PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 401 



]S"o. 234. S ad. April 24. 

 1^0. 230. $ ad. April 24. 

 :N^o. 301. S ad. May 1. 



48. Galbula melanogenia Scl. 



Only oue specimen of this beantiful bird secured. It was sliot in the 

 thick forest while flitting through the undergrowth. Iris brown. 

 No. 246. $ ad. April 25. 



49. Bucco dysoni Scl. 



One specimen secured in open forest. 

 ^o. 200. 9 ad. April 20. 



50. Crotophaga sulcirostris Swaius. 



One of the most abundant and familiar birds in Costa Rica. Found 

 everywhere and in great numbers. Habits remarkablj^ similar to those 

 of our common Cowbird {Molothrus ater). They are usually in flocks in 

 the open fields. ISTative name '■^ Zopilotilla^^ or '^ Little Buzzard.^^ They 

 are said to destroy immense numbers of "Garrapatas" or ticks. 



Two specimens from La Pal ma. 



Xo. 209. 5 ad. April 27. 



No. 280. $ ad. April 28. 



51. Piaya cayana m3hleri (Bp.). 



These graceful birds are also common throughout Costa Eica. Like 

 the other true Cuckoos, it is a silent and solitary bird for the most part, 

 although wlien disturbed it utters a loud, harsh note at regular intervals 

 as it looks down upon the intruder and flirts its beautiful tail with angry 

 jerks. Iris red. 



Two specimens. 



No. 109. 9 ad. April 3. 



No. 180. 9 ad. April J 4. 



52. Ccccyzus seniculus (Lath.). 



Eare in the region of La Palma. Only one seen and shot out of a 

 high tree. Iris brown. 



No. 281. $ ad. April 28. 



53. Pteroglossus torqiiatus (Gm.). 



This is the only species of Toucan that I saw on the Pacific coast, 

 although another species was described to me. It seems to prefer the 

 open forest. Its uncouth bill would convey the idea that it is a clumsy 

 bird, but on the contrary it is rather graceful and handles its immense 

 beak with ease. The bill is very light, being cellular in its internal 

 structure. I know from experience that it is capable of giving quite a 

 severe bite, a fact to which a scar on my finger still testifies. I never 

 heard its note although T observed several. Iris yellow, bill yellow, 

 red, and black. 



One specimen. 



No. 157. $ ad. March 31. 



Proc. Nat. Mus. 82 26 Sept. 12, 1882. 



