6d4 BIBDS FROM MARGARITA— EOBINSON 



with us at certain seasons, but I met with success only once, and then 

 in a deeply shaded spot along the bed of the stream from El Valle 

 when at the first note one of these little owls dashed up, evidently 

 expecting to find something upon which to prey. I believe that these 

 owls hunt by day, as the sun caused them no apparent discomfort I 

 found the three others that I obtained by being attracted by the scold- 

 ing notes of mocking birds. They are subject to dichromatism, as three 

 were in the red plumage and one in the gray. The bfuring of the tail 

 of the gray one was quite different from that of the others. These owls 

 have a pair of marks at the back of the neck which in life and at a 

 little distance look like a i)air of half closed eyes, so that at first I was 

 not certain whether they were looking toward me or from me. These 

 marks are almost entirely hidden in a made-up skin. 



Family PSITTACID.E. 



36. CONURUS ^RUGINOSUS (Linnsus). 



RUSTY PARRAKEET. 



Native name "perico." 



Abundant, being found. in large flocks in the flat coast region and in 

 the cultivated hills around El A^alle. I was told that tliey could be 

 taught to talk. Those that I obtained were in rather worn plumage. 



[Not difl:erent from mainland birds.— C. W. R.l 



37. AMAZONA AMAZONICA (Linn^us). 



AMAZONIAN PARROT. 



Native names "loro" and "cotorra.'' 



I saw many large flocks in the heavy forests in rear of El Valle 

 Thei-e IS in these forests a parasite which, starting from an insignificant 

 seed dropped upon a branch by some bird, lets down fine cord-like 

 roots, which, descending for 50 or GO feet, reach the earth, and obtain- 

 ing a foothold there rapidly increase until the parent tree is choked and 

 destroyed, and the parasite alone remains, one of the loftiest trees in 

 the forest. Its leaves are large, pear-shaped, and glossy like those of 

 our magnolia, its blossoms white, and wide open like a wild rose- the 

 iruit, smooth and the size of a peach, opens like a chestnut burr, but iu 

 eiglit segments, disclosing in the interior a fleshy pvramid with longi- 

 tudinal slits filled with rice-like seed, red and pulpy. It is called bv the 

 natives " copey," and is probably ClusUi rosea. 



From its peculiar manner of propagation, it is evident that the seeds 

 must be attractive to birds, and so I found them. For several morn- 

 ing^ I took my stand before daybreak under a verv large one near El 

 V ale, and at the first sign of dawn the tree top burst into life, and posi- 

 lively swarmed with birds. Three flycatchers, three tanagers, a grackle 

 two orioles, and a vireo took part in the feast ; the beautiful azure-crowned 

 honey creeper came literally by hundreds and poised, like a humming 



