262 Clark, Birds of Margarita Island. \^^^ 



lookout for food, or sailing over the cocoanut groves. The stomachs of 

 almost all contained the remains of lizards. 



This bird appears to have in some way changed places with the preced- 

 ing. Although in 1895 Capt. Robinson found the Sparrow Hawk abun- 

 dant, he did not secure a single specimen of the Pearl Kite: while in the 

 past summer (1901) the Kite was almost abundant, and the other was 

 very rare. 



22. Megascops brasilianus {Ginel.). Brazilian Screech Owl. — 

 An immature owl of this species was brought to me bv a boy who lived 

 high up on the mountain side. 



23. Speotyto brachyptera Richmo>id. Short-winged Burrowing 

 Owl. — These owls were fairlj- common on the hot coast plain Avherever 

 the vegetation was scantier than usual. Near a large shallow lagoon, 

 where there was practically no plant life, there was a colony of them. 

 They are unsuspicious birds, and may be approached very closely before 

 taking wing. They fly but a short distance, alighting with a series of 

 bounds, as if their legs were supplied with springs. 



24. Glaucidium phalaenoides {Datid.). Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. — 

 Only one specimen was seciu'ed. 



25. Conurus aeruginosus {Li>iii.^. Rusty Parrakeet. — Very common 

 in the flat coast region, and also in the cassava fields on the mountain 

 sides. On the coast by Porlamar, where it was much more abundant than 

 anj'where else, its loud screeching could be heard on all sides as the flocks 

 flew about searching for food. When in the trees, however, they were 

 very quiet ; a whole flock would seem to disappear on alighting, every 

 member becoming instantly still, and, for a time, motionless ; but, on 

 being startled, the whole flock would screech louder than ever, and fly 

 swiftly away. 



While in Porlamar I noticed many flocks of these birds flying very high 

 in air over the town, toward the mainland. As none were seen to fly back 

 again, I judged it to be a migration. Possibly the birds resorted to the 

 island to breed, and were now leaving, as the breeding season was about 

 over. 



This bird is very popular as a pet, but not so much so as is the follow- 

 ing species. I saw one belonging to a friend in Trinidad which would 

 imitate any word or short sentence said to it, immediately, even copying 

 emphatic noddings of the head. 



All the wild parrakeets were in wretched plumage. 



26. Amazona amazonica (Z/;/;/.). Amazonian Parrot. — Occurs in 

 the forest in flocks of various sizes. It is a very noisy bird, but on the 

 approach of a hunter becomes quiet, until its limit of endurance is reached, 

 when it flies screeching off over the tree tops. It is a very popular cage 

 bird with the natives, who call it ' Loro ' from its cry. 



27. Crotophaga ani Linn. Ani. — Common in small companies, 

 rarely over a dozen or fourteen, in and about cocoanut groves, and in open 

 places. 



