CHERRIE: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE ORINOCO REGION. 205 



of soft dead grasses, others are without lining. They average about 

 38 cm. in length and 15 cm. in diameter, but little constricted at the top. 



The colonies are frequently so compact that three and four nests 

 may press one against another and actually be woven one to another. 



Two eggs constitute a set and there is considerable variation in 

 shape and size between the various sets, but not between the eggs of 

 individual sets. In five sets that I have before me there are good ex- 

 amples of ovate, elongate ovate and cylindrical ovate. The measure- 

 ments of the five sets are 26.75 ^ i^-S ^"d 27.5 x 19.5 ; 27.75 ^ ^9 ^^^ 

 27x18.75; 29.5x17.75 and 31x17.75; 27.25x18.5 and 28x18.5; 

 27 X 18.25 and 28.25 X 18.75 "'''i''- 1"^^ color is white with a faint bluish 

 wash, marked with specks, spots and blotches of chestnut over vinaceous 

 brown. In some eggs the markings are pretty evenly distributed over 

 the entire egg; in others they are almost confined to large blotches in a 

 ring about the larger end. 



The colors in fresh birds are : eye azure blue ; bill pale sulphur 

 yellow ; feet black. 



Cacicus haemorrhous haemorrhous (Linnaeus). 

 Oriolus haemorrhous L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 161. 

 Cassicus haemorrhous Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. 



This was the only form of Cacicus observed on the Orinoco above 

 the falls of Atures and was found there almost as abundantly as was 

 C. ccla on the lower and middle stretches of the river. 



Icterus chrysocephalus (Linnaeus). 

 Oriolus chrysocephalus L., Syst. Nat. ed. 12. I. 1766. p. 164. 

 Xanthornus chrysocephalus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. 



Native name Moriche. Specimens were secured in the vicinity of 

 the first falls in the river, at Perico, and from that point onward up 

 stream. I also noted this species in the trees along the river bank at 

 several points below Ciudad Bolivar. It is somewhat remarkable that it 

 was nowhere observed between Bolivar and the falls of Atures. 



Orioles of this species are much sought after as cage birds by the 

 natives and are sold often at from three to ten dollars each. 



Icterus auricapieeus Cassin. 

 Icterus auricapillus Cass., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. III. 1847. p. 332. 

 Xanthornus auricapillus Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 31. 



