FAMILY CUCULIDAE 1 27 



Velo, at 1,600 meters above Boquete, on November 11, 1932. (Blake, 

 Fieldiana: Zool., vol. 36, 1958, p. 513). 



I found several in March 1951, in the enclosed basin at El Valle, 

 Code. In May and June 1953, they were common around Sona and 

 Santiago, Veraguas, and were seen west along the highway to the Rio 

 Tabasara. Beyond, in subsequent years I noted anis regularly to 

 David and Concepcion, as well as in the uplands from El Volcan to 

 Sereno on the Costa Rican boundary. 



On the Caribbean side, in February and March 1952, I found this 

 species west of the Canal Zone in the valley of the Rio Indio from its 

 mouth inland to the low foothills at El Uracillo. Code. This was the 

 most western record at the time, but it is possible that they have ex- 

 tended since to farmlands on the lower Rio Code del Norte. None 

 have been reported as yet from the Caribbean slope of Veraguas, nor 

 from Bocas del Toro. 



Smooth-billed anis are interesting birds, found ordinarily in small 

 flocks (seldom alone) that occupy definite territories (Davis, Auk, 

 1940, p. 182; Quart. Rev. Biol., 1942, p. 117). These they defend 

 against entry of others of their species, but greater anis and groove- 

 billed anis that may intrude casually are not always molested. They 

 search for food mainly on open ground, where they hop, run, or fly 

 over small obstacles, often awkwardly, at times seeming to be ham- 

 pered in movement by the long tail. Should the flock move along while 

 one is left behind, presently, when the single one realizes its solitude, 

 it begins to call loudly and flies precipitately, continuing its noise until 

 it has found the others. In pastures anis range invariably with cattle 

 or horses, running actively about the heads of the grazing beasts for 

 the insects that are flushed, with the animals paying no attention to 

 them. At such times the birds often appear alert and active. When 

 approached they rise to perches on bushes, trees, or wires, where they 

 alight awkwardly with oscillating tails. If disturbed further they fly 

 off, singly or three or four together, uttering their complaining calls. 



Occasionally in early morning I have seen them on the ground in 

 open roadways, at times in company with doves. When the air is damp 

 and cool they spend much time in sunning on open perches, resting 

 with opened wings and fluffed feathers. For this purpose they may 

 descend to bare, open ground where often they lie prone in a close 

 group, with the individuals touching. It is common for them to rest 

 together on wires or branches side by side, perhaps facing in opposite 

 directions. At such times they preen the heads and necks of com- 

 panions, occasionally with birds on either side working on one in the 



