524 BIRDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA PART 3 



Tore (Changuinola, Almirante), Rio Indio, western Colon, and the 

 northern Canal Zone. 



These small birds live in the cover of thickets in pastures, along the 

 borders of fields, and in low growth at the open borders of forested 

 lands. They seem more widely spread and somewhat more common 

 therefore on the drier, more open Pacific slope than in the lusher, 

 denser growth of the Caribbean side where rainfall is heavier. The 

 species was first reported from Panama by Lawrence (Ann. Lye. Nat. 

 Hist. New York, vol. 7, 1862, p. 473) from a specimen received from 

 McLeannan. Sclater and Salvin (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 

 p. 350) also listed it at this same early date, perhaps from this same 

 specimen, which Lawrence had submitted to Sclater for advice as to 

 its identity. 



The Slaty-headed Tody-flycatcher differs decidedly in its manner 

 of life from the two related species of the genus found in Panama, as 

 it is secretive, living in the main under cover, so that it is unusual 

 to see it in the open. Its presence usually is made known by its croak- 

 ing, toadlike call, low in tone, very similar to that of the small Bentbill 

 Flycatcher, but shorter and less trilling in sound, accompanied by a 

 low clicking note, not given by the other species mentioned. It was 

 not until I had identified this call, heard on numerous occasions before 

 I was able to trace it certainly to the author, that I realized the bird 

 was fairly common over a considerable range. It seems probable 

 that the species was little known to early naturalists as then its forest 

 cover was more extensive. Suitable range for it certainly is now 

 more abundant through clearing for cultivation, with extensive stands 

 of second growth and of low shrubbery at the borders of fields and 

 pastures. The birds move about readily, mostly in pairs, and may sug- 

 gest gnatcatchers in their action. On other occasions, when moving in 

 leisurely manner, they have suggested small vireos. When seen clearly 

 I have noted that the distal ends of the tail feathers in males often 

 are slightly expanded, compared to the faintly narrower outline of 

 these feathers in females. 



The notes of General G. Ralph Meyer record breeding in the Forest 

 Reserve on Madden Road, Canal Zone, on July 23, 194L The nest 

 was suspended from the tip of a branch in a stand of small saplings, 

 under cover, and not in open view like that of Todirostrum cinereum. 

 The main structure was about 30 centimeters in length, made of 

 grasses, with straggling wisps hanging a few centimeters below the 

 lower end. The nest proper was of fine grass below a mass of heavy 

 grasses, that looked as though it might serve to shed rain. There 



