^%Y'"] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 517 



Tlic criiii.soi) blossoms of a siiuill spieadiiig' trco, coinmou in the 

 woods, are quite attractive to this species. 

 Basal half of mandible Naples yellow; feet flesh -colored. 



182. Lampornis prevosti (Less.). 



Taken at Los Sabalos and Han Carlos, It was rather common at 

 the latter place in ti'ees which bore trumpet-shaped carmine flowers. 



183. Florisuga mellivora (Linn.). 



A pair obtained in a cacao plantation on the Sail Juan, near 

 Greytown. It was rather common there. 



184. Amazilia fuscicaudata (Eras.). 



Very abundant at all places visited, far outnumbering the other 

 Hummingbirds. This species is confined to clearings, and does not 

 occur in the forest. On the Escondido it haunts the banana plan- 

 tations, where it is attracted by the large purple flowers of the banana 

 plants. The note is almost identical with the "tuck" of the Junco 

 {Junvo hy emails). 



Bill brownish carmine, except tip, which is black. 



185. Polyerata amabilis ((Jonkl). 



Rather uncommon. Observed on both rivers. It is usually found in 

 clearings and plantations, but occasionally in open woods. I once shot 

 a specimen as it hovered before some flowers, on the opposite side of a 

 small creek. It fell into the water, and almost immediately a green 

 lizard ran to it, bronglit it out, and, after shaking it, deposited it on the 

 moss, with which the ground was covered. The lizard then assumed a 

 ludicrcms jiosition and contemplated the victim, which was still alive, 

 and would probably have devoured it had I not shot it also, thus se- 

 curing two specimens instead of one. Mr. Mitchell one day had his 

 attention called to an Iguana in a tree near the house by the cries of a 

 small bird, which the reptile had caught. The large lizards and 

 Iguanas probably catch small birds for food whenever the opportunity 



offers. 



Family CUCULID^. 



186. Crotophaga sulcirostris Sw. 



Abundant in plantations and clearings. Seems to be gregarious all 

 the year round. The stomachs of many of those I examined contained 

 grasshoi)pers, with whicli they often gorge themselves. 



187. Piaya cayana niehleri (Bonap.). 



Common. This species has a habit of running along the limbs, 

 which gives it a close resemblance to a squirrel. It is indifferent as to 

 choice of surroundings, being found in trees in clearings or in the 

 forest, sometimes only a few feet from the ground, and again in the 

 high trees. 



