20 FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM ORNITHOLOGY, VOL. i. 



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Piaya cayana mehleri of Central America, where the latter bird is 

 known as Pajaro Ardilla (squirrel bird). From my note book, under 

 date of March 29, being the first morning I had met with H. fieldi, I 

 take the following observation: The notes or call is very different 

 from that of any of the cuckoos with which I am familiar, and I can 

 only liken it to the croaking of some hoarse frog. 



In fresh specimens the maxilla and point of the mandible is 

 black; eye dusky; feet, legs and basal part of mandible plumbeous. 



The females seem to average a little larger than the males as 

 indicated by the measurements of the five specimens given here- 

 with: 



All the species of cuckoos found in San Domingo are esteemed a 

 table delicacy by the natives, and for the sick the flesh of the " Bobo " 

 or " Mantero " is a sure cure. 



50. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) The Belted Kingfisher was fre- 

 quently seen along the water courses near the coast. 



51. Todus angustirostris Lafr. PAJARO VERDE. Quite abun- 

 dant, especially at points visited in the interior. 



52. Todus subulatus Gould. PAJARO VERDE This, the 

 larger of the two forms of Todies in San Domingo, is even more 

 abundant than the preceding species, and is more evenly distributed, 

 apparently being equally common both on the coast and in the 

 interior. 



With both species the food appears to consist exclusively of in- 

 sects. The prey is usually, if not always, taken an the wing, after 

 the manner of a true flycatcher. Large insects are held in the bill, 

 and their little captor hammers its victims on the branch chosen for 

 a resting place until the legs are broken off and the hard parts of the 

 body are so broken up as to not interfere with swallowing. 



53. Nesoctites micromegas (Sundev.). CARPINTERO Twenty- 

 five specimens of this little woodpecker were taken, but it is 

 far from being a common species. It was only observed at San 



*Type. 



