FAMILY CUCULIDAE I23 



Zone on the Pacific slope, and from western Colon on the Caribbean 

 side, east to the Colombian boundary. 



Large size, compared with the other anis, attracts attention at 

 once in this species, and identification is certain when the light-colored 

 eye is seen. The greater ani ranges in flocks like the others, but 

 mainly in close vicinity to water. Thickets and low trees along low- 

 land rivers where the shores are swampy, or subject to overflow, 

 and similar areas are the usual haunt. It is common to see them 

 during travel by canoe along lowland streams, especially where these 

 flow through marshes. Usually the birds are in small flocks of four 

 to a dozen, composed of pairs, except when growing young accompany 

 their parents. The bands are found constantly in the same locality. 

 In studies in Guyana David E. Davis (Auk, 1941, pp. 179-183) found 

 that each party had its definite territory, but that intruding birds 

 from elsewhere were tolerated without fighting. 



Though of slender form, the greater ani is a stronger, more 

 heavily muscled bird than its small relatives, one that flies with greater 

 precision, even in buffeting breezes. I have seen them cross open 

 stretches of river channel 100 meters wide by sailing with stiffly set 

 wings in a quartering direction against a strong wind, only stroking 

 as they approached the farther shore as a guide to a perch on which 

 to land. At other times they stroke briefly to gain momentum, then 

 sail, alternating in these two movements until they reach suitable 

 shelter. Usually they seek cover when approached. At rest they 

 swing the long tail over the body, and then let it fall, a regularly 

 repeated action. As cold morning mists clear after daybreak they 

 rest with spread wings in the warm sun, when the dark, iridescent 

 blue of the plumage shows to its best advantage. In general they 

 present a smooth outline in contrast to the often disheveled appear- 

 ance of the companion species of ani frequently found near them. 



Their calls, completely different also from those of their cousins, 

 vary from low, rather harsh croaking gutturals to the curious bub- 

 bling sounds from which they bear the usual name of cocinera — 

 cook — as these notes suggest the bubbling of boiling water, or the 

 simmering of grease in a pan over a cooking fire. Another name, 

 heard in the savanna country of the Chepo area is chocho negro — 

 black jay — in allusion to the long-tailed form like that of the common 

 lowland jay (Cyanocorax affinis zeledoni) known universally as 

 chocho in imitation of its usual call. 



The food of this ani includes a variety of large orthoptera, among 

 them roaches, also caterpillars, beetles, and smaller insects, with 



