562 Mr. AV. L. S. Loat on the 



decumanus). The male was nearly six inches longer than the 

 female^ and in many of the allied species the dift'erence 

 between the sexes is also very noticeable. Their nests were 

 attached to the ends of the leaves of some coconnt-palms, 

 in a retired spot, and were nearly three feet long, made of 

 dried grasses, &c., beantifully woven together. The attach- 

 ment of the nest to the leaf was very securely made, being 

 continued for more than two feet up from the tip. One nest 

 contained a single youiig bird almost fully fledged. These 

 " Bunyars " are very partial to the mango and other fruits, 

 often doing a good deal of damage. They are much more 

 shy than most of the other Icteridse, and generally hang 

 their nests in places difficult of access. 



The " Reed-bird " [Agelaus icterocephaliis) may often be 

 seen here in flocks of twenty to thirty among the reeds 

 where they build their nests. The bright yellow head of 

 the male is in striking contrast to the rest of its black 

 plumage. The '^ Robin " {Leistes ffuianensis) is common in 

 the fields and pastures of the colony. It has a peculiar 

 habit of flying up into the air to the height of about twenty- 

 five feet; then, drawing its wings close to its side, it shoots 

 obliquely downward, uttering a loud chirping kind of song, 

 whether done from exuberance of spirits or to charm its 

 mate, which is generally somewhere near, I cannot say. The 

 crimson breast of an adult male is of a most beautiful tint, 

 and is well shown when he performs this aerial movement. 

 Another common bird of the colony is the Yellow Plantain- 

 bird {Icterus xanthornus), which builds a small hanging 

 nest. The " Blackbird " (a species of Quiscalus) is also very 

 common. One generally sees a dozen or so of them about 

 the mule- and cattle-sheds on the sugar-estates, and also in 

 the pastures. The peculiar formation of the tail of the male 

 of this bird is well shown when it is flying. It has the 

 appearance of being placed almost at right angles to the long 

 axis of the body. This species, and many others which 

 obtain most of their food on the ground, are very often 

 infested about the face with numbers of minute red insects, 

 known as 'Hjete rouge" in the colony. The irritation set 



