﻿472 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. loo 



June, near stands of moriche palms (Mauritiajlexuosa) on the savanna 

 near Cantaura. The species is apparently rare around Cantaura, as 

 the residents of that area did not know the bird. 



The note of this species is very similar to that of Aratinga acuticau- 

 data neoxena, although slightly higher in pitch. With both species 

 flying over it was possible to distinguish flocks of this bird from the 

 others by its note. 



ARATINGA PERTINAX MARGARITENSIS (Ck>ry) 



Ewpsittula pertinax margaritensis Cory, Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., zool. ser., 

 vol. 13, pt. 2, 1918, p. 63 (Margarita Island). 



SPECIMENS COLLECTED 



1 9 , Cantaura, January 30, 1945; gonads not enlarged; iris pale yellow, feet dull 

 brown. 



1 c?, Cantaura, April 19, 1948; gonads small, one extremely small; iris dull 

 yellow, feet black, bill dark gray; gizzard contained seeds. 



The rectrices of the January bird are all imperfect; their tips 

 apparently were shot off when the bird was collected. This specimen 

 is slightly darker on the crown and on the throat than are some from 

 Soledad, in this respect suggesting an intergradation toward chryso- 

 phrys of the Guianas. 



This was the commonest parakeet collected in the region. Though 

 present at all times of the year in all types of habitat visited, it was 

 most abundant at the edge of the dry woods, where it was generally 

 encountered in flocks of 10 to 20 or more individuals. 



These birds were found nesting in hollowed-out termite nests about 

 10 to 20 feet above ground, from February through April. The 

 clutch was usually of three or four eggs. 



The commonest call note of this parrot was a dry chrrr cheeedit, 

 heavily accented on the chee. In April these birds were observed 

 feeding on the fruit of "mapurite" {Fagara caribaea) and "chaparro" 

 (Curatella americana) . 



The local name of the bird, "perico cara sucia," dirty-faced para- 

 keet, refers to the dull dirty-brown coloration of the throat. 



FORPUS PASSERINUS VIRIDISSIMUS (Lafresnaye) 



Psittacula viridissima Lafresnaye, Rev. Zool., 1848, p. 172 (Caracas, Venezuela). 



SPECIMEN collected 



1 cf, Cantaura, January 31, 1945; gonads very small; iris light brown, feet and 

 biU light flesh color; seeds found in gizzard; slight signs of body molt. 



This little parrot was fairly common in all habitats in the region 

 visited except the open savaima. It showed preference for the edge 

 habitats, both near wet and dry woods. It was recorded in every 

 month except May, October, and December. 



