1922.] TRINIDAD BIRDS. 137 



Nests of this species have been found on the following occasions. 



(1) Maracas river, January 2, 1921, not quite completed, on end 

 of fern about a yard from edge of river and about two feet above 

 water level. January 4 nest almost complete. January 6 one egg 

 laid. On January 8 the bird was shot for identification and the nest, 

 which had now two eggs, was photographed (PI. II, fig. 1). 



(2) Maracas river, January 2, 1921, nest just completed on end 

 of leaf of aroid (Spathiphyllum) overhanging the water and about 

 ten inches above water level (PI. I, fig. 2, shows bird asleep on nest 

 with eggs). On January 4 there was one egg. On January 5 there 

 were two eggs. January 18, still eggs. 



(3) Maracas river, January 7, 1921 , nest on end of Spathiphyllum 

 leaf overhanging water about 6 inches above surface (PI. I, fig. 1) 

 January 9, one egg. January 11, two eggs. January 18, still eggs, 

 January 29, two very small young with down just showing. This 

 gives an incubation penod of about 18 days. 



(4) Maracas river, January 7, 1921 , nest on end of Spathiphyllum 

 leaf overhanging water with two eggs. 



No other fresh nests were found up to the middle of February 

 1921, so it would appear as if nesting started rather suddenly about 

 the middle of December. This is towards the end of the vv'et season, 

 and after all chances of the river flooding, which frequently occurs in 

 September and October. Owing to the position of these nests, 

 usually within a foot of the water level, they would be destroyed if 

 built during the flood season. 



One bird shot in Maracas Valley on January 9, 1921, contained 

 in its stomach a spider. 



51. Glaucis hirsutus. Balisier or Hairy-Hermit. 

 Polytmus hirsutus. Leotaud No. 70. 



This is a large dull species easily recognised by its long strongly 

 curved bill, the absence of metallic colouring, and its habit of 

 frequenting flowers of Heliconia Bihai locally known as Balisier, 

 from which it gets its popular name. 



In the male the upper surface is dull bronze green, lower surface 

 dull rufous, paler in the middle, throat dusky, wings brown, central 

 tail feathers and tail coverts bronze green, outer tail feathers brown, 

 entire tail tipped with white. 



Bill long and curved. 



The female is slightly more bronzy on the back and entirely 

 rufous beneath. 



It is comparatively common in the Maracas Valley and nests 

 apparently during the dry season from about the end of February to 

 the early part of the wet season in June, 



