﻿430 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. loo 



SPECIMENS COLLECTED 



1 unsexed, Mundo Nuevo, near San Antonio de Maturin, February 1946; 

 plumage worn. 



1 cf" (?), 1 9 , Caicara, November 3, 8, 1947; the 9 with enlarged gonads; the 

 c? (?) with iris dull orange. 



The specimen questionably sexed as a male is a young bird just 

 acquiring its remiges, which are only about a third their full size. Its 

 rectrices, on the other hand, are practically full grown. 



Rivers, brooks, and swamps, when located in heavy woods, form the 

 preferred habitat of this species. For the cormorant (Phalocrocorax o. 

 olivaceus) the essential habitat requisite is apparently merely sufficient 

 water, as it is present along the Guarapiche River where it flows 

 through deep woods and along the Guanipa River where it flows over 

 the open savanna. The anhinga does not require so much water, a 

 small brook being at times sufficient, but it appears necessary that 

 this be located near stands of tall trees, in which the bird often perches. 



The snakebird was present along the Guarapiche River around 

 Caicara but was not seen near Cantaura. The collector never saw 

 more than two individuals in one day, and then it was generally a pair 

 flying together. The species was recorded in January, February, 

 April, November, and December, four individuals being the maximum 

 seen in any one month. 



The call note is a rather loud, harsh cruk-cruk-cruk, repeated rapidly. 



Local name, "cotiia." 



Family ARDEIDAE: Herons 



ARDEA COCCI Linnaeus 



Ardea Cocoi Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 12, vol. 1, 1766, p. 237 (Cayenne). 



SPECIMEN COLLECTED 



1, unsexed (wing only), Cantaura, April 24, 1949. 



This partial wing of a cocoi heron was taken from a fahly freshly 

 killed bird found on April 24; it was saved merely to establish the local 

 record. 



This large, wary heron was generally found near woodland ponds, 

 although it was also reported on the open savanna. It was not com- 

 mon; not more than one bird was ever seen in a day, although it was 

 recorded during February, March, April, and July. The note of this 

 heron was a harsh wok. Its local name, "garza morena," means 

 "dark-colored heron." 



PHILHERODIAS PILEATUS (Boddaert) 



Ardea pileata Boddaert, Table des planches enlumin^ez . . ., 1783, p. 54 (Cay- 

 enne, ex Planches enluminees, pi. 907). 



