1922.] TRINIDAD BIRDS. 135 



26. Oryzoborus crassirostris. Gmel. Twa-Twa or Large Black 



Finch. Leotaud No. 172. 



This is the largest Trinidad finch and I have only seen it on one 

 occasion at Harmony Hall on August 25, 1919. 



On September 30, 1918 an egg stated to be of this species was 

 given to me taken from a nest in a Hibiscus hedge at the Usine 

 Ste. Madeleine. 



The egg is ovate, white, speckled and spotted light brown more 

 -SO at base. 



It is large and distinct from that of the last species, so that the 

 identification is probably correct. 



Family ICTERIDi^. American Orioles. 



27. Ostinops decumanus. Pall. The Yellow Tail. 

 Casicus cristatus. Leotaud No. 146. 



This bird is most remarkable for the long hanging nests which it 

 l)uilds in tall trees, usually a number of nests occupying the same tree. 

 The whole nest may be three to five feet in length, but most of this 

 is a stalk which supports the bulbous nest at the end. The opening 

 of the nest is at one side of the bulb. The nest is made of woven grass 

 and other fibres. 



These birds are not uncommon in the wooded parts of the Island 

 and may be frequently seen flying steadily in numbers between their 

 nesting and feeding grounds, particularly in the evening. 



Their flight is very noisy and they have a remarkable variety or 

 •cries including a sharp cry and a bubbling sound. 



They are omnivorous, eating both fruit and insects and have 

 been reported as doing damage when in numbers. The stomach or 

 one shot in Maracas Valley on January 29, 1921 contained 12 red 

 caterpillars, a few beetles and traces of vegetable matter. 



The nests are visible all the year round, but I have no data or 

 the actual breeding season. 



28. Casicus persicus. Linn. Yellow-rumped Corn Bird. 



Leotaud No. 147. 



This bird is intermediate in size between the yellow tail and the 

 common corn bird. I have only seen it in the Southern portion of 

 the Island at Palo Seco and Penal, in both of which localities there 

 was a colony of the typical hang nests. 



The nest is much shorter than that of the yellow tail, but like 

 it has a sohd stalk and the opening in the bulbous nest-proper at 

 the end 



