﻿534 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. loo 



zuela, but in size it agrees with orenocensis, to which race it should 

 belong on geographic grounds. 



This saltator was common at the edge of the dry woods around 

 Cantaura and Caicara; it was present, but not common, at the edge 

 of the wet woods. In its actions, this was a rather quiet bird. It 

 could often be seen sitting quietly eating blossoms of papaya (Carica 

 papaya) or cundiamor {Momordica charantia) slowly, one after the 

 other. 



Two calls were noted for this species, a sharp cheep and a scolding 

 chew-chew-chew. The song varied, but two typical ones were recorded — 

 a rhythmic rapid whee-chee-chrrr repeated over and over, the chee being 

 the highest and accented note, the chrrr the lowest, and a peee-chu 

 repeated again and again. 



Local name, "pichu-pichu," in imitation of the song. 



SPIZA AMERICANA (Gmelin) 



Emberiza americana Gmelin, Systema naturae, vol. 1, pt. 2, 1789, p. 872 (based on 

 "Black-throated Bunting" Pennant, Arctic zoology, vol. 2, p. 364, pL 17: 



New York). 



SPECIMENS COLLECTED 



1 cf , 1 ? , Cantaura, February 2 and 20, 1948; gonads small; iris brown, bill 

 light brown darkening at tip and top, feet brown. 



The dickcissel is a common winter visitor in Venezuela. It was 

 recorded in the deciduous seasonal wood-edge habitat at Cantaura 

 during the months of January thi'ough April, and November. In 

 season it was the commonest bird in the habitat, at least 500 being 

 seen in a day, probably considerably more, as it was difficult to esti- 

 mate their numbers. Toward evening these birds could be seen flying 

 over high, in flocks of about 50 individuals. At times the pebbly 

 chrrt note could be heard, even when the birds were flying rather high. 



SPOROPHILA INTERMEDIA Cabanis 



Sporophila intermedia Cabanis, Museum Heineanum, vol. 1, 1851, p. 149 (Vene- 

 zuela) . 



specimens collected 



1 cf (juv.), 1 ad. cf, Cantaura, March 17 and April 11, 1946; gonads very 

 small; iris brown. 



The young bird, which is in a plumage resembling that of the adult 

 female, has a dark bill; the adult has a pale beak. The adult has only 

 a few whitish feathers on the throat. Both birds are in worn plumage. 



This finch was seen occasionally in bushy fields around Cantaura 

 and Caicara, never more than two individuals at a time. It was 

 fahiy common in the deciduous seasonal woods habitat, at times being 

 seen in small flocks of less than 10 individuals. It was recorded 

 throughout the year. 



