146 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE; MUSEUM. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. 



writer secured a single example at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar on 

 the 1907 expedition. There is also in the American Museum collection a 

 small series of specimens collected by Klages from Maripa, in the Caura 

 River region. 



HelEodytes nuciialis (Cabanis). 



Campylorhynchus nuchalis Cab., Orn. Not. in Arch. Naturg. XIII. 

 1847. p. 206; Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 5. 



An abundant species along the middle Orinoco. Specimens 

 were collected at Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. It 

 frequents similar localities to those where H. griseus is found and may 

 be usually seen in pairs or family parties. 



In fresh specimens the colors are: eye straw yellow; feet slate 

 grey ; bill above dusky, below pale flesh color. 



The nesting habits of this species are somewhat similar to those 

 of H. griseus, and equally interesting. A nest containing four fresh 

 eggs was fpund at Caicara, May 12, 1907 (No. 14,737 Cherrie Coll.). 

 It was one of half a dozen irregular shapeless masses of fine soft root- 

 lets, grasses, feathers and tufts of the soft silky down from fruits of the 

 silk-cotton (balsamo) tree. Each of the nests, apparently masses of rub- 

 bish, was provided with two or three entrances to as many chambers, or 

 instead of opening into separate chambers they were in some cases 

 entrances to tunnels through the nest mass ! Only one of the several 

 nest masses, however, was in use as a nest proper. That contained 

 four fresh eggs. To the nest cavity proper there was only one en- 

 trance, but in addition there were in the same nest mass two tunnels 

 running from side to side. At the time when the eggs were secured 

 both parent birds were present and showed the greatest excitement. 

 Their actions were most extraordinary, and instead of employing 

 their time with cries of distress, or scolding the intruder, they im- 

 mediately went to work, industriously carrying mouthfuls of soft 

 feathers and balsamo from 'one nest mass to another, but not going 

 near the real nest. However, when they realized that the enemy 

 could not be deceived by their artifice, they turned their attention to 

 the nest mass containing the eggs, and worked with such a will, and 

 with such good efifect, packing the entrance with balsamo and soft 

 feathers, even while I was engaged in cutting the branch that supported 

 the nest, that by the time the nest was on the ground no entrance was 

 visible. For a moment I was inclined to believe I had made a mistake. 



