1859): 9. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 291 Hypocnemis myiotherina Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 78. Hypocnemis myiotherina myiotherina Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p; 20. Not noted on the Orinoco but recorded from its tributary the Caura, from La Pricion and Nicare. MyRMOBORUS MELANOPOGON (Sclater). Hypocnemis melanopogon Scl., P. Z. S. 1857. p. 130; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 78; Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV: 1907: 381. (Orinoco River and Caura River localities). Not noted as common at any point, but observed all the way from Altagracia to above the falls. Also recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from points on the Caura River, and in 1907 I found this species common along the San Feliz River near its junction with the Cuchivero River. . PITHYS ALBIFRONS (Linnaeus ). Pipra albifrons Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 339. Pithys albifrons Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 79. Rare, seen only on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. Usually in company with other species of Ant-Thrushes and Wood- hewers following in the wake of the foraging ants. Berlepsch and Hartert also record specimens from Suapure and Nicare on the Caura River. ANOPLOPS RUFIGULA PALIDUS Cherrie. Anoplops rufigula palidus Cherrie, Sci. Bull. Bklyn. Inst. Mus. 19009. p. 390 (Type, 6 ex Suapure, Caura River, Venez.). Similar to A. rufigula rufigula from Cayenne, but smaller and much less deeply colored above, being olive brownish with a slight rufous wash, while Cayenne birds are a deep rich umber brown with olive wash. The type specimen measures: wing 74 mm.; tail 47 mm. RHOPOTERPE "TORQUATA TORQUATA (Boddaert). Formicarius torquatus Boddaert, abl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 43 (ex Dubenton Pl. enl. 700. Fig. 1.) (Type, ex Cayenne apud Berlepsch.) There are two specimens in the American Museum collection se- cured by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River: ¢ September 11, 1901; 2 February 8, 1901. Not before recorded from the Orinoco region. 292 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. RAMPHOCAENUS MELANURUS TRINITATIS Lesson. Ramphocaenus trinitatis Lesson, Rev. Zool. 1839. p. 42. Ramphocaenus melanurus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 79. Rare on the Orinoco; two collected at Munduapo in February | and one at Nericagua in April. Berlepsch and Hartert record it from the Caura River, and in the American Museum collection are speci- mens taken by S. M. Klages at Suapure and at Maripa on that river. FoRMICARIUS COLMA COLMA Boddaert. Formicarius colma Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 44. Formicarius nigrifrons Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. Rare, two taken at Nericagua during March and April. A nest of this species, from which the parent was flushed, was found at Nericagua in March, 1899. It was a natural cavity in a tree trunk, about 5 metres from the ground. The cavity was about 40 cm. in _depth and about 15 cm. in diameter. The bottom was lined with rootlets and dry grasses. The two eggs were pure white. Recorded also from points on the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert. In the American Museum collection are four specimens, one from El Llagual, and three from La Union, Caura River. These skins, three of which are labelled as females, indicate that the adult female is exactly similar to the adult males, i. e., without any white on chin or throat!. One of the examples before me has the extreme upper throat. and chin white and the throat flecked with white; another has a small chin spot only white, while the third is without any white. An examination of Mr. Ridgway’s type of F. nigrifrons glaucopec- tus? from British Guiana with the other examples of the same from the American Museum collection, compared with the Caura River. speci- mens, indicates that glaucopectus is a well marked subspecies dis- tinguished by the great extension of sooty blackish down over the -chest and even onto the sides. FORMICARIUS RUFICEPS (Spix). Myiothera ruficeps Spix, Av. Bras. i. p. 72, pl. 72 fig. 1, (1824). A single specimen in the American Museum collection, taken by Klages at La Union, Caura River, Venez., evidently belongs to this 1Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XII. 1905. 292, believed the throat of adult female to be white “‘sharply defined against the sooty grey breast.” 2Proc. U.S.N.M. XVI. 1893. p. 673. CHERRIK: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 293 _ species. ‘The specimen is a male and was taken September 26, 1901. The throat and anterior part of the malar region is ochraceous buff, but with many of the feathers tipped with blackish. CONOPOPHAGIDAE—THE GNATEATERS. Only a single species of those pertaining to this family has been recorded from the Orinoco region. CoRYTHOPIS TORQUATA ANTHOIDES (Pucheran). Muscicapa anthoides Pucheran (ex Cuvier), Arch. du Mus. Par. VII (1855), P- 334- | Corythopis anthoides Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. Rare; one specimen taken at Nericagua. There is a single speci- men in the American Museum (Klages collection) from La Union on the Caura River—a female collected September 26, Igot. TROCHILIDAE—THE HUMMINGBIRDS. I was disappointed in the number of species of hummingbirds met with on the Orinoco River. Only twenty-eight were included in Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper, twenty-two of. which number were collected on the Orinoco proper by the writer, the remaining six were from the Caura River collected by Klages or André. While the number of species secured was a disappointment, it is perhaps not remarkable when considered in connection with the fact that we devoted the greater part of our time to the more or less open savanna regions bordering the middle stretches of the Orinoco— a region of low altitude, characterized by great stretches of open or sparsely wooded savannas, and little variety in the vegetation. GLAUCIS HIRSUTA HtRSUTA (Gmelin). Trochilus hirsutus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 490. Glaucis hirsuta Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. One taken at Munduapo. PHOETHORNIS AFFINIS AFFINIS Pelzeln!. Phaetornis affinis Pelz., Sitz. Akad. Wien, XX. 1856. p. 157. Phaéthornis superciliosus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. Common on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. 1See Hellmayr’s remarks regarding the use of this name: Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906, p. 374. 294 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. PHOETHORNIS HISPIDUS (Gould). Trochilus hispidus Gould, P. Z. S. 1846. p. go. Phaéthorms hispidus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 81. Common in the same general region as P. affinis affinis. PHOETHORNIS AUGUSTI (Bourcier). Trochilus augusti Bourc., Ann. Soc. Agric. Lyon, X. 1847. p. 623. Phaéthornis augusti Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 81. Seen only at Caicara where two specimens were taken. PHOETHORNIS RUPURUMII RUPURUMII Boucard. Phaetornis Rupurumit Boucard, The Humming Bird, Il. 1892. p. 1. Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 81. Colors of fresh birds are: eye seal brown; maxilla black, mandible lemon yellow, black at tip; feet dusky. This species is found all along the middle and upper Orinoco and is not uncommon in the low, often almost impenetrable, thickets near the borders of deep forest areas. They keep close to the ground, and their color harmonizes so closely with stems of the vines and the branches of the undergrowth about them that they are rarely seen. I have sat for a half hour at a time hearing their oft-repeated squeaky hissing notes all about me, frequently within a very few feet of me, and have failed to see one of the performers. PHOETHORNIS RUBER EPIscopus Gould!. Phaethornis episcopus Gould, P. Z. S. 1857. p. 14. Phaéthornis ruber Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 82. Phaethornis caurensis Simon et Delmas, Ornis, XI. 1901. p. 208 (Caura River, Venez.). Common at Munduapo and at Nericagua. CAMPYLOPTERUS LARGIPENNIS (Boddaert). Trochilus largipennis Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 41. Campylopterus largipennis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 82. Abundant at Nericagua. Not seen elsewhere. 1See Hellmayr’s notes on the races of P. ruber: Novit Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 375. —v CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 295 FLORISUGA MELLIVORA MELLIVORA (Linnaeus). Trochilus mellivorus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. I. 1758. p. 121. Florisuga mellivora Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 82. Not observed at Bolivar and rare at Caicara where an adult male and an adult female were taken May 8th. Abundant on the upper river. Eye seal; bill black; feet dusky blackish. AGYRTRIA ALBIVENTRIS (Lesson). Ornismya albiventris Less., Hist. Nat. Ois.-Mouches, 1829. pp. XXXIV, 20g. Pll 76. Agyrtria albiventris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 83. This is the most abundant species of Hummingbird found along the Orinoco up as far as the falls in the river. It is a bird of the open Savanna regions. Eye dark seal brown; bill dusky reddish with blackish tip; feet dusky. I have found nests every month from May to November, and in localities as varied as the months—from a point out toward the ex- treme tip of a limb of a tree 20 metres up, to the forks of a slender shrub not more than 50 cm. above the ground. A _ nest before me is a neat, trim, little cup-shaped affair, built of the soft silky bits of native cotton adorned, on the outside, with scattered pieces of greenish gray lichens. It measures 4 cm. diameter by 2.8 cm. in depth outside, and 2.7 cm. diameter by about 1.8 cm. in depth inside. It was located about 1.6 m. from the ground near the tip of a large horizontal limb of a mango tree, at a point where a tiny twig branches from the main stem, the angles between the two forming the foundation for the nest. The egg (one of the set broken) is elliptical-oval in form and measures 13.2 x 8.8 mm. AGYRTRIA FIMBRIATA (Gmelin). Trochilus fimbriatus Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 1: 1788: p. 493 (Cayenne). Agyrtria fimbriata Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1913: p. 201 (Boca Uracoa, and Buelta Trieste, River Manimo; Cafio Corosal). Reported from the delta country by Stone. 290 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. AGYRTRIA MILLERI (Bourcier). Trochilus milleri Bourc., P. Z. S. 1847. p. 43. Agyrtria milleri Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 83. The distribution along the Orinoco seems to be about the same as with albiventris but it is much less common. AGYRTRIA CHIONOPECTUS CHIONOPECTUS (Gould). Thaumantias chionopectus Gould, Monogr. Trochili. V: (1859) : pl. 293 (Trinidad); Stone; “Proc. Ac: Nat? Set” Phil 19137) (Guinipa Village; Pedernales). Stone records specimens from the delta. It is replaced from the mouth of the Caura and beyond by the allied race whitelyi. AGYRTRIA CHIONOPECTUS WHITELYI (Boucard). Uranomitra whitelyi Boucard, The Humming Bird, III. 1893. p. 8. Agyrtria chionopectus whitelyi Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 84. This species was reported from the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert, having been collected by both André and Klages. In May, 1907, the writer found it abundant along the San Feliz River near its union with the Cuchivero River. Either this or typical chion- opectus will be very likely found in the Orinoco Delta. SAUCEROTTIA CUPREICAUDA (Salvin & Godman). Amazilia cupreicauda Salv. & Godm., Ibis, 1884. p. 452. Saucerottia cupreicauda Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 84. Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens from “Mountains west of Suapure,” collected by Klages. Not observed by the writer. SAUCEROTTIA ERYTHRONOTOS CAURENSIS Berlepsch & Hartert. Saucerotta erythronotos caurensis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 84. (Type in Museum Tring, ¢, Suapure, Caura River, Venez. ). The writer did not obtain specimens of this Hummingbird, but examples were sent to the Tring Museum from Ciudad Bolivar, and the type locality by S. M. Klages. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 297 HyYLOCHARIS SAPPHIRINA (Gmelin). Trochilus sapphirinus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 496. Hylocharis sapphirina Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 84. Seen only on the upper river at Nericagua, where it was abun- dant. HyYLOCHARIS CYANUS VIRIDVENTRIS Berlepsch. Hylocharis cyanea viridiventris Berl., Ibis, 1880. p. 113. Hylocharis cyanus viridiventris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 85. Three taken at Nericagua during April, 1899; not observed at other points along the Orinoco proper. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure and from La Pricion on the Caura River. CHLORESTES COERULEUS ( Vieillot). Trochilus coeruleus Vieill., Nouv. Dict. VII. 1871. p. 361. Chlorestes coeruleus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 85. Common from Altagracia to Munduapo on the upper river; also recorded from Caura River points by Berlepsch and Hartert. Eye seal brown; maxilla and tips of mandible black, basal four-fifths of mandible flesh color; feet dusky. CHLOROSTILBON CARIBAEUS NANUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Chlorostilbon caribaeus nanus Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. [X. 1902. p. 86 (Type, ex Caicara River, Orinoco, Venezuela). Abundant at Caicara, where the writer collected the type speci- men (adult male No. 10157 Coll. Geo. K. and Stella M. Cherrie, Cai- cara, Venez. Feb. 19, 1898), now in the Tring Museum (J. c.). This species was not observed anywhere beyond the falls of Atures. Eye dusky; bill and feet black. THALURANIA TSCHUDII Gould. Thalurania tschudii Gould, P. Z. S. 1860. p. 312; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 86. Common on the upper river at Munduapo and Nericagua. Not observed elsewhere. 2098 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. THALURANIA REFULGENS Gould. Thalurania refulgens Gould, P. Z. S. 1852: p. 9; Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1913: p. 201. (Manimo Riv., Isla de Morocatico). Recorded by Stone from the delta country. THALURANIA FURCATA FISSILIS Berlepsch & Hartert. Thalurania furcata fissilis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 87 (Type, Caura River, Suapure, Venezuela). This species was described from specimens collected on.the Caura River. It has not been observed on the Orinoco proper. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from “Parima Mountains” (Caura River region) collected by Klages. On my first expedition this species was not observed, but in 1905 and in 1907, it was noted as not uncommon about Caicara during the month of May. Eye dark; bill black; feet dusky. ANTHRACOTHORAX NIGRICOLLIS ( Vieillot). Trochilus nigricollis Vieill., Nouv. Dict. VII. p. 349. Lampornis nigricollis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 87. ‘Common from the mouth of the river Meta up as far as I ex- tended my explorations. ANTHRACOTHORAX GRAMINEUS (Gmelin). Trochilus gramineus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1: 1788: p. 488. Anthracothorax gramineus Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1913: ‘P. 201 (Pedernales). Recorded by Stone from the delta. CHRYSOLAMPIS ELATUS (Linnaeus). Trochilus mosquitus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1 1766. p. 192. Chrysolampis mosquitus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 87. Common along the middle stretches of the river from Ciudad Bolivar up as far as the mouth of the Meta. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure, Temblador and La Pricion, on the Caura River. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 299 HELIOTHRYX AURITA (Gmelin). Trochilus auritus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 493. Heliothrix aurita Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 88. Rare. One specimen taken at ‘Maipures. ~Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens collected by both Klages and André at points on the Caura River. ANTHOSCENUS LONGIROSTRIS LONGIROsTRIs (Audeb & Vieillot). Trochilus longirostris Aud. & Vieill., Ois. Dor. I. 1802. p. 128, Pl. 59. Floricola longirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 88. Rare. One specimen taken at Maipures; also recorded by Ber- lepsch and Hartert from Suapure and La Pricion on the Caura River. CALLIPHLOX AMETHYSTINA (Gmelin). Trochilus amethystinus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 496. Calliphlox amethystina Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 88. Not observed on my first expedition to the Orinoco, but not un- common at Caicara, both in 1905 and 1907. ‘The specimens secured were feeding about the flowers of low bushes just along a path at the edge of the dark forest. Eye dusky; bill and feet blackish. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure on the Gains River. CATHARMA ORTHURA (Lesson). Ornismya orthura Lesson, Hist. Nat. Troch., p. 85, 88 t. 28, 29 (1832). On my first expedition to the Orinoco this species was not ob- served, but in 1905, and in 3907, during May and June, it was not uncommon about Caicara. The females collected do not have the red apical spots on the throat feathers. On the other hand each feather of the throat has the tip green, similar in shade to the back, and nar- rowly edged with buff. The forward parts of the cheeks are white, and the dusky spots below the eye blend into the dusky greenish feathers of the lower throat forming an ill-defined band across the lower throat. The outer rectrices are tipped with cinnamon. LoPHORNIS ORNATUS (Boddaert ) Trochilus ornatus Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 39. Lophornis ornatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 88. 300 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Not uncommon at Caicara. ‘Three males and one female were taken during June, 1907. One only taken on my first E=peainor Eye dark seal; bill black; feet blackish. POLEMISTRIA VERREAUXI KLAGESI (Berlepsch & Hartert). Lophornis verreauxi klagesi Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. X. 1902. poo: (lype; ex Suapure, Caura ikiver, Venezuela): Not observed on’ the Orinoco proper, but recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure and from La Pricion on the Caura River. DiscoSURA LONGICAUDA (Gmelin). Trochilus longicaudus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 408. Discosura longicauda Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. A single female was taken at Nericagua in April, 1899. Not observed elsewhere. CAPRIMULGIDAE—GOATSUCKERS, NIGHTHAWKS AND WHIP-POOR-WILLS. Five species are included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, each of which is abundant throughout the region. THERMOCHALCIS! CAYENNENSIS INSULARIS (-Richmond). Caprimulgus cayennensis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 1031. Stenopsis cayennensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 80. Stenopsis cayennensis insularis Richmond, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XV: 1902: 159 (Curacao). S[tenopsis] c[ayennensis| insularis Ridgway, Birds N. & M. Am. VI: 1914: 501 (Rio Caura, Venez.). Stenopsis cayennensis monticola Chapman, Bull. A. M. N..H. XXXII: Tord ar73: (.Maripa, Rio Caura,, Viens) Common in the neighborhood of Altagracia, Caicara and Quiri- bana de Caicara. During the day time they frequent the thickets that border the heavily wooded areas, where they may be seen resting on the ground (usually) or on low horizontal branches. A nest with two fresh eggs was found at Caicara, May 8, 1905. The nest was a slight hollow in the bare ground of an open field. The eggs are sibpees ovate in form and measure _17.6 x 24.6 and 17.5 x 23.7 1Richmond Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXVIII: 1r915: 180. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 301 mm. They are a pale vinaceous buff, with two sets of markings, one superimposed above the other. The inner markings are a pale lavender greyish, the outer set ferruginous. In one of the eggs the markings are scattered over the entire surface and consist of irregular lines and dashes. In the other egg the markings are grouped chiefly about the larger end and consist of irregular dots, spots and blotches. NYCTIDROMUS ALBICOLLIS ALBICOLLIS (Gmelin). Caprimulgus albicollis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 1030. Nyctidromus albicollis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. go. Native name Aguita Camino. Common. Eye seal brown; bill black; feet dusky. These birds frequent the more thinly wooded districts or the edges of thick forest region during the daytime, resting on the ground among the fallen leaves, where their colors blend with that of the dead leaves. I have never observed this species perched anywhere except on the ground. At night they come out in the open savannas, and are fre- quently seen about the doorways of the houses as well as out in the country districts. About Caicara fresh eggs are found from early in March until the end of May. ‘There is no nest built and the two eggs are often deposited in the most open, and what would seem dangerous, situations, on the bare ground. ‘Two eggs found on the 9th of March were near the edge of thick forest bordering the river and almost directly in a path much used by cattle, pigs, and other animals. The eggs lay on a spot of bare ground about 8 cm. in diameter surrounded on all sides by dead leaves. Incubation was far advanced and only one egg was preserved. It is a pale vinaceous buff in color marked all over with irregular spots and blotches of vinaceous brown; ovate in form and measures 28.5 x 21 mm. The male parent bird and a set of two fresh eggs were collected May 5th. The bird, when flushed, feigned a broken wing to draw my attention from the eggs. One of these eggs is elliptical-ovate and the other between an elliptical-ovate and an ovate in shape. The mark- ings are in two shades of color, those of a dark vinaceous overlying others of pale vinaceous brown. They measure 28.5 x 21.3 and 28.4 x 20.5 mm. 302 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. NYCTIPOLUS NIGRESCENS (Cab.). Caprimulgus nigrescens Cabanis in Schomburgk Reisen. Brit. Guiana III: (1848): 710 (Brit. Guiana): Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XVII: I9QIo: 381 (Caura, Venezuela). Nyctipolus nigrescens Ridgway, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. XXV: Ig12: p. 198. There are three specimens in the American Museum collection from the Caura River; two from La Union and one from Suapure. CHORDEILES ACUTIPENNIS ACUTIPENNIS (Boddaert). Caprimulgus acutipennis Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 46. Chordeiles acutipennis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. go. Not uncommon. Taken at Altagracia, Quiribana de Caicara and at Maipures. A nest of this species was found at Raton Island about midway between Maipures and the mouth of the Vichada River. ‘The nest, or better, nesting site, was a mere slight hollow near the centre of one of _ the enormous flat-topped granite boulders that are so common along the Orinoco. The colors of the sitting bird blended almost perfectly into the colors of the surroundings and I would not have discovered her had I not flushed her by almost putting my foot upon her. The color of the eggs was also decidedly protective. The eggs were taken Feb- ruary Ist and were entirely fresh. They are nearly elliptical-oval in form, being scarcely noticeably smaller at one end than at the other. The ground color is a pale vinaceous buff and over the entire surface are thickly scattered small, faint, ill-defined markings of greyish under- lying others of pale raw umber. ‘They measure 24.75 x 19.25 and 25x 19.25 mm. NANNOCHORDEILES PUSILLUS SEPTENTRIONALIS Hellm. - Chordeiles pusillus Gould, P. Z. S. 1861. p. 182. Nannochordeiles pusillus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. go. N{annochordeiles| pusillus septentrionalis Hellm., Novit. Zool. XV: 1908: p. 78 (Type ex Maipures). Observed at Maipures only, where two specimens were collected on my first expedition, one in December, the other in January. ee —. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 303 NYCTIPROGNE LEUCOPYGIA (Spix). Caprimulgus leucopygus Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1823. p. 3. Pl. 3. Nyctiprogne leucopygia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. go. Eye blackish; feet dusky slate. This species was in the Delta Region about Las Barrancas, also at Ciudad Bolivar and at Caicara. During the day time these birds con- ceal themselves in the dense thickets bordering ponds and streams, where they may be found perched on horizontal *tranches from 30 to 100 cm. from the ground. They perch crossways of the branch, and not infrequently I have seen from two to eight or ten huddled close beside one another all facing in the same direction. PODAGER NACUNDA ( Vieillot). Caprimulgus nacunda Vieill., Nouv. Dict. x. p. 240 (1817). Two taken at San Mateo de Caicara; male May toth and female May 2sth. Eye dark; bill blackish; feet dusky grey. On my previous visits to the Orinoco this species was observed on ‘two cccasions but no specimens were collected. ‘It seems to keep entirely to the open savanna not even seeking the protection and concealment of thickets when at rest during the day. In my rather long experience as a collector I have met with very few birds as difficult to make up into good skins as the present species. MICROPODIDA:—THE SWIFTS. Only three species were included in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, two of which number were collected on the Orinoco proper and the third recorded from Suapure on the Caura River. Additional col- lecting will almost certainly add to this number. CLAUDIA SQUAMATA (Cassin). Cypselus squamatus Cass., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VI. 1853. p. 360. Claudia squamata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 91. This species was abundant about Altagracia and at Caicara where they were frequently cbserved coursing over the savannas during the afternoon, when the sun was hottest. They were noted in parties of from twenty to fifty. 304. * BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. CHAETURA SPINICAUDA (T'emminck ). Cypselus spinicaudus Temm., Tabl. Méth. in Pl. Col. I. 1839. p. 57. Chaetura spinicauda Berlepsch & Hartert, p. ot. Not observed on the Orinoco by the writer, but recorded by Ber- lepsch and Hartert from Suapure on the Caura River. CHAETURA ANDREI Berlepsch & Hartert. Chaetura andrei Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. 1X. 1902. p. 91 (Type, g, ex Caicara, Orinoco River, Venezuela. Cherrie Coll. No. 10534.) I arrived at Altagracia the first of November, but no specimens of this swift were observed until the 2nd of February following; after that date they were seen but owing to their habit of flying high up, speci- mens were secured with the greatest difficulty. Noted as not uncommon at Caicara during March and April. PICIDAE—THE, WOODPECKERS. Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper includes seventeen species, fifteen of which number were observed and collected by the writer on the Orinoco proper, the other two species included in that list came frorn points on the Caura River. Key TO GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF PICIDAE. a. Tail-feathers stiff and pointed. b. Middle of belly bright red or reddish. c. Back barred black and white. d. Rump and upper tail-coverts white, not barred............... Centurus subelegans. d’. Rump and upper tail-coverts white, barred like back.......... Centurus terricolor. c’. Back black, not barred. d. With a white superciliary stripe and yellow nuchal band...... Tripsurus cruentatus. d’, Without superciliary stripe or yellow nuchal band............ Tvripsurus rubrifrons. b’. Middle of belly not red or reddish. c. Under-parts barred or spotted with black or blackish. d. Chin, throat and sides of head yellow. (In males a short, red tala Streadlk:) haut. cick -.sloee geet ee en Ce) et ete EL ee Chloroner pes flavigula. d’. Chin, throat and sides of head not uniform yellow. é- sUnder-pants:. spotted with black. iy sence acide errerrinals Chrysoptilus punctigula punc- tipectus. e’. Under-parts barred with black. f. General color of upper-parts black. g. Outer hind toe longer than outer front toe (centre of backlargelyawhtte) ke r.ton ee ee eis Re ee eta Scapaneus melanoleucos. g. Outer hind toe not longer than outer front toe (centre of back black=and|spacularsiwhite)iee cee one ree Ceophloerus lineatus. f’. General color of upper-parts olive or yellowish green. g. Wing-quills barred with buffy or white on inner webs. h. Wing-coverts with buffy or white spots. i. Upper back slightly tinged with reddish........... Veniliornis passerinus. i’. Back golden olive without reddish tinge........... Veniliornis cassini. h’. Wing-coverts without spots but with yellowish shaft lines showing through the reddish tips (obsolete in SOMTE) sos wrote asl e, lake role che ees auctenskel theca eerste dec ees ars Veniliornis orenocensis. g’. Wing-quills not barred on inner webs................. Chloronerpes rubiginosus. } 1Has been recorded from points in the state of Bermudez, Venezuela and from Brit. Guiana. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. » 305 . Under-parts not barred or spotted with black. d. General color above and below yellowish buff................ Crocomorphus flavus. d’. General color above not yellowish buff. e. Back black. f. Basal half or more of primaries (except the two outermost) az elDLOw rts serovar cape ts = eens eae nes cites seers He Scapaneus trachelopyrus. f’. Outer webs of primaries black (or at least with broad black CG ES) ee cos Wee eared SOR Grd De ne Nee ee Re, Scapaneus rubricollis. , e’. Back chestnut brown. f. General color of under parts brown, darker than back. g. Crest dark chestnut, darker than back............... Celeus jumana. g. Crest tawny or cinnamon brown. . SOC RGAAMAOR OMG ¢ Celeus elegans hellmayri. f’. Lower throat and breast black, remaining under parts dark Hilineys Mie nihe ee heretic ect eiom sate nett a ee aaice ee Cerchneipicus lorquatus. Tail-feathers soft (Picumnus). b. Under-parts barred with black. c. Feathers of crown tipped with red or yellow. a’. Omeleataersrom crowm tipped with redo: ss.) 4.6. eset aoe eek o'Picumnus undulatus. d’. Feathers of crown tipped with yellow....................... oPicumnus stellae. c’. Feathers of crown with white or pale yellowish tips............. 9 Picumnus slellae. : © Picumnus undulatus. Dee oder pantswmombarredeut hi meere tere, cece heen mene wos Guice Socok Picumnus leucogaster. CHLORONERPES FLAVIGULA (Boddaert). Picus flavigula Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 40. Chloronerpes flavigula Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 9. ; Observed only in the heavily wooded region, beyond the falls of Atures. Muller and Iglseder collected a specimen at the Foot of Mount Duida (Am. Mus. Collection). CHRYSOPTILUS PUNCTIGULA PUNCTIPECTUS Cabanis & Heine. Chrysoptilus punctipectus Cab. & Hein., Mus. Hein. IV. 1863. p. 163. Chrysoptilus punctigulus guttatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 92. Common from Ciudad Bolivar to the mouth of the Apure. Found more commonly in the scattering clumps of trees on the savannas than in the heavy timber along the river. Eye seal brown; bill blackish slate; feet olive green. CENTURUS SUBELEGANS SUBELEGANS Bonaparte. Centurus subelegans Bonaparte, P. Z. S. 1837: p. 109 (“Mexico”- Venezuela, see Bonaparte Consp. Av. i: 1850: 119). Common at Ciudad Bolivar and at Caicara. Like the preceding species this is rarely met with in heavily wooded districts. Eye mummy brown; bill black; feet dusky slate. CENTURUS TERRICOLOR Berlepsch. Centurus terricolor Berl., Ibis, 1880. p. 130. Melanerpes terricolor Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 92. Berlepsch and Hartert include all the specimens of Centurus that I sent to the Tring Museum as terricolor, but the specimens secured on 306 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. later expeditions have all been subelegans! None have been seen having the rump and upper tail-coverts barred—the distinguishing character of terricolor. I am inclined to agree with Richmond! that terricolor of Berlepsch is the same as subelegans of Bonaparte. TRIPSURUS CRUENTATUS (Boddaert). Picus cruentatus Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 43. Melanerpes cruentatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 92. Rare. Two collected at Munduapo in February (Berl. & Hart. 1. c.). Eye lemon yellow, eye-lids black, bare skin about eyes straw yel- low; bill slate black; feet plumbeous pea green. _ TRIPSURUS RUBRIFRONS (Spix). Picus rubrifrons Spix, Av. Bras. I: (1824): p. 61 (“in sylvis Parae’’). Melanerpes cruentatus Berl. & Hart., Novit. Zool. IX: 1902: 92 in part (Suapure). T[ripsurus] rubrifrons Ridgway, Birds of N. & M. America VI: 1914: 118. In the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, birds from Suapure (Caura River) are entered as cruentatus. There are, however, in the American Museum collections, six Caura River specimens (one male from Suapure | and four females and one male from La Union) that are certainly rubrifrons. The Suapure male shows a distinct, although imperfect, postocular superciliary stripe; it is entirely absent in the four females and male from La Union: and none of the specimens show a trace of the conspicuous yellow nuchal band of cruentatus. VENILIORNIS CASSINI (Malherbe). Mesopicus cassini Malh., Picidae, II. 1862. p. 55. Pl. 68, figs. 2, 3. Ventiornis cassint Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 93. Not observed on the Orinoco proper but recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure and from La Pricion on the Caura River. VENILIORNIS ORENOCENSIS Berlepsch & Hartert. Veniliornis orenocensis Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 93. (Type, ex “regione fluminis Orinoco”) ; I would substitute Mundu- apo, Orinoco River. 1P.U.S.N.M. XVIII: 1895: p. 667. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 307 Although Berlepsch and Hartert give the habitat of this species as covering the region from Angostura (Ciudad Bolivar) to Munduapo, inclusive, it was. not observed below the falls of Atures by the writer, its place being taken on the middle stretches of the river—between the mouth of the Meta River and Ciudad Bolivar—by the following species. Eye vandyke brown; bill above black, below slate grey; feet olive plumbeous. In the American Museum are two specimens from Boca de Sina, Cunucunuma River, Upper Orinoco. VENILIORNIS PASSERINUS (Linnaeus). Picus passermus 1.., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 174. Veniliornis passerinus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 93 (in part). Common from Ciudad Bolivar to Caicara and beyond as far as the mouth of the Meta. Eye dark sepia brown; bill black; feet plumbeous olive. CELEUS ELEGANS HELLMAYRI Berlepsch. Celeus elegans hellmayri Berlepsch, Novit. Zool. XV: 1908: 272 (Brit. Guiana; Venezuela). Celeus elegans reichenbachi Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII: 1906: p. 40 (Guanoco, Orinoco Delta, Venezuela). There is a specimen, an adult female, in the American Museum col- lection, that was taken by Klages at La Union, Caura River, Oct. 7, IQOl. The absence of pale shaft-streaks or spots on the feathers of the back and upper wing-coverts (as pointed out by Hellmayr) serves to distinguish this race from elegans elegans and elegans leotaudi. CELEUS JUMANA (Spix). Picus yumana Spix, Ay. Bras: I. 1824. p. 57. Pl..47, figs. 1 @,2 9. Celeus jumana Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 94. Common on the upper river from Perico onwards, as far as I col- lected. ; CELEUS GRAMMIcuUS (Malherbe). Picus grammicus Malh., Mem. Soc. Roy. Liége, 1845. p. 69. Celeus grammicus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 94. Not common. Taken only at Munduapo and Nericagua. 308 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. CERCHNEIPICUS TORQUATUS (Boddaert). Picus torquatus Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 52. Cerchneipicus torquatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 94. Not observed by the writer. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure and from La Pricion on the Caura River, and there are two specimens from La Union in the American Museum collection. CROCOMORPHUS FLAVUS (Mull.). Picus flavus Mill., Syst. Nat. Supplement, 1776. p. 91. Crocomorphus flavus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 94. Not observed below Altagracia but collected there, at Caicara, and up as far as the falls of Maipures. ”j Eye carmine red; bill chrome yellow shading into sulphur yellow at the base of the mandible; feet dark pea green. This species I did not see in the sparsely wooded savanna districts. It kept to the heavier forests along the Orinoco. The call notes of this woodpecker are somewhat like those of our Great-crested Fly- catcher—not what one expects from a woodpecker. ‘They are usually seen in pairs or family parties of two adults and three or four imma- ture birds. Specimens that I have collected have had the feet invariably covered with a mass of small black ants (dead) held by some sticky sub- stance, and the birds themselves have a strong odor of formic acid. SCAPANEUS RUBRICOLLIS ( Boddaert). Picus rubricollis Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p: 37. Campephilus rubricollis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 95. Rare, seen only in the heavily wooded region above the falls. Two specimens were collected at Munduapo. Eye light lemon yellow; bill pale horn color, ridge of culmen dusky and base of mandible shaded with greenish; feet dark sage green. SCAPANEUS MELANOLEUCOS (Gmelin). Picus melanoleucos Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 462. Campephilus melanoleucus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 95. Native name Carpintero Soldado. Not rare, but very wary and somewhat difficult to collect. Keeps to heavily timbered districts. Noted and specimens collected at Ciudad Bolivar, but rarely below the mouth of the Apure. Seen on the upper river as far as I extended my explorations. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 309 CEOPHLOEUS LINEATUS (Linnaeus). Picus lineatus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12, 1766. p. 174. Ceophloeus lineatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 95. This, like the preceding species, is known as Carpintero Soldado Not uncommon on the middle Orinoco from some distance below Ciudad Bolivar to the falls of Atures. Eye straw yellow; bill dusky slate above, whitish below; feet plumbeous. PICUMNUS LEUCOGASTER Pelzeln. Picumnus leucogaster Pelz., Orn. Bras. 1869. pp. 24 333 Berlepsch ies Hartert, p. 95. Not common. This is the only species of Picumnus seen on the middle Orinoco. Specimens were collected at Altagracia and Caicara. PICUMNUS UNDULATUS Hargitt. Picumnus undulatus Hargitt, Ibis 1889. p. 354; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 95. Rare on the Orinoco where two specimens only were collected by the writer on the upper river, one at Perico in September and the other at Nericagua in March. Not uncommon on the Caura River, as Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens from La Union, Suapure, La Pricion and Nicare. PICUMNUS STELLAE! Berlepsch & Hartert. Picumnus stellae Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 96 (Type, 2 ex Maipures, Orinoco River). This was the common form of Picuwmnus on the upper river. It was not observed below the falls of Atures. Eye seal brown; bill black, basal half of mandible slate grey; feet plumbeous. CUCULIDAE—THE CUCKOOS. Berlepsch and Hartert include ten species in their list. Nine of the ten were collected on the Orinoco proper by the writer, and one (Piaya melanogastra), noted only from its tributary, the Caura River. _ 1This species was named after Mrs. Cherrie, who accompanied me on the first Orinoco expedition, sharing the hardships and pleasures of camp life,—ignoring the former and adding much to the latter. 310 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. I am now able to add to the list C. euleri—very distinct from C. ameri- canus, but sometimes confused with that species. The species of Piaya and of Crotophaga and Tapera naevia are, I believe, resident in all localities where found, while the species of Coc- cyzus are transient, or at best, not permanent residents in the Orinoco region and ark known collectively as Crecienteros, a vernacular name alluding to the fact that they appear at the season of the annual rise of the Orinoco. KEY TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF CUCULIDAE. a. Maxilla very deep, much compressed; general color of plumage above and below black. }. Sides of maxilla smooth with neither longitudinal groovesnorridges . Crotophaga ani. b’. Sides of maxilla ridged or grooved longitudinally. c. Larger, wing more than 17 cm.; upper parts of body glossed with Lridescéntisteel DING. ae ceacrsss mitts eee oan Ses dagoce one Crotophaga major. c’. Smaller, wing less than 17 cm.; body glossed with iridescent PUPP Shy Ys claves ehh Seamehels pat ckeer srs eae rales niles nme eel See cvetcney a tees Crotophaga sulcirostris. a’. Maxilla not abnormally deep and compressed, and general color of plumage not black. 6. General color of upper-parts red-brown. c. Top of head grey, in sharp contrast with red-brown back ....... Piaya melanogasira. c’, Head not grey, nearly uniform with back. d. Smaller, total length less than 30cm.................- ee... Piayarutila orinocensis. d’. Larger, total length more than 30 cm. e. Outer webs of second and third pairs of rectrices largely rufous (except for the blackish subapical band, about 25 mm. in CD16 hcl o) Ree en meen PEN ren ie apie eect anya) Seinen eye, ots, Minit rola sti cre Piavya cayana insulana. e’. Outer webs of second and third pairs of rectrices not rufous. . f. Tail-feathers underneath nearly uniform blackish, with little or no trace of rusty shading, and blackish subterminal band almost obsolete...... Patscoon peorctseble se nbys iooouesec Piaya cayana cayana. f’. Tail underneath blackish but with a distinct rusty shading, and narrow subapical band about 1omm.inwidth......... Piaya cayana columbiana. b’. General color of upper-parts not red-brown. Gs yew aatee, tail more than 20cm.; none of the rectrices white tipped. d. Chin and upper throat dusky brownish, merging into black on lower throat; breast and belly dusky mouse-gray.............. Neomorpbhus nigrogularis. d’. Chin and upper throat smoke-gray, followed by a band across the lower throat and neck where the feathers have black tips (narrow anteriorly but occupying half or more of feather posteri- orly) ; breast and belly drab gray ;under tail-covertsdusky brown Neomorphusrufipennis. Ge Seal, tail less than 20 cm.; rectrices (except intermediae) white tipped. d. Crested; upper-parts more or less streaked with blackish........ Tapera naevia. d’. Not crested, and upper-parts not streaked. e. Chin and throat hazel brown, in sharp contrast with remaining LOWER DATES ce sis one ees ee ee ae ee Ce ie Micrococeyx pumilus. e’. Color of chin and throat not in sharp contrast with remaining lower parts. f. Mandible black; lower parts strongly suffused with buff.... Coccyzus melacoryphus. f’. Mandible yellowish or orange with blackish tip; under parts not strongly buff. g. Much rufous on both outer and inner webs of inner PEMIMMATIOS cots palaces ie yal sv atar ese ein aitelcn le ao tial oe aeaies remeron Coccysus americanus. ie’. NVishOutLrULOUS OM wiDEIcIISie i). cdeie cheresoneie eine eucaeretere Coccyzus eulert. CoccyzUS AMERICANUS (Linnaeus). Cuculus americanus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 1758. p. IIT. Coccyzus americanus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 96. Two of the cuckoos sent to the Tring Museum were identified by Messrs. Berlepsch and Hartert, as C. americanus; one, a female, was CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 3II collected at Altagracia in November, and a male was taken at Neri- cagua, on the upper river, in April. Coccyzus EULERI Cabanis. Coccysus culeri Cabanis, Journ. f. Orn. 1873. p. 73. (ex Cantagallo). Two specimens were taken, both females, that differed slightly in the colors of- the bill, eye-lids, etc. The first,. collected at Ciudad Bolivar, April 15, 1905 (No. 13443 Geo. K. Cherrie Coll.) had the eye seal brown, eye-lids lemon yellow; bill above black with basal cutting edges olive yellow, mandible chrome yellow with blackish tip; feet dusky slate grey. The second collected at Caicara, June 10, 1905 (No. 13856 Geo. K. Cherrie Coll.) had the eye seal brown, eye-lids blackish; maxilla, and extreme tip of mandible black, with basal cutting edges of maxilla, to a line bordering the lower edge of the nostrils and extending nearly one- half way to the tip, and mandible orange-buff; feet dusky slate grey. The ovaries of the latter bird were much enlarged, indicating the near approach of the breeding season. My attention was drawn to this bird by hearing the familiar “rain crow’s” note. It is in what I believe to be full nuptial plumage—a delicate pearl grey on breast, sides and flanks, shading to an almost silvery white on_the belly. C. euleri is at once distinguished from C. americanus by the entire absence of rufous on both the outer and inner webs of the wing quills and the darker general color above. This species has not been previously recorded from Venezuela. CoccyZUS MELACORYPHUS Vieillot. Coccyzus melacoryphus Vieill., Nouv. Diet. VIII. 1817. p. 271; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 97. On my first expedition this species was observed only once, a single specimen having been collected at Quiribana de Caicara April 28, 1898. It was not seen in 1905, but in 1907 two were collected at Caicara in June; and at Las Barrancas (in the Delta region) it was common during July. One of the specimens collected at Las Barrancas seems some- what abnormally colored, or may possibly represent another race. Below, it is exactly similar to typical examples of C. melacoryphus; above, the back is also similar, but the wings are decidedly different, the quills being dull rufous brownish on both webs, except the tips 312 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. which are dusky. The primary-coverts are also strongly dull rufous brownish as are also the outer webs and tips of the greater wing- coverts. The pattern of coloration is similar to that of the wings of the yellow-billed cuckoo (C. americanus). It is possible this rufous shading is characteristic of immature birds. Micrococcyx PUMILUS (Strickland). Coccysus pumilus Strickl., Contrib. Orn. 1852. p. 28. Pl. 82; Berlepsch ouElartert.p. 07. In the American Museum collection is a specimen collected by Klages at Maripa on the Caura. The forehead, crown and occiput are gull gray; the mantle and lower back mouse gray; the two colors blend- ing insensibly into one another at the base of the occiput. The wings and tail are browner; the primaries blackish, especially toward the tip; the ends of the rectrices are black, narrowly tipped with white; sides of head, chin and throat hazel brown; breast and belly pale buffy; flanks, thighs and under wing- and tail-coverts buff; under surface of tail gray, the inner webs of the rectrices buff basally. Wing 103; tail 105 ; bill 17 mm. Rare. An adult male was taken, on my first expedition, at Quiri- bana de Caicara, April 29, 1905, and a second adult male at Caicara, May 2, 1905. Eye carmine, eye-lids carmine; bill black; feet slate gray. PIAYA MELANOGASTRA ( Vieillot). Cuculus melanogaster Vieill., Nouv. Dict. VIII. 1817. p. 236. Piaya melanogastra Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 97. Not observed by the writer on the Orinoco proper, but included in Berlepsch and Hartert’s list based on a single specimen collected by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River. There is now a specimen in the American Museum collection taken at the foot of Mt. Duida. PIAYA CAYANA CAYANA Linnaeus. Cuculus cayanus 1,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12.1766. p. 170. Piaya cayana guianensis Berlepsch, Ibis. 1884. p. 435. (Angostura) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 97, part (Suapure and La Pricion, Caura River, Venez.) ; Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 43. Piaya cayana cayana Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 35; Stone, Proc. Phila. Acad. Sci. LX. 1908. pp. 497-8 (Suapure). A study of the specimens in this museum from the Orinoco CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION, 313 region, together with those in the collection of the American Mu- seum, convinces me that there are only two ways in which they can be treated logically. Either all must be lumped together under a single name (possibly P. c. columbiana); or, three or four distinct races must be recognized as inhabiting that region. I have adopted the latter course—my conclusions, therefore, being quite at variance with those of the two authors! who have most recently studied the P. cayana group. The native name of the birds of this group is Piscua. They frequent the less heavily wooded districts. Birds from the Caura River (American Museum collection), a single example from the San Feliz River near its junction with the Cuchivero River, and British Guiana specimens are readily separable from the middle Orinoco birds by the darker ash grey of the breast and more sooty blackish or greyish of the under tail-coverts. Also the tail-feathers underneath are uniformly blackish with little or no trace of rusty shading, and the subterminal bar practically obsolete. Above, these birds are uniformly darker, more inclined to bay—with less ferruginous. PIAYA CAYANA COLUMBIANA (Cabanis). Pyrrhocorax columbianus Cabanis, Journ. f. Orn. 1862. p. 70 (Car- tagena). Piaya cayana guianensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 97, part. (Points on the Orinoco; Altagracia, Caicara, Ciudad Bola) Hellmayr, ib. XIII. 1907. p. 44. (Orinoco points.) Piaya cayana cayana Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIV. 1907. p. 35 (Ori- noco valley). The birds from the middle Orinoco region—from Ciudad Bolivar (where P. c. cayana is also found) up at least as far as the mouth of the Meta River—seem to me referable to this race. While closely related to typical cayana, they average much lighter in color, as pointed out in my remarks under that race; and ‘the rusty shading of the under side of the tail-feathers seems to afford a ready means of separating the two races. Eye dark lake red, bare skin about eye carmine; bill citron yellow distally shading to an apple green at base; feet plumbeous. 1Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. pp. 43-4; 1b. XIV. 1907. 35. Stone . Proc. Phila. Acad. Sci. LX. 1908 (published January, 1900). pp. 492-501. 314 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. The specimens in the American Museum collection from Boca de Sina, Cunucunuma River (Upper Orinoco) differ from examples from the middle Orinoco in the almost total absence of the rusty shading of the under side of the tail-feathers, as in.c. cayana, but their much darker, more intense bay (with a distinct purplish sheen in certain lights) rather than chestnut seems to separate them from that race. It is possible these birds are representatives of the race (c. venesuelensis) described by Cory (Orn. Series Field Mus. Pub. 1; May, 1913: p. 284). I feel that a series from the Upper Orinoco would show the birds from that region to be a distinct race. PIayA CAYANA INSULANA Hellmayr. Piaya cayana insulana Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XIII. 1906. p. 43 (Type, ex Chaguaramas, Trinidad). Hitherto this race has been known from Trinidad only, but speci- mens collected at Las Barrancas (delta region) and compared with Trinidad examples show them to be identical. Birds of this race are closely related to those from the middle Orinoco, but are brighter and lighter cinnamon-rufous, or ferruginous above (very much paler than Guiana birds); and as pointed out by their describer, they have the outer webs of the second and third rectrix entirely rufous, except for the blackish subapical band. ‘The sub-terminal black bars on the rectrices are broader and more sharply defined than in Guiana or Orinoco birds, averaging 25 mm. while in the birds of the middle Orinoco the average does not exceed 10 mm. A pair were observed carrying nesting material August Ist. PIAYA RUTILA ORINOCENSIS Cherrie. Piaya rutila orinocensis Cherrie, Bul. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XXXV, 1916, P- 393- Piaya rutila Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 97. Not common, but noted at Las Barrancas-(Delta region), Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia and up as far as Maipures. Eye vermillion red; bill sulphur yellow; feet dusky plumbeous olive. TAPERA NAEVIA (Linnaeus). Cuculus naevius L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1776. p. 170. Diplopterus naevius Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 98. Not common. Native name Pavita. While nowhere common ee CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION, Sr5 this species was observed everywhere from Las Barrancas and Ciudad Bolivar as far as I worked on the upper river. Adult female, eye clay color; bill, ridge of culmen clove brown, cutting edge of maxilla cinnamon brown, mandible brown. NEOMORPHUS RUFIPENNIS (Gray). Cultrides rufipennis Gray, P. Z. S. 1849: p. 63. pl. 10 (Guiana). Two specimens from the Caura River are in the American Museum Collection. — NEOMORPHUS NIGROGULARIS Chapman. Neomorphus mgrogularis Chapman, Bull. Am. Nat. Hist. XXXIII: 1914: p. 194 (Foot of Mt. Duida, Venezuela). Type in the collection of the American Museum. CROTOPHAGA ANI Linnaeus. Crotophaga ani L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 1758. p. 105; Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 435 (Angostura) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 98. Native name Tio Louis. Common along the middle stretches of the river from Ciudad Bolivar and Caicara beyond the falls of Mai- pures as far as I extended my explorations. Eye seal brown; bill and feet black. CROTOPHAGA SULCIROSTRIS Swainson. Crotophaga sulcirostris Swainson, Philos. Mag. New & Unit. Ser. I: (1827): 440 (Mexico): Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 98. The three species of Crotophaga seem to be found throughout the Orinoco region. Of the two smaller forms C. ani is the more abun- dant. I did not observe sulcirostris above the falls, but Miller collected a specimen for the American Museum at Maipures. CROTOPHAGA MAJOR Gmelin. a major Gm., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 1788. p. 363; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 98. Native name Hervidor Oriquelo. Not observed below Ciudad Bolivar, but noted at almost all points visited beyond. ‘This species frequents the tangled thickets and densely wooded areas that cover or border swamps, ponds or water courses. Like other members of the genus they are social, going about in small flocks of from six or eight to twenty or thirty. 316 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. The native name Hervidor is derived from the Spanish verb hervir —to boil—doubtless in allusion to the peculiar vocal performance which certainly is much like the sound of bubbling, boiling water. These cuckoos are occasionally seen in a state of semi-domesti- cation about the native houses. CAPITONIDAE—THE BARBETS OR THICKHEADS. Two races of a single species are known from the Orinoco region. CAPITO AURATUS INTERMEDIUS Berlepsch & Hartert. Capito auratus intermedius Berlepsch & Hartert, Novit. Zool. IX. 1902. p. 98. (Type, ex Nericagua, upper Orinoco, Venez.). Only two specimens, a male and a female, were collected on my first expedition, at Nericagua, on the upper Orinoco. There is a series in the American Museum collection from Boca de Sina, Cunucunuma River (upper Orinoco), that doubtless should be re- ferred to this race. They show, however, a considerable orange wash on the lower breast and abdomen, a character supposed to be distinctive of a. aurantiicinctus, and are scarcely to be distinguished from a couple or Caura River specimens. I am consequently doubtful if intermedius is*a Valid face. CAPITO AURATUS AURANTIICINCTUS Dalmas. Capito aurantiicinctus Dalmas, Bull. Soc. Zool. France. 1900. p. 178 (“Dans le bassin de la riviére Caura’’). Capito auratus aurantiicinctus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 99. In the Am. Museum collection are two specimens from La Union (Caura River). One shows a considerable amount of the orange color on the middle of the breast that is supposed to be distinctive of the race. First described and recorded from the Caura River by Dalmas. Berlepsch and Hartert record a specimen collected by André at Nicare on the same river. RAMPHASTIDAE—THE TOUCANS. Nine species are embraced in the Berlepsch and Hartert paper, but only five were collected by the writer on the Orinoco proper, the remain- ing four having been collected by either Klages or André at points on the Caura River. None were seen until I arrived in the heavily forested regions beyond the falls of Maipures. a CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 3L7 The name Piapoco is applied to the toucans of the region collec- tively. Key TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF RHAMPHASTIDAE. a. Nostrilsopening behind the casque (Ramphastos). Upper tail-coverts lemon yellow, general color of billreddish........ Ramphastos monilis. b’. Upper tail-coverts red (scarlet) or orange or in combination; general color of bill blackish. Caw pperitall-coventsqnitormiscanleter.s: oa. citseic ce ve dee enue anc Rampbhastos vitellinus. c’. Upper tail-coverts not uniform scarlet. d. Throat white, biending into yellow,varying inshade from lemon” to orange, followed by a scarlet band, the scarlet extending centrallyabackontoitheipredastes a4. 04). oes Notharchus hyperrhynchus dy- soni. d’. Middle of belly and breast buffy, thickly barred with narrow : (ie Elatsl Nlghateeto oc dass Sia Giga A CGO CIO DIDO OE NEN ICI RDS EEC ON RCROTE sc Argicus macrodacilylus chap- mani. 320 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. c’. Head and back thickly barred with black lines................... Bucco capensis. a’. Without black bands across breast although the throat and breast may be blackish. b. Throat chestnut or hazel brown. c. Feathers of breast and sides with broad terminal black spots or Dov hac Cope eee ee ee Se Ree PERE CH ER Led ee emmy aoe 6 SO OSS Nystactes tamatia tamatia. c’, Feathers of breast and sides without terminal black spotsorbands. Nonnula duidae. 6’. Throat slate gray or black. G7 Bill feds tamip slate gray like back 7s 2 eee ee Bucco CAPENsIs Linnaeus. Bucco capensis L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. p. 168; Berlepsch & Hartert, De al@2: This species was met with on my first expedition, only a, single specimen, an adult female collected at the Mataben Rapids,! February 2, 1899. NoTHARCHUS HYPERRHYNCHUS DYSONI (Sclater). Bucco dysoni Sclater, P. Z. S. 1885: p. 193 (Honduras) ; Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. sor3 =p. 199° (Manimio River): Notharchus hyperrhynchus dysoni Ridgway, Birds N. & M. Am. VI: FOLE: 370) Stone records this species from the delta region. NoTrHARCHUS TECTUS TECTUS (Boddaert). Bucco tectus Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 43; Berlepsch & Hartert, py 102, Biucco| t\ectus| tectusiellm:, Pl-Z. 5. Partie lV. 191, 95 (Caura River). Not observed on the Orinoco. Berlepsch and Hartert record speci- mens collected by Klages at Suapure and at La Pricion on the Caura River. ARGICUS MACRODACTYLUS CAURENSIS Cherrie. Argicus macrodactylus caurensis Cherrie, Bul. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., XXXV. 1916, p. 389. Bucco macrodactylus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 102. Rare. One taken, an adult male, at Maipures, December 21, 1898. The eye is liver brown; bill black; feet smoke grey. NYSTACTES TAMATIA TAMATIA (Gmelin). Bucco tamatia Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 405; Berlepsch & Hartert, pealoz 1The Mataben Rapids are above the falls of Maipures, between that point and the mouth of the Vichada River. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 321 Bucco tamatia tamatia Hellmayr, Novit. Zool. XVII: I9g10; 391 (Maipures). Rare; two were taken at Maipures, one in December and one in January. The American Museum has an example collected at the same place in April. Eye walnut brown; bill black; feet olive plumbeous. HyPNELUS BIcINCTUS (Gould). Tamatia bicinctus Gould, P. Z. S. 1836. p. 8o. Bucco bicinctus Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 435 (Angostura) ; Berlepsch & Fartert, p: 102, Adult male: eye straw yellow; bill black; feet plumbeous olive. Common. Found most commonly in the thinly wooded savanna regions. The nesting habits of this species are somewhat extraordinary. The nest is excavated by the parent bird, in one of the large nests of the common termite (the white ant of the region) which form so con- spicuous an object in many of the forest trees. The entrance is usually placed at about the middle on one side of the termite nest; the excava- tion then passes backward and upward for nearly the entire diameter of the termite dwelling, and is terminated with a slightly enlarged spherical chamber about 15 cm. in diameter. The entrance tunnel is about 8 cm. in diameter. No nesting material is carried in and the eggs are deposited on the debris at the bottom of the nest cavity. A nest found at Caicara May 6th contained a single fresh egg. The parent bird remained in the nest cavity until I had cut and hacked at the termite nest (which by the way is exceedingly tough and hard) for some time. She must have been covered with the termites for they swarmed out everywhere over the nest in countless numbers, and the question uppermost in my mind was: How were the birds able to make their excavation in the face of the hoards of creeping biting termites? The egg is white, slightly glossy, short ovate in shape, and measures 24.6 x 20 mm. In the American Museum collection are three examples from Maripa on the Caura River. NONNULA DUIDAE Chapman. Nonnula duidae Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. XXXIIT: 1914: 195 (Foot Mt. Duida, Venez.). The type is in the collection of the American Museum. 322 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Monasa nicra (Muller). Cuculus niger Miull., Syst. Nat. Supplement, 1776. p. go. Monasa nigra Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 103. Native name Pico de Lacre.. Not observed on the lower Orinoco, but common from near the mouth of the Meta and beyond. Also com- mon on the San Feliz River, near its junction with the Cuchivero River and recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from points on the Caura River. In fresh birds the eye is bay brown; bill poppy red; feet slate grey. Birds of this species will frequently sit on low branches five or six feet from the ground, stupidly watching one until they can be almost taken in the hand. They were only observed in heavily timbered districts. A female shot at Nericagua March 27th had an egg in the oviduct that would soon have been deposited. It was pure white in color. A nest, with young nearly able to shift for themselves, was found at La Cascabel on the San Feliz River, near its union with the Cuchi- vero River, on the 27th day of May, 1907. The nest proper was at the bottom of an excavation 1.5 m. in depth. It was situated in a belt of heavy timber, on level ground, bordering the San Feliz River. The excavation (whether made by the puff-bird, or not, I am unable to say)? descended at an angle of about 45° from the horizontal and was about 7.6 cm. in diameter. Over the entrance had been heaped a pile of rotten coarse dead twigs, as large as a half bushel measure, and having a rounded tunnel running along the ground from one edge to the entrance of the ground excavation. This pile of sticks forming a barrier to the real nest ent- rance was unquestionably of recent construction. The nest was discovered by hearing the cries of the young issuing from what seemed only a pile of brush. Birds in juvenal plumage resemble the adults except that the white patch on the bend of the wing is lacking, and the bill is a dusky dirty white. CHELIDOPTERA TENEBROSA TENEBROSA (Pallas). Cuculus tenebrosus Pallas, Neue. Nord. Beytr. III. 1782. p. 2. Chelidoptera tenebrosa Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 103. Eye seal brown; bill black; feet slate color. 1There was no loose dirt about the entrance to indicate that the cavity was of recent excavation. ~ CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 323 Not uncommon. Frequents open glades in forest regions or the less heavily wooded districts bordering open savannas. The nesting season continues from February to June. The nest is an excavation made by the birds themselves, sometimes in the bank of a stream, after the manner of our Bank Swallow, and again in level ground. A nest containing two slightly incubated eggs found at Munduapo River, Orinoco, on March 2nd, 1899 (No. 12155 Coll. Geo. K. and Stella M. Cherrie) was situated in the gently sloping bank of the river about ten meters back from the water’s edge and about two meters above its surface. The excavation went straight back from the entrance to the nest proper, sloping downward at an angle of 30° with the horizontal, and for a distance of 150 cm. from the entrance. ‘The nest chamber was merely a slight enlargement of the end of the tunnel. There was no nesting material and the eggs lay on the bare sand. ‘The bottom of the nest was 75 cm. from the surface. The parent bird was seen to come from the nest, and during my excavating of the two slightly glossy pure white eggs she remained sitting within easy range on the topmost branch of a tree on the shore. Not a note (that I heard) did she utter or show any special interest in the locality. A nest containing two eggs, with incubation far advanced was found at Caicara, May 6, 1905. The excavation for this nest was made in nearly level ground at the edge of the open savanna. The burrow extended straight backward and downward at an angle of about 30° with the surface. The nest chamber was about one meter from the entrance and 30 cm. below the surface. A. small quantity of short bits of dead grass had been taken in as a nest lining. One of the eggs is short ovate in form, the other ovate. They measured 24x19 and 26x 19.5 cm. A rather remarkable thing about these nests, as in that of Monasa nigra, is that the dirt that is excavated is not seen about the mouth of the entrance tunnel. Near Caicara, on the 8th of May, 1907, I found two nests each with two young birds. Judging from the young found in these two nests, and from those found in other nests examined, I believe that ordinar- ily one of the two young is born several days before the other. At birth the young are slate black in color, they are entirely naked (without a trace of natal down) and the eyes do not open until about the third or fourth day. When about half grown or a little less, the pin feathers 324 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. of the juvenal plumage appear. This plumage is similar to the adult plumage. At about the same time that the pin-feathers begin to appear, the young commence to creep out to the entrance to their burrows, where they sprawl in the sun and await the visits of the parents with food. If alarmed, they will scuttle backwards into the burrow, never turning around to dive in head foremost. The bottom of the cavities, in nests containing half grown young, are alive with maggots working in the excrement and cast off parts of the insect food—chiefly small beetles—brought to the young. The two nests referred to above, as found on the 8th of May, were both situated on (or in) the practically level sandy soil of the open savanna. In each, the excavation was in an almost straight line back from the entrance, descending at an angle of about 30° with the hori- zontal. In one case the entrance tunnel was 200 cm. long and the nest cavity 50 cm. from the surface, in the other the entrance tunnel was 135 cm. long and the nest cavity 35 cm. from the surface. GALBULIDAE—THE JACAMARS. Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper records five species only, two of which were met with on the Orinoco proper, the other three being re- corded from Caura River points. An additional species from the upper Orinoco is now recorded. I believe that without exception the members of this family are resident wherever found. Kry To GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF GALBULIDAE. a. General color above green-iridescent. b. Bill wholly black. A Wheels Gnas Oe WENN eoTOE on sooanaccno dds cds Toso adnoooNOnS Galbula ruficauda. c’. Under surface of tail not rufous. d. A broad iridescent green band across the breast.............-. Galbula galbula. di. s\Withoutea ereen) bang across) breasteyes —c)eiiei-e eietdiere t= ialenersy-el Jacamerops aureus. b’. Mandible and base of maxilla yellowish horn color; tip of maxilla DIEVeloG IH aso scot on dod eoddee oD DONG CA We eo se CRE Psilopornis albirostris. a’. General color above biackish or brownish. b. Throat white; tail long and much graduated.................-.-. Urogalba dea. be Dhroat brownish: tallnoteraduated ees ar) ele lee ale let tele ee Brachygalba lugubris. UROGALBA DEA (Linn.). Alcedo dea Linn., Syst. Nat. (1758): p. 116 (Surinam). In the American Museum are two specimens collected by Miller at Boca de Sina, Cunucunuma River, Upper Orinoco. This species has not before been recorded from the Orinoco. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 325 GALBULA GALBULA (Linnaeus). Alcedo galbula L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. p. 182. Galbula galbula Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 103. Not observed by the writer below the falls of Atures but common there, and beyond, where it replaces G. ruficauda of the middle Orinoco. Eye seal brown; bill black; feet olive buff. GALBULA RUFICAUDA Cuvier. Galbula ruficauda Cuv., Regn. Anim. I. 1817 p. 420; Berlepsch & Hartert, p= 103. The native name of this and the species preceding is Barranquero. Common, found most abundantly near the borders of heavily timbered regions throughout the territory of the middle Orinoco. This species nests in holes in the ground usually in the banks of streams. The excavation ordinarily slants slightly upward and is from 25 to 100 cm. in depth. No nesting material is taken into the burrows. From two to four dull white eggs are laid. Eye dark seal brown; bill black; feet olive yellow, claws black. PSILOPORNIS ALBIROSTRIS Latham. Galbula albirostris Lath., Ind. Orn. I. 1790. p. 245; Berlepsch & Hartert, Pi 104. Not observed on the Orinoco. Recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from La Pricion, La Union and Nicare on the Caura River. BRACHYGALBA LUGUBRIS (Swainson). Galbula lugubris Swains., Anim. in Menag. 1838. p. 320. Brachygalba lugubris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 104. Not seen on the Orinoco. Recorded from Nicare and from ka Pricion on the Caura River. JACAMEROPS AUREUS (P. L. S. Miiller). Alcedo aurea Mill., Syst. Nat. Supplement, 1776. p. 94. Jacamerops aureus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 104. Berlepsch and Hartert record two specimens taken by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River. 326 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. ALCEDINIDAE—THE KINGFISHERS. Five species are included in Berlepsch and Hartert’s paper, all of which were observed on the Orinoco by the writer. These, like the Jacamars, frequent the same general localities throughout the year. The native names Matraquero and Martin Pescador are applied indifferently to any and all kingfishers found in the Orinoco region. KEY TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF ALCEDINIDAE. a. Breast and sides, including flanks, chestnut. b. Middle of belly and crissum white (the smallest of the American Fabatsistlo(as) eigen een ESE a NA eT Ra enact ere Se clad Ai DIS: Chloroceryle aenea aenea. b’. Center of breast and crissum chestnut, nearly uniform with sides. c. Very large, wing more than 14 cm; back slate blue, not iridescent... Megaceryle torquata torquata. c’. Much smaller, wing less then 14 cm; back dark green, iridescent.. Chloroceryleinda. a’. Sides and flanks not chestnut but with a broad chestnut band across the breast in the males. c. Inner webs of tail-feathers spotted with whites 5-022 a aoe Chlorocer yle amazona. c’. Inner webs of tail-feathers white for basal half ormore............ Chloroceryle americana ameri- cana. CHLOROCERYLE INDA (Linnaeus). Alcedo nda L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. p. 179. Ceryle nda Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 104. Observed at various points on the Orinoco above the mouth of the Apure River. It is recorded from points 6n the Caura River by Berlepsch and Hartert. : CHLOROCERYLE AENEA AENEA Pallas. Alcedo (aenea) Pallas, in Vroeg’s Cat. Ois., Adumbr., 1764, 1, no. 54 (Surinam). Ceryle superciliosa Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 104. Common all along the river; also recorded from points on the Caura River. Eye seal brown; bill blackish; feet dusky. MEGACERYLE TORQUATA TORQUATA (Linnaeus). Alcedo torquata L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. p. 180. Ceryle torquata Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 435 (Rio Apure); Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 104. Not observed at Bolivar. Common at Caicara and farther up the river, as far as the first falls, at least. ‘Eye dark seal brown; bill bla¢k, slate color at base of mandible and at basal angle of maxilla; feet dusky plumbeous olive. a CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 327 In the neighborhood of Caicara there were several barrancas (ravines) whose steep sides afforded nesting places for these king- fishers. At such points they were found most frequently associating in little colonies of four or five pairs. But at a point on the main river (the Orinoco) some eight miles above Caicara, there is a high sand bank facing the river. At this point there is a colony of about one hundred and fifty pairs of these birds. The nest cavity is from one to three metres back from the face of the bluff; the tunnel runs horizontally straight back and is from 8 to 12 cm. in diameter. The breeding season lasts from June to August. CHLOROCERYLE AMAZONA (Latham). Alcedo amazona Lath., Ind. Orn. I. 1790. p. 257. Ceryle americana Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 105. Eye dark seal brown; bill and feet black. Not uncommon. Noted at all points visited on the Orinoco and recorded from the Caura. CHLOROCERYLE AMERICANA AMERICANA (Gmelin). Alcedo americana Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 451. Ceryle americana Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 105. Eye dark seal brown; bill black; feet dusky blackish. Common at all points visited. MOMOTIDAE—THE MOTMOTS. There are only two species known to me from our region. Both were collected on the upper Orinoco beyond the second falls, and were not observed below that point. Momotus Momora (Linnaeus). Ramphastos momota, L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. p. 152. Momotus momota Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 105. Eye vermilion; bill black, smoke grey at base of ble: feet dark smoke grey. Rare. One specimen taken on the upper river at Nericagua. _ Probably not uncommon on the Caura River, as it was collected by both André and Klages, and recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert from Suapure, Nicare and La Pricion. 328 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Momovrus 1cNosiiis (Berlepsch). Momotus brasiliensis ignobilis Berl., Journ. f. Orn. 1889. p. 306. Momotus ignobilis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 106. Rare. An immature male was shot at Mataban above the falls of Maipures. Eye vermilion; bill black, smoke grey at base of mandible; feet dark smoke grey. TROGONIDAE—THE TROGONS. The Trogons are but poorly represented in the Orinoco region, two species only having been observed. TROGON VIOLACEUS VIOLACEUS Gmelin. Trogon violaceus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 404; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 106. A single specimen identified by Berlepsch and Hartert (/. c.) was collected at Munduapo February 23, 1899. Eye seal brown; bill above blackish, mandible and cutting edges of maxilla slate grey; feet slate color. TROGON STRIGILATUS STRIGILATUS Linnaeus. Trogon strigilatus L. Syst. Nat. ed. 12. 1766. pa 167. Trogon viridis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 106. This species is not uncommon on the upper Orinoco from the fails of Atures onward, and is met with, although rarely, on the middle stretches of the river down as far, at least, as the mouth of the Caura River. In fresh specimens the eye is seal brown, eye-lids blue-grey; bill whitish horn color; feet slate grey. PSITTACIDAE—THE MACAWS, PARROTS, PARAQUETS,; ETC: The Berlepsch and Hartert paper listed seventeen species, twelve of which number were observed and collected on the Orinoco proper by the writer. The remaining five were recorded from points on the Caura River, where André and Klages both made collections. Three additional species are included in the present paper. CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 329 Key TO THE GENERA, SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OF PSITTACIDAE. a. Forehead and more or less of the sides of facenaked................. Gypopsitla vulturina. a’. Forehead feathered. b. Lores and region about eye almost entirely naked (feathers if present arranged in narrow lines). ; c. Cheeks (at base of mandible) naked. d. Lines of feathers extending from the lores below the eyes across the face. e. Bill black. Fuceneral colororundenparts neem). cite we sis cue eiel= ls Sel Ara severa. if, General color of undegiparts yellow). .50-. <0 06s ase ms Ara ararauna. e’. Maxilla white (except black triangle at base of cutting edge) ; generalicolorot body Lede asnsees Gis sauets eel erelnis leis ee i-ielane Ara chloroptera. d’. Without lines of feathers extending across the face........... Ara macao. Cee heekstieatheredise ste epee taicnc sponsings CLereasietauie eis aes. i9 sere Diopsittaca hahnt. b’. Loral region at least partly feathered. c. Taillong and much graduated (the central pair of rectrices always longest). d. Breast with transverse bars or scale-like appearance. e. Primary coverts red with yellowish tips................... Pyrrhura melanura. e’. Primary coverts blue like the primaries................... Pyrrhura picta picta. d’. Breast without transverse bars or scale-like appearance. e. Inner webs of tail feathers (except intermediae) reddish, and MING ems PautSwiHltOLM PUCCM er yee pele eciciehsieie sis soere s.0 ce diels occ ole Aratinga haemorrhoa. e’. Inner webs of tail feathers not reddish. f. Under parts not uniform. Lower breast and belly washed WILD OLAn Sem OGUTACCOTISemmentn lida isiarturirn-yurercicteiaty «tape stele Aratinga chrysophrys. f'. Under parts uniform green (no orange wash)...........-. Aratingaleucophthalmus. c’. Tail not long and much graduated. d. Tips of tail-feathers sharply tapering, not rounded. e. Nostrils opening in the middle of a naked cere, bill slightly compressed at base. eeritnia tyzCOVELES OLA EG COe i rar yet micheal) clei sieliol ea) + etne eels Brotogeris chrysopterus. f’. Primary coverts blue or bluish edged with green. Pr eadublac kes seetcepicua dete Cnc mine ns eietetes eueb shah etic ce tecelsasrattees Eucinetus caica. pa Head ereen (paler*than back)... <1 32 te ere cele ies Brotogeris devillet. ec’. Nostrils opening at the base of the cere and bill slightly ex- panded (not compressed) at base. : f. Axillaries and under wing coverts green, not blue or purple. g. Inner webs of quills underneath greenish; feet pale LOWS ee eee cist tere cceeeciee orewat as hiecings sae iia sicher © Psittacula guianensis viri- dissima. g’. Inner webs of quills underneath with tinge of bluish green; HEEL IRy OnwU No aon age socks OANgE one DOStuOUne @ Psittacula modesta modesta. jf’. Axillaries and under wing coverts ot all green. 3 Rita NG So Nn ng acm ek ome. 6 bce o on Geb OS om scanned o'Psittacula modesta modesta. g’. Rump bright green (brighter than back) ............... Sarg guianensis virt- : issima. d’. Tips of tail-feathers rounded. e. General color of under-parts from throat to crissum green. f. Wing with a red or orange red speculum. g. Noredcolor onthe tail, no yellow onthehead........... Amazona inornata. g’. Tail partly red or orange, especially at base. h. Head partly blue, pileum tinged with blue and lores Beets. ater tas earn ccs Pence Peo eenurnse ah ckaleus estan se tadeae olste Amazona amazonica. h’. Head without any blue, crown yellow, lores whitish.... Amazona ochrocephala. f'. Without red or orange red speculum; forehead red, lower HackvanGenumMp Ledicenenis cece note iets « syne stan cleeralel sas Amazona bodini. e’. General color of under-parts including throat not green. jf. Throat blue or yellow. 2 e.Entire head) throat and breast bluey. 2-6. «
  • Native name Chicuaco. Not common, or at least rarely seen. I noted it at Bolivar, and at other points on the river as far up as the falls of Atures. Colors taken from a freshly killed adult female were: eye lemon yellow, bare skin about eye sulphur yellow; bill black above, pale dusky greenish below; lores black; feet olive green. Two nests were. found in the tree tops on a submerged island in the Orinoco near Caicara July 18, 1907. One contained two, the other three eggs. In the two eggs incubation was far advanced; in the set of three it had just begun. The nests were each slight platforms of dry sticks. The nest containing the three eggs was only about 15 cm. above the water, and, as the river was rising rapidly, would have been under water before the next morning! The other nest was about one metre above the water. The eggs are ovate approaching elliptical in form, and pale green- ish greyish Nile blue in color. The set of three measure 28 x 38; 28.25 x 38 and 28.25 x 37 mm. 366 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. TICRISOMA LINEATUM (Boddaert). Ardea lineata Bodd., Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783. p. 52. ~ Tigrisoma brasiliense Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 439 (Rio Apure). Tigrisoma lineatum Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 126. Native name Pajaro Baca. Common, frequenting the thickly wooded banks of small streams flowing into the Orinoco. In life adults have the iris bicolored, the inner part being chrome yellow which blends rather abruptly into a walnut brown on the outer half; bill clove brown along the ridge of the culmen, merging into a mummy brown along the sides, bare skin on chin, throat and around eye sulphur yellow; bare skin at base of mandible citron yellow; gonys horny sttaw yellow; feet olive in front and olive green on the posterior half. ZEBRILUS PUMILUS (Boddaert). Ardea pumila Boddaert, Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783: p. 54. Rare. Not taken or seen on my first expedition to the Orinoco. The fresh colors of an adult male taken at Agua Salada de Ciudad Boli- var, April 11, 1905, were: Eye straw yellow; bill dusky above, pale yellowish horn color below; feet anteriorly olive greenish, brighter lemon yellowish posteriorly. A single specimen was seen in the thickets form- ing the breeding ground of the Hoatzin at Caicarita, Caicara, July 18, 1907. PALAMEDEIDAE—THE SCREAMERS. Only one of the species of Screamers has been noted on the Orinoco. PALAMEDEA CORNUTA Linnaeus. Palamedea cornuta Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII: 1766: p. 232 (Brazil, Guiana). Anhima cornuta Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil., 1913: p. 194 (Manimo Rivas I found the Horned Screamer abundant at Las Barancas, and Stone reported it very common on the Manimo River. PHALACROCORACIDAE—ANHINGAS, CORMORANTS, ETC. ANHINGA ANHINGA (Linnaeus). Plotus anhinga L,., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 218; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 127. ! — CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 367 Native name Cotia and Agujita; also sometimes applied to the Cormorant, P. vigua. Common on the lower and middle stretches of the river but not observed above the falls. PHALACROCORAX VIGUA (Vieillot). Hydrocorax vigua Vieill., Nouv. Dict. VIII. 1817. p. go. Phalacrocorax vigua Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 127 Native names Cotua, Cotua Zamura, Cotua Nigro. Abundant all along the river, at least as far as the falls of Atures. RALEIDAE THE RAIS. PORZANA ALBICOLLIS (Vieillot). Rallus albicollis Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XXVIII. 1819. p. 561. Porzana albicollis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 127. Rare. A single specimen was taken in the marsh bordering the brook at Quiribana de Caicara in April, 1808. Colors taken from the freshly killed bird were: eye bright vandyke brown; upper half of maxilla olive, green, lower half of maxilla and entire mandible apple green; feet dusky brown. ARAMIDES CAJANEA (Miiller). Fulica cajanea Mill., Syst. Nat. Supplement, 1776. p. 1109. Aramides cayennensis Berlepsch, Ibis. 1884. p. 440 (Angostura). Aramides cajanea Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 128. This species was abundant in the thick tangles of vines and bushes bordering small streams and ponds, and was noted at all points visited along the Orinoco. In the early morning their loud strange call notes could be heard on every side. They are extremely wary and the gun- ner must be alert if he catches one as it darts across some narrow path before him. The meat is delicious. In an adult female the eye was ochraceous rufous, eyelids scarlet; bill apple green; feet burnt carmine. ARAMIDAE—THE LIMPKINS OR COURLANS. ARAMUS SCOLOPACEUS (Gmelin). Ardea ee: Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 647. 308 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Aramus scolopaceus Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 440. (Angostura). Ber- lepsch & Hartert, p. 128. Native name Carrao. Not common and only observed at Altagracia and Caicara, where it seemed to keep to the thickly wooded borders of the ponds adjacent to. the main river. EURYPYGIDAE—THE SUN BITTERNS. EURYPYGA HELIAS (Pallas). Ardea helias Pall., Neue Nord, Beytr. II. 1781. p. 48, Pl. 3. Eurypyga helias Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 440 (Angostura) ; psu & *Hartect, qo. 20: Native name Tigana. Not uncommon along the thickly wooded banks of ponds and streams where it keeps on or near the ground. ‘The Tigana is often seen in a semi-domesticated state in the native houses where they are esteemed for the number of spiders and insects they destroy. PSOPHIIDAE—THE TRUMPETERS. PSoPHIA CREPITANS Linnaeus. Psophia crepitans L., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. I: 1758. p. 154 poneneeae & Hastert, p- 128; Abundant in the delta region. Noted repeatedly at Las Barran- cas, and Beebe secured specimens at Guanoco. Berlepsch and Hartert record specimens collected by Klages at Suapure on the Caura River. OEDICNEMIDAE—THE STONE PLOVERS: OR) (oie KNEES. OEDICNEMUS BISTRIATUS (Wagler). Charadrius bistriatus Wagl., Isis, 1829. p. 648. Oedicnemus bistriatus Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 44 (Angostura); Ber- lepsch & Hartert, p. 128. Native name Alcaravan Negro. Not uncommon. Found on the. open savannas only. Usually seen in pairs. Eye lemon yellow; bill black, yellowish olive buff at base ae man- \ dible; feet olive yellow. \ | CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 309 CICONIIDAE—JABIRU; STORKS; WOOD IBIS. EUXENURA MAGUARI (Gmelin).. Ardea maguarit Gmel., Syst. Nat., I, 1789, p. 623 (Brazil). Although no specimens were collected this species was seen sufficiently near to make identification certain. It was noted at Las Bar- rancas, Altagracia, San Mateo de Caicara and at Las Guacas and La Cascabel on the San Feliz River. JABIRU MyCcTeRIA (Lichtenstein). Ciconia mycteria Licht., Abh. K. Akad. Wiss. Berlin (Phys. KI1.), for 1816-17, 1819, 163 (Brazil). Native name Garzon Soldado. Widely distributed throughout the Orinoco Region from the delta up as far, at least, as, the mouth of the Meta River. Speci- mens were collected at Las Guacas and La Cascabel on the San Feliz River (near its union with the Cuchivero River), and it was observed at Las Barrancas, Altagracia, San Mateo de Caicara, Quiri- bana de Caicara and near the mouth of the Meta River. MYCTERIA AMERICANA Linnaeus. Mycteria americana Linn., Syst. Nat., ed. 10, I, 1758, 140. Tantalus loculator Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 437 (Angostura). Noted all along the Orinoco up as far as the falls of Atures. JACANIDAE—THE JACANAS. JACANA JACANA Linnaeus. Parra jacana L., Syst. Nat..ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 259, part; Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 440 (Angostura) ; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 129. Native name Gallineto de Laguna. - Common. Frequents the banks of ponds and streams and open marshes. : Adult female: eyes slate grey; bill ochre yellow; shield maroon purple; feet dusky olive grey. CHARADRIIDAE—PLOVERS, SANDPIPERS, ETC. Eight species were collected on my first expedition and recorded by Berlepsch and Hartert. ‘Twelve are included in the pregént list, and there is little doubt that at least as many more will be Aiscovered when the delta region will have been carefully worked over. 370 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. HopLoxyPrERUS CAyANus (Latham). Charadrius cayanus Lath., Ind. Orn. II. 1790. p. 749. Hoploxypterus cayanus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 120. Native name Alcaravancito. Common along the shores of streams and ponds. ‘This species does not associate in flocks and rarely more than two or three are seen together. It was noted at all points visited. Eye seal brown, eye-lids scarlet; bill black; feet scarlet. BELONOPTERUS CAYENNENSIS (Gmelin). Parra cayennensis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 706. Vanellus cayennensis Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. p. 441 (Angostura). Belonopterus cayennensis Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 120. Native name Alcaravana de corbata; Alcaravan. Common on the open savannas. Usually seen in pairs. On the middle Orinoco the nesting season begins in April. This lapwing is thoroughly detested by the native deer hunters from the habit it has of following, often for long distances, any one it may see walking about among the little clumps of trees and bushes that here and there dot the savannas, and screaming its displeasure. The deer seem to understand that cry and are instantly on the alert. Eye red lake, eye-lids and chin lilac; bill black at tip, lilac at base; feet Indian purple. -AEGIALITIS SEMIPALMATA (Bonaparte). Charadrius semipalmatus Bonap., Journ. Acad. N. S. Phila., V, 1825, p. 98 (Coast of New Jersey). Found in the delta region from October to April. ANGIALITIS COLLARIS (Vieillot). Charadrius collaris Vieill., Nouv. Dict. X“WII. 1818. p. 136. Aegialitis collaris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 129. A not uncommon resident species usually. Solitary or seen in pairs On the sand beaches along the river during the dry season ani on the open savannas during the wet season. Eye seal brown; bill black; feet flesh color. { OE CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. SHit HIMANTOPUS MEXICANUS (Muller). , Charadrius mexicanus Mill., Syst. Nat. Suppl., 1776, p. 117 (Mexico). Abundant about the great marshes near Las Guacos on the San Feliz River (T'errenos dell Tigre) during May, 1907. NUMENIUSs HuDsoNiIcus Latham. Numenius hudsonicus Lath., Index Orn. II, 1790, p. 712 (Hudson Bay). This species was noted at Altagracia in November, 1897, but no specimens were secured. HELODROMAS SOLITARIUS (Wilson). ° Tringa solitaria Wils., Am. Orn. VII. 1813. p. 58, Pl. 58, fig. 3. Helodromas solitarius Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 129. Occasionally met with from early in August until the first oi February. Observed at Las Barrancas, Agua Salada de Ciudad Boli- var, Ciudad Bolivar, Altagracia, Caicara. Berlepsch and Hartert record a specimen also from Suapure on the Caura River. TOTANUS FLAVIPES (Gmelin). Scolopax flavipes Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 659. Totanus flavipes Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 130. Small flocks were seen about Altagracia from the last of Decem- ber until February. TOTANUS MELANOLEUCUS (Gmelin). Scolopax melanoleucus Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 659. Totanus melanoleucus Berlepsch, Ibis, 1884. Rp. 441 (Angostura) ; Ber- lepsch & Hartert, p. 130. Small flocks of Greater Yellow-legs were seen at Altagracia sev- eral times during the month of November, 1897. _ AcTITIS MACULARIA (Linnaeus). Tringa macularia L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 240. Tringoides macularia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 130. The Spotted Sandpiper is to be seen along the Orinoco from early in September until the first of April. Berlepsch and Hartert record it also from the Caura River. 372 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. PISOBIA FUSCICOLLIS (Vieillot). Tringa fuscicollis Vieill., Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XXXIV, 1819, p. 461 (Paraguay). Common at Las Guacos, San Feliz River during May. 1907. GALLINAGO PARAGUAIAE ( Vieillot). Scolopax paraguaiae Vieill., Nouv. Dict. III. 1816. p. 356. Gallinago paraguaiae Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 130. Native name Cogelas todas. Not uncommon along the marshy borders of small streams that cross the savannas, and widely dis- tributed over the savannas themselves during the rainy season. The species was noted at all points visited along the river. GALLINAGO BRASILIENSIS (Swainson). Scolopax Brasiliensis Swainson, Faun. Boreal. Am. 1831: p. 400° (Brazil). Gallinago brasiliensis Stone, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1913: p. 192. (Orinoco delta, Caio Corosal). Stone records specimens from Cafio Corosal (Orinoco delta country ). ANATIDAE—DUCKS, GEESE, ETC. CAIRINA MOSCHATA (L.). Anas moschata \,., Syst. Nat. ed. 10. 1758. p. 124. Cairina moschata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 131. Native names Pato real; Pato negro. Common. Eye seal brown; bill black; bare skin about face black, the caruncles at base of bill and about face black at their base, pale scarlet at their free ends; feet black. The Pato real when not feeding spends much of its time in the large trees bordering streams. During the rainy season it feeds almost entirely on the open savannas but as the dry season advances it is driven more to the wooded banks of ponds and streams. It is exceedingly wary and the native hunter considers himself fortunate to bag a pato negro. ‘They may be often seen completely domesticated and breeding about the native houses. Five ducklings, an entire brood, three or four days old, were taken at Las Barrancas, San Feliz River, May 30, 1907. CHERRIE : ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 373 DENDROCYGNA DIscoLor Sclater & Salvin. Dendrocygna discolor Scl. & Salv., Nomencl. Av. Neotr. 1873. pp. 129, 161; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 131. Native name Giiiriri. Abundant. This and the following species, Alopochen jubatus, are the most common ducks found on the Orinoco. ALOPOCHEN JUBATUS (Spix). Anser jubatus Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1825. p. 84. Pl. 108. Alopochen jubatus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 131. © Native name Carretero. Abundant along the banks of the Orinoco and its tributaries. Eye seal brown; bill black reddish at angle of commisure; feet vermilion. This is the most abundant species of “Duck” in the Orinoco region. Like the Pato real, it is frequently seen in a state of semi-domestication about the native houses, but I do not know of its breeding. The males at the beginning of the mating season—December and January—fight some terrific battles, and where a large flock is assem- bled, in some marshy spot near the river, the noise of battle may be heard for a long distance. The blows of the wings against one another and the constant loud guttural “honking” of the contending birds make a deafening racket. ‘The females feed quietly, apparently not taking much interest in the fray. This species like the Tree Duck (D. discolor) nests in hollow trees. NETTION BRASILIENSE (Gmelin). Anas brasiliensis Gm., Syst. Nat. I. 1788. p. 517. Nettion brasiliense Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 131. Native name Pato Azulijo. Not common at points visited on the Orinoco proper, but abundant about the marshes in the vicinity of Las Guacas, San Feliz River, during ‘May, 1907. On the: Orinoco this species was noted at Bolivar, Altagracia, Cai- cara and Quiribana de Caicara. LARIDAE—GULLS, TERNS, ETC. PHAETHUSA CHLOROPODA ( Vieillot). Sterna chloropoda Vieillot, N. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. XXXII: 1818: 171 (Paraguay). 374 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. Phaethusa magmirostris Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 132. Native name Guanaguanare. Eye seal brown; bill canary yellow, lightest at the base; feet sul- phur yellow. One of the most abundant and characteristic of birds along the Orinoco. It is likely to be the first species one will see on entering the mouth of the great river, and as he proceeds towards the head-waters it will follow him, and even when he crosses through the Cassiquiare and down the Rio Negro to the Amazon. The nesting season begins in December and lasts until February. STERNA SUPERCILARIS Vieillot. Sterna superciliaris Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XXXII. 1819. p. 126; Berlepsch Gy Elarterts p32: Native name Tenten. Not abundant but observed everywhere both on the lower and upper stretches of the river. Fresh birds have the eye seal brown; bill dark Naples yellow; feet dusky sulphur yellow. RyNCHOPS NIGRA CINERASCENS (Spix). Rhynchops cinerascens Spix; Av. Bras. II. 1825. p. 80, Pl. 102. Rhynchops nigra cinerascens Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 132. Native name Gaviota. Common all along the middle and lower stretches of the river. LARUS ATRICILLA (Linnaeus). Larus atricilla Linn., Syst. Nat. I, 1758, p. 136 (Bahamas). Often seen in company with the Large-billed Tern (Phaethusa chloropoda) about the mouths of the Orinoco and common at almost all points along the shore of the Bay of Paria. 4 o } 4 ' 4 i ve ae % ‘ be) iy ote. et er : Boks ne it ‘ CAN Tol Pe | . , ¥ he 7 ‘ a ae i Ay ee Ai), ee A ’ Dhue’ f ey) “we ¥ ah we ia en's , ie Ny ag vay ita) staal is al Ree cmtirenc? aht, coe A ‘ ta { Y Pi: fy - / Vol. I, Couuise of 17 numbers by ten authors, which relate to snatriniatsy birds, insects, marine invertebrates, problems of zoological evolution, and notes on volcanic phenomena. : . VoLUME 2 Vol. 2, No. 1, Long Island Fauna and Flora—I. The Bats (Order Chiroptera)! By Ropert CusHMAN MurRPHyY AND JoHN TREADWELL NICHOLS. June 21, 1913......-. $0.15 No. 2, Long Island Fauna and Flora.—Il. A Long Island - Acmea and a New Variety of Urosalpinx cinerea. ae By Sitas C, WHEAT.» July 16, 1913: ws. se eee es -10 ~ No. 3, Long Island Fauna and Flora. Tit) The Frogs and Toads (Order Salientia). By FRANK OVERTON, AM: FES INOVEUS LOTA Rie as py aw eae ole eae 25 No. 4, A Report on the South Goireiv Expedition. By . Ropert CusHMAN Murpuy,: Nov. 5, 1914.:..-. 125 No. 5; The Penguins of South Georgia. By Ropert CusHMAN. MurpuHy.. Atig. 2, 1915... .. 025.0800 .50 No. 6, A contribution to the Ornithology of the Orinoco Region. By GEORGE K. CuHERRIE: Sept.-1, 1916... 1:75 CATALOGUES and GUIDES Gicaonae of the Collection of Pictures illustrating the Life of Christ . by JAMES J. TISSOT., IQ0I-'02 0.6... 2s eet ee eee ete eee: 10 - Catalogue of Paintings. 1906, 1910, each ~.. 24-6... ee eee eens 10 §; Catalogue of Ancient Chinese’ Porcelains oaned by Henry T. 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COLD SPRING HARBOR MONOGRAPHS, The Museum also distributes the Monographs of the Marine Biological % : Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, of which seven numbers 2 ee been published to. date. eee OPES COLLECTIONS. Orders for purchase and correspondence regarding exchanges. Brooklyn, NY pec es. : * ' Vol. 1, No. 1, Renaissance iescnine Facade at Genoa, ‘By rile BROORLYW INGHIPUTE- OF ARTS aka SCIENCES | PUBLICA TIONS OF THE MUSEUMS: sr ANNUAL REPORTS é Uae upon the Condition and Progress of the speciale 1904 to MUSEUM NEWS AND QUARTERLY — ater - Children’s Museum Bulletin. October 1902-March 1904. Out of Children’s Museum News. April 1904-March 1905. Out of [New series] October 1913 to date; monthly, October to The Museum News, issued monthly, October to May. Volumes’ of ane 2, 1905-1907. Out of Print. Volumes 3-8, 1907-1913. Superseded the Brooklyn Museum Quarterly and Children’s Museum News: 4 series]. i: The sacar Museum een To914 to date. 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