CHERRIS: ORNITHOLOGY OF THE; ORINOCO REGION. 303 



NycTIPROGNE; I.EUCOPYGIA (Spix). 



Caprimulgus leucopygus Spix, Av. Bras. II. 1823. p. 3. PI. 3. 

 Nyctiprogne leucopygia Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 90. 



Eye blackish ; feet dusky slate. 



This species was in the Delta Region about Las Barrancas, also at 

 Ciudad Bolivar and at Caicara. During the day time these birds con- 

 ceal themselves in the dense thickets bordering ponds and streams, 

 where they may be found perched on horizontal "feranches from 30 to 

 100 cm. from the ground. They perch crossways of the branch, and 

 not infrequently I have seen from two to eight or ten huddled close 

 beside one another all facing in the same direction. 



PODAGER NACUNDA (Vieillot). 



Caprimulgus nacunda Vieill., Nouv. Diet. x. p. 240 (1817). 



Two taken at San Mateo de Caicara; male May 19th and female 

 May 25th. 



Eye dark ; bill blacl'ish ; feet dusky grey. 



On my previous visits to the Orinoco this species was observed on 

 two occasions but no specimens were collected. It seems tO' keep entirely 

 to the open savanna not even seeking the protection and concealment of 

 thickets when at rest during the day. 



In my rather long experience as a collector I have met with very 

 few birds as difficult to make up into good skins as the present species. 



MICROPODID^— THE SWIFTS. 



Only three species were included in the Berlepsch and Hartert 

 paper, two of which number were collected on the Orinoco proper and 

 the third recorded from Suapure on the Caura River. Additional col- 

 lecting will almost certainly add to this number. 



Ceaudia squamata (Cassin). 

 Cypselus sqiiamatus Cass., Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VI. 1853. p. 369. 

 Claudia squamata Berlepsch & Hartert, p. 91. 



This species was abundant about Altagracia and at Caicara where 

 they were frequently observed coursing over the savannas during the 

 afternoon, when the sun was hottest. They were noted in parties of 

 from twenty to fifty. 



