178 Dr. E. A. Goeldi on Myiopatis scmifusca. 



an interesting topic. Just as the seeds of certain plants 

 are furnished with wings, down, hooks, and other similar 

 contrivances as means of dissemination, so this parasite 

 enjoys the same advantage in its viscous involucre when 

 scattered by the small bird in question. On examining the 

 position of the freshly deposited seeds on the twigs it is 

 always to be noticed that, without exception, the germinal 

 end of the seed, that is, where the primitive root is to appear, 

 is placed next to the bark. I have not yet ascertained 

 whether this position of the seeds is due merely to gravitation, 

 which makes the heavier end turn downwards, or whether 

 it is because the viscous pulp exists only on the germinal 

 end. 



"Should we consider the 'Caga-sebo' as a useful or as a 

 harmful bird ? This question is not yet fully settled. From 

 the facts given above alone we should come to the conclusion 

 that we should classify it as a harmful bird, as the damage 

 and annoyance caused by the parasite are well known to 

 everybody. 



" At the present time of writing (end of October and be- 

 ginning of November 1900), the ' herva do passat'iulio' is in 

 blossom, and not a single specimen with fruit is to be met with. 

 The above-mentioned observations were made by me in July 

 and August. The temporary disappearance of the ' Caga- 

 sebo ' from its accustomed haunts coincides exactly with the 

 end of the supply of the berries of the Loranthi. Supposing 

 that, in default of berries, they might feed on insects, I 

 searched for several days for some specimens in order to 

 examine the contents of their stomachs to throw light on 

 the problem. 1 was much surprised not to find a single 

 specimen after four days' search in localities where in the 

 ' berry-time ' I was sure to meet with them in flocks. 

 "Where had they gone to ? Perhaps not being inclined to 

 feed exclusively on insects they had left the bamboos and 

 other groups of trees and bushes infested with the ' herva de 

 passarinho ' in order to look for other fruit-bearing plants 

 in the forest during the interval before the ripening of their 

 favourite food. Up to the present time I suspend my 



