378 ANNUAL EEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 3 



the tree and is herself pursued by the other Ler/atus." On March 

 12 and 15 similar incidents were noticed, and from the record of 

 March 22 I quote : 



While Lcgatus was perched at the entrance to a ZarhyncJius nest the owner 

 popped out and pursued her persistently, following her at least 10 times 

 around through the tree and on two wide circles over the forest. Meanwhile 

 the other Lcgatus pui'sued the attacker. 



In 1928 a single Legatus, presumably a male, was heard calling 

 from the nest tree at C.30 on the morning of January 16 (14 days 

 after the nest building began). After calling for about two hours 

 from the upper part of the tree (not near the nests) he disappeared. 

 At 5 p. m. he called again for a few times and departed. Probably 

 the same bird was present on the 17th and 19th. On the latter date 

 my entry reads: 



Only one Lcgatus seen. He sits in the top of the oropeudola tree calling, 

 perhaps for a mate ; but already shows a sense of proprietorship by chasing 

 Cassidix. 



On January 20 a second bird, probably a female, appeared. Threa 

 days later I wrote : 



Legatus is now in full swing in group 1. Both birds attack every Zarhynchus, 

 indiscriminately, males as well as females. The males are not even permitted 

 to court but are driven from their perches by the wasp-like attack of these two 

 relentless little birds, who one after the other dart at them and swing upward 

 to dart again. The females are similarly annoyed both when they enter and 

 leave the nest and also in the air, as they approach it. Often they are prevented 

 from entering and take refuge among nearby leaves to await an opportunity 

 to slip in unnoticed. The life of the whole group is being disorganized by the 

 persistent and constant annoyance of these two irritating flycatchers. They 

 have apparently chosen No. 6 for their especial victim but they by no means 

 restrict their attention to her. 



On January 28 one Legatus was seen sitting at the entrance to 

 nest No. 5, which, although it had been attacked by an owl on the 

 night of January 25, as before described, was still occupied by its 

 owner. On February 1, No. 5 was entered by Cassidix. The bird 

 remained for four seconds, Legatus alone protesting. 



Between February 1 and 7 the record for Legatus is summed up in 

 the entry for the 4th which reads: ''''Legatus continues its endless 

 peedle-dee-deeing but seems to get nowhere." Occasionally it chased 

 a Zarhynchus. On the last-named date I record : 



Legatus now worries the owners of Nos. 1 and 2, group 1, The latter chased 

 one of the flycatchers out of the tree this morning. If they want a nest why do 

 they not take either No. 3 or No. 4 which are deserted but look in good con- 

 dition? This afternoon the Legatus which I believe to be the female entered 

 No. 1 and remained for 18 seconds. 



There were no further developments until February 11. My record 

 for that day is as follows : 



It looks as though the Legatus puzzle had tinally solved itself. At 12.45 I 

 chanced to see Legatus enter No. 5, group 1. On emerging, after four or five 



