﻿526 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. loo 



Though the bird was not recorded in the deciduous seasonal woods with- 

 in the area, it was observed in similar woods near water to the north of 

 the study area, proof that the species was not closely confined to the 

 lowland seasonal forest. 



In June and July colonies of 5 to 30 pairs swung their pendant 

 nests from the tops of dead trees throughout the forest. Locally they 

 are reputed to build their nests near large wasp nests for protection. 

 Whatever the reason, it was often found that a wasp nest would 

 occupy one of the upper branches of the tree in which the birds were 

 nesting. 



The commonest call was a rising croruck followed by three whistled 

 notes, wheeo, whow, wu, each lower than the preceding note. 



Local name, "arrendajo," 



MOLOTHEUS BONARIENSIS VENEZUELENSIS Stone 



Molothrus venezuelensis Stone, Auk, vol. 8, 1891, p. 347 (Venezuela=Lake 

 Valencia). 



SPECIMEN COLLECTED 



1 cf, Caicara, January 1, 1946; gonads not enlarged; iris brown. 



The single specimen collected is in fairly fresh plumage. 



The example collected of the Venezuelan shiny cowbird was one 

 of a pair that were eating blossoms on the top of a tall tree at the edge 

 of the wet woods. The bird was fairly common in open fields around 

 Cantaura ; rare during the winter months, increasing in numbers toward 

 the end of February. - Flocks of more than about 10 individuals were 

 not observed. 



HOLOQUISCALUS LUGUBRIS LUGUBRIS (Swainson) 



Quiscalus lugubris Swainson, Animals in menageries, 1837, p. 299 ("Brazil"; 

 error = British Guiana). 



SPECIMEN COLLECTED 



1 9 , Caicara, December 20, 1945; gonads not enlarged; iris white; plumage 

 fairly fresh. 



The bird was taken in open mesa type of country. Comparison 

 of it with other examples of lugubris and with insularis shows no 

 trend toward the latter form. It follows that insularis is wholly 

 confined to Margarita Island as far as present evidence goes. 



This grackle was fairly common locally at the edge of the open 

 savanna both around Cantaura and Caicara, usually encountered in 

 flocks of from 10 to 30 birds. The call note of this species was a 

 gracklelike check-check and a high descending cheeee. 



It was recorded throughout the year, nesting in February, March, 

 and September. The nest was a weU-built affair of twigs, fibers, 

 string, and cotton and was often placed in the Trinitaria bushes 

 growing against the houses. 



