1922.] TRINIDAD BIRDS. J3F 



18. Rhamphocelus jacapa Lafr. The Silver Beak. 



Leotaud No. 155. 



This bird is not uncommon particularly in the less open districts. 

 In the sugar cultivation I have only seen it when close to the edge 

 of wooded land. I have noted its occurrence at Maracas, Harmony- 

 Hall and Palo Seco. 



Two nests were found at the former locality. 



(1) O 1 August 4, 1920 in a croton bush, about four feet from 

 the ground, containing two fully fledged young. The nest was 

 cup-shaped and lined with strips of dead banana leaves. 



(2) On August 22, 1920, in another croton bush about three feet 

 from the ground and containing one egg. 



The egg is elongate ovate, light blue, spotted and wreathed black 

 atthe base. 



Although known as the " silver beak " this bird gets its name 

 from a white area at the base of the lower mandible ; the beak proper 

 is dark. 



19. Tachyphonus rufus Bodd. The Parson. 



T. beauperthuyi. Leotaud No. 162. 



Generally common in the open districts. The black male and 

 chestnut female make a conspicuous pair often thought to be different 

 species. They are often very tame and on Gasparee and the other 

 Islands frequently enter the houses in search of sugar and other tit-bits. 



Nests have been found on three occasions. 



(1) On June 26, 1919 in the angle at the base of a banana leaf at 

 Tarouba. The nest was a mediumly deep cup made of strips or 

 dead banana leaf with an inner lining of black fibres resembling horse 

 hairs. It contained two eggs both on the verge of hatching. 



(2) On July 9, 1919 near Princes Town in the fork of a branch of 

 a mahogany tree about twelve feet from the ground. It was made as 

 before of strips of banana leaves lined with wound black fibres, and 

 contained two young well feathered. 



(3) On August 11, 1919 at Tarouba in an angle of a banana leaf 

 in every way similar to the first. The nest was of dried banana 

 leaves lined with smaller leaves. It was empty but I was told that 

 it ha J contained eggs about a month previously. 



The eggs are pale reddish brown with irregular darker red brown 

 markings. 



The stomach of a male shot at La Fortunee on August 13, 1918,. 

 in an abandoned cane field contained two dozen small black seeds, 

 some pulp and skin of a reddish-yellow fruit and legs of a beetle. 

 According to Leotaud it eats berries, fruits and "eggs and nymphs 

 of ants." 



