SECTION VI. — NATURAL fclNE.MlES OF HIE FROGHOPPER. 73 



beetle and traces of vegetable matter. It nests in the reeds and grasses 

 growing in the shallow water round the edges of ponds. Nests have 

 been found in July and August. 



(7.) Leisfes grdanensis. Soldier Bird or Red-Breast. 



This bird is confined to the savannahs and pasture lands. It is 

 blackish brown with a brilliant red breast. 



One shot at C'raignish on 18th June, 1918 contained the remains of a 

 froghopper, a grasshopper, a caterpillar, and a beetle ; another shot at 

 Harmony Hall, 2nd June, 1919, contained no froghoppers biit nmnerous 

 remains of small beetles (including two weevils) and about ten small 

 Hemiptera. 



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

 is often seen in large flocks in ihe pastures. Nests have been found in 

 August and have been reported by Dr. Shannon in December. 



(8.) Quisquahis lugubj-is. Bo it-tail, Golden-eye, 'Barbados' Black- 

 Bird or Pen-Bird. (Fi-?. 12). 



Fig. 12. 



Fig. 12— Ttif Ti-iniilail Boat-tail (Qiusqwt'ns lugubris). About two-fifths natural size. 



This is one of the most abundant birds in the neighbourhood of the 

 buildings and pens of a sugar estate. It is shining black with the iris of 

 the eye golden yellow. AVhen in flight and occasionally at other, times, 

 the tail feathers are arranged in the form of a "V, from which it derives 

 its popular name of "Boat-tail." 



It feeds on a variety of insects and other small fry. One shot at 

 Harmony Hall 20th October 1917 contained a froghopper, some beetles, 

 many small insects and the remains of a small lizard. Another shot at 

 Caroni, 30th October 1917, contained twenty or thirty froghoppers and 

 a few beetles; while a third shot at Wellington Estate on 9th July 1918, 

 contained 8 adult and 2 nymph froghoppers, 8 spiders, 5 white-ants 

 (Termites), a grasshopi^er and a cockroach. 



It nests in trees, usually well out of reach, and is particularly fond 

 of tall palm trees (Palmiste) or the wild pines (Bromeliads) growing on_ 

 other large trees. 



