138 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XX. 2, 3 & 4. 



The nest is deep cup shaped and is slung between several reeds 

 over the surface of the water, usually where it is about a foot deep. 

 It is made of leaves of reeds wound circularly. 



(1) A nest was found on July 14, 1919 about 18 inches from the 

 surface of the water in rushes round the edge of a pond at Harmony 

 Hall. The rushes were about two feet above the surface and the 

 water was about one foot deep. There were no eggs. A bird was 

 seen carrying nesting material . On July 23 this nest had two eggs. 



(2, 3, 4, 5) On August 12 four nests were found round the edges 

 of a pond at the Usine Ste. Madeleine. None contained eggs and 

 some were dilapidated, so that the breeding season was evidently 

 just over. 



(6, 7) Two more nests were found in the pond at Harmony Hall 

 on September 8, 1919 one containing two eggs ; but these were found 

 to be bad, so that in all probability it was a nest deserted in July. 



The egg is ovate, pale blue, spotted dark brown at base, 

 sometimes scrawled. 



The bird has two very distinct notes — a sharp " tsek and a 

 long drawn out " zzzeee." 



The food consists of both insects and seeds and from the latter 

 habit the bird is sometimes injurious to rice fields. 



Stomach observations have been made as follows. 



(1) Shot at Williamsville on July 13, 1918 contained various 

 beetles including a weevil related to Metamasius some beetle grubs, 

 some moths, one or two small stones and doubtful vegetable matter. 



(2) Shot at La Fortunee sugar estate on September 12, 1918 

 contained remains of about six beetles, three seeds and miscellaneous 

 vegetable matter. 



(3) Shot at Harmony Hall on June 30, 1919 contained about 

 20 froghoppers (including one nymph) a small beetle and some seeds 

 and vegetable matter. 



32. Leistes guianensis. Linn. The Soldier Bird. 

 Leistes amencanus. Leotaud No. 150. 



This bird is also known as the " red-breast " from the colour of 

 the male, but the above name seems better as it introduces no 

 confusion with the English " Red Breast." 



It is not uncommon in open pastures and is one of the few ground 

 nesting and ground feeding birds. In spite of the mongoose it 

 exists in considerable numbers in some localities, chiefly in the 

 Naparimas. At certain times of the year (January and February?) 

 it collects in large flocks of both sexes, at other times it is more 

 solitary. 



