PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 383 
Fam. FRINGILLID 2. 
15. Volatinia jacarina (Linn.). 
Common. Lives in open fields. Nests on or near the ground. Gre- 
garious. 
16. Cyanospiza cyanea (Linn.). 
Common. Habits similar to preceding species. Four specimens. 
*17. Cyanospiza ciris (Linn.). 
Abundant. It-is a curious fact that, while I saw hundreds of these 
birds every time I went out collecting, and had ample opportunity to 
observe them at close quarters, I did not see a single male C. ciris at 
Sucuyaé. There were many large flocks composed, apparently, entirely 
of females. I would certainly have seen the gaudily-colored males, had 
there been any considerable number in the region. Six specimens. 
*18. Hzmophila ruficauda (Bp.). 
Rather common along the hedges. Three specimens. 
Fam. ICTERIDA. 
19. Ostinops montezume (Less. ). 
Abundant. Iris brown. Basal half of bill black, terminal half red. 
Wattles white. Bare spot under eyes light blue. 
The *“‘ Oropendola,” as this bird is called by the natives, is one of the 
most familiar and conspicuous birds of the region. 
It feeds largely on plantains, bananas, mangoes, and other cultivated 
fruits, thus making itself obnoxious to the inhabitants. 
The “‘Oropendola” lives in colonies which, in this region, are generally 
located in cocoanut palms. The nests are long and purse-like, and are 
generally composed of fine grasses, the entrance being near the top. 
There are often fifty or more of these nests in a single tree. The birds 
have a curious way of getting into the nests and shaking them violently, 
producing a rattling noise. It would be almost impossible to describe 
the note of this bird, as it is so totally different from any other with 
which I am acquainted. I have sometimes heard a similar noise pro- 
duced by a cart-wheel that needed greasing, but a cart-wheel makes so 
many different noises that the comparison is almost a useless one. Seven 
specimens. 
I am told that forty or fifty years ago there were no Oropendolas in 
this region. 
20. Cassicus prevosti (Less. ). 
Not common. Seems to be gregarious. Three specimens. Iris light 
yellow. Bill light yellowish green. 
21. Quiscalus macrurus (Swain.) 
Iris white. Common. 
