NESTING HABITS OF OROPENDOLA — CHAPMAN 377 



and Zarhynchus had not appeared. On February 20 at 7.35 a. m. 

 Legatus entered the nest and remained for 25 seconds. Three minutes 

 hder Zarhynchus entered the second nest without protest, but at 

 7.45 when a ZarJiynchus came to Xo. 1 it was driven away by Le- 

 gatns. Thereafter, during the day, Legatus entered nest No. 1 fre- 

 quently and my notes say, " It seems apparent that they now have 

 possession of Xo. 1." Here, as above stated, my observations ended 

 but I left a note asking Dr. J. Van Tyne, who reached the island 

 February L'"^, to continue them. He reports that the activities of 

 Legatus did not, ajiparently, lead to definite results. 



In 1927 Legatus was first noted January 31 (23 days after nest 

 building began). For the first few days the bird perched in the 

 top of the tree frequently uttering its " pee-ee " note. I was now 

 absent for three days, returning February G when there were two 

 birds j)resent. One of them dove at nests 1 and 3 of group 1, and 

 attacked one of their owners. From that date until the end of my 

 observations on April 1, there were few moments during the day 

 when these birds were not present in the nest tree. Their notes 

 were heard almost constantly and the greater part of their time was 

 devoted to attacks on Zarhynchus and to examining its nests. These 

 attentions were distributed throughout the colony, and were not con- 

 centrated on any one nest or bird. At the end of the period of ob- 

 servation the birds seemed to be no further advanced toward ac- 

 quiring a home than tliey were at the opening of the season. Dr. 

 J. Van Tyne, who reached the island February 24 and remained 

 until August 21, was good enough to keep these birds under observa- 

 tion. His notes in full are given on page 354. They show that 

 Legatus was present until April 2G (when apparently because of 

 heavy rains the oropendolas abandoned the colony) but that it was 

 as "ineffectual as ever." 



Several entries in my journal for 1927 may be quoted : 



February 26. Legatus attacks any bird entering group 1, but seems still to 

 prefer No. 1. Both go to the entrance, drop and partly spread their wings, 

 lower their heads and turn half ry^ht then half left with a queer little bow ; a 

 singular, self-conscious kind of performance. 



March 11. Lvgatun shows no decicasc in energy or interest. It is now chiefly 

 In the west end of group 2, calling and lluttering excitedly at nest entrances. 



March 24. Legatus seems to be more aggressive and active. They attack 

 almost any Zarhynchus and swing from group 1 to group 2 and back. No. 12 

 receives most of their attention but no choice has been made. There are two 

 deserted nests in group 1 but they probably coulaiu eggs. But doubtless those 

 in group 2 do also. 



As a rule Zarhynchus avoids L^egatus, as already described, but 

 when the small bird's attacks exasperate it beyond the limit of en- 

 durance it assumes the aggressive. The record for March 6, 1927, 

 reads: "A female Zarhynchus pursues Legatus around and around 



