148 BRITISH ÜUYANA BIRDS EGGS. 



The egg is distinguished from that of N°. 5 by having 

 more spots and the spots being more uniform in tint. 



They hatch from January to June. I have not seen them 

 build in October. — One egg (N°. 18). 



7. Icterus xanthornus (Gin.). 

 Yellow Plantain Bird. 



They make a hanging nest of grass, like a bag, with 

 an open mouth , from the end of branches of trees or low 

 bushes. The nest is generally about eight or ten inches 

 long , but may be eighteen inches long , and three or four 

 inches in diameter. The bird builds from the inside and 

 outside alternately , and as a consequence the nest is smooth 

 on both sides. 



They do not build in colonies , although two or more 

 nests are found on one tree. 



They lay three eggs. 



The egg — 25 mm. by 17 mm. — is white, having 

 light violet and black irregular lines about the large end, 

 the black lines commence with a spot. 



They hatch from January to July: if the spring is wet 

 they hatch later. - Two eggs (N°. 19). 



8. Rhamphocoelus jacapa (L.). 

 Black Sackie. 



The nest is open like a cup and built of twigs and 

 dry leaves , especially the leaves of the bamboo , and 

 lined with coarse fibres. They build in the centre of low 

 thick bushes or in the fork of a branch of moderately 

 high trees. Some nests are made of brown materials — 

 brown twigs , brown leaves , and brown fibres — resem- 

 bling the colour of the bird. 



They lay three eggs. 



The egg — 21 mm. by 18 mm. — is greenish blue, 

 spotted with black and purple spots , the former being more 



Notes from tlie Leyden Musenm, Vol. XI. 



