1922.] TRINIDAD BIRDS. MI 



Family TYRRANID/E. Tyrant Fly-Catchers. 



34. Fluvicola pica Bodd. The Washer-woman. 



LeotaudNo. 108. 



This pretty little black and white bird is generally common, 

 particularly in the more open parts of the country devoted to sugar 

 growing, and is frequently seen settling on the telegraph wires along 

 the main roads. 



Fig. 1. — The Washer-woman (Fluvicola pica). 

 About half natural size. 



It makes a small covered nest with the opening near the top at 

 •one side on bushes, trees and even telegraph posts. The nest is 

 made of grass stalks and cotton fluff and usually lined with feathers. 

 Nests have been found on the following occasions. 



(1) On October 26, 1917 at Harmony Hall about twenty feet 

 from the ground in a large tree. 



(2) On June 18, 1918 at Craignish in a Castilloa tree about 

 twenty feet from the ground. 



(3) On July 4, 1918 at La Fortunee Sugar Estate at the end of a 

 long branch of a fiddlewood tree overhanging a pond. It contained 

 three eggs. 



(4) On July 11, 1918 at La Fortunee, a nest just commencing in 

 a bush over a small stream about three feet from the ground. Both 

 sexes were bringing nesting materials. 



