72 FROGHOPPER BLIGHT OF SUGAR-CANE. 



(3.) Volatinia jacarina. The Small Black-Finch or Black Dancing 

 Grass-bird. Tliis is one of the commonest small birds in the cane fields, 

 of a shining blue-black in colour and easily recognised by its habit of 

 perching on a small bush or twig and suddenly rising in the air a few 

 feet to perform dance like gyrations in the air before returning to tlie 

 same perch. 



Unlike most other finches in Trinidad this bird feeds to a considerable 

 extent on an insect diet, although still remaining chiefly vegetarian. 

 One shot at Caroni Estate on 28th September, 1917 contained only seeds 

 and beetle's wings. Another shot at Harmony Hall on the 27th October, 

 1917 contained one froghopper and seeds, a third shot at Williamsville 

 Estate on 11th June, 1918 contained several froghoppers, the remains of 

 a small beetle and some seeds, whila a fourth shot at the same time 

 contained also froghoppers, beetles and seeds. 



It nests on or within a few inches of the ground usually in a tuft of 

 grass or low bush. Nests have been found in August and November. 



(4.1 Icterus xantliornis. The Common Corn-Bird, Yellow Corn- 

 Bird, Yellow Plantain Bird or Carouge. 



Thip golden bird with black head, neck, wings, and tail is one of the 

 most conspicuous birds on the sugar estates. 



One shot at Harmony Hall on 20th October, 1917 contained one 

 froghopper, a beetle, two caterpillars, and some vegetable remains. 

 Another shot at La Fortunee, 11th July. 1918, contained a froghopper, 

 2 moths (one probably the lai"ge moth-borer of sugar-cane) and some 

 small beetles. 



This bird builds a stocking-like nest about one foot in length which 

 is a conspicuous object hanging from the top of a tall tree or clump of 

 bamboos. In the sugar district'; these ne^^ts are usually solitary and 

 twenty teet or more above the ground, but on one occasion I found one 

 on a low bush, in the middle of a cane field, that was not more than 

 seven feet from the^ ground. 



The birds appear to nest thronghout the wet season and one pair 

 may produce more than one brood during that time. 



According to Leotaud it feeds on seeds, berries and insects. 



(5.) Molothrus atronitens. Lazy Bird. 



This bird is occasionally seen on sugar estates. It is shining blue- 

 black in colour and in habits (whence it derives its popular name) it 

 resembles the cuckoo in England, as it lays its eggs in the nests of other 

 birds, chiefly those of the house wren. 



The stomach of one shot at Harmony Hall on 1st Jul}-, 1919 

 contained three froghoppers, one small weevil, one small plant-eating 

 beetle, and some broken seeds resembling corn, the latter forming the 

 chief contents of the stomach. 



(6.) Agelaius icterocejiliahis. Golden-head, or Rice-Bird. 



This bird is usually seen in the neighbourhood of water and is often 

 common round the ponds in the cane fields. It is black or dark brown 

 with a golden yellow head. 



It occasionally eats froghoppers along with general insect diet. One 

 shot at Williamsville on 13th August, 1918 contained beetles, (including 

 Metamabius), moih.?, and some doubtful vegetable remams ; one shot at 

 La Fortunee 12th September, 1918 contained some small beetles and 

 three seeds ; while a third shot at Harmony Hall on 30th June, 1919 

 contained about 20 adult froghoppers and one nymph, a small brown 



