126 MEMOIRS OF THE XUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



257. Sturnella magna hippocrepis (Wagler). 

 Cuban Meadowlark; Sabaxero. 



The Cuban Meadowlark is more common and tamer than our own, and 

 in the field is very similar in appearance. It is to be seen everywhere in the 

 drier and more open portions of the Island. It does not, of course, frequent 

 cane fields, but pastures and savanna lands swarm with these very musical 

 and engaging Larks. Their nest is similar to that of the Northern species. 

 The call is a more prolonged whistle, and is less broken into several notes 

 than with our birds. 



As Todd has shown, hippocrepis is surely most closely related to 

 argutula of Florida. 



258. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linne). 

 Bobolink; Chambergo. 



Gundlach said that it passed through Cuba in great numbers in 

 October and again in May. Formerly, when rice was cultivated in the 

 Island, these birds did much damage and spent some time in the rice 

 fields, to the disgust of the planters. Now this does not occur, and the 

 reduced numbers which migrate through the Island do not tarry long and 

 find but little to attract them in the open pastures and marshes. The 

 Chambergos are well known to be delicious, as with us. 



259. Spindalis pretrei (Lesson). 

 Cabrero. 



I never have found the Cuban Spindalis a common bird, although 

 Gundlach says it was rather abundant in his time. It frequents overgrown 

 hillsides and rather wild tangles in old pastures, and the edges of big woods. 

 One always finds it in pairs, and one is always surprised that it shows no 

 fear of man. It is persistently trapped, — or rather was, — and still is a 

 favorite cage-bird, sought after for the aviaries so many Latin-Americans 

 maintain among the shrubs and palms which decorate and shade the patio. 



