20A. Brewster and Chapman ou Trinidad Birds. \\^ 



Our stay at Caparo was crowded with events, but the tune was 

 too short for us to make many observations sufficiently novel to 

 warrant publication in the pages of a scientific journal, and in this 

 connection we propose to speak of but three species, to the 

 published accounts of whose life-histories, thanks to Mr. Carr's 

 assistance, we think we can make some additions. They are the 

 Bell-bird or Campaiaero {ChasmorJtynchus varicgatiis), a Humming- 

 bird locally called 'Brin-blanc' {P/iaethornis gityi), and a large 

 Goatsucker {Nyctibins ja7naicensis) . 



To what extent the other three species of the genus deserve the 

 reputation sometimes given them we cannot say, but the voice of 

 Chasi?wrhynchus variegatus would undoubtedly prove a disappoint- 

 ment to those who expect a Bell-bird to be a Bell-bird in more 

 than name. But while its notes bear no resemblance to the " deep 

 tolling of a bell " they proved none the less singular, and we 

 class them among the most remarkable we have ever heard. 



To hear a Campaiiero is one thing, to see it quite another. 

 The birds haunt the tree-tops in the virgin forest, where, con- 

 cealed by the canopy of foliage and intervening parasitic plants 

 and creepers, they can be found even by practiced hunters only 

 under favorable conditions. Mr. Carr had prepared us for the 

 failure which attended our first Campanero hunt. Nevertheless, 

 we actually heard a Bell-bird calling, — sufficient encouragement, 

 if we had needed any, to continue the search. Our persistency, 

 however, was not tested. The following clay Mr. Brewster and 

 Mr. Carr discovered a Campaiiero within a mile of the house and 

 had an exceptional opportunity to study it. After following the 

 sound of the bird's voice for a quarter of a mile, they finally saw 

 it perched on a bare twig at the top of a tree about seventy-five 

 feet from the ground. After watching it there for about fifteen 

 minutes, during which time it uttered its several calls, it was dis- 

 turbed by two Toucans alighting near it and sought a perch in a 

 strong, clear light about twenty feet from the ground and not 

 over twenty yards from the observers. This, according to Mr. 

 Carr, was an unusual proceeding. It remained in this position 

 for about fifteen minutes, repeating all its notes. The following 

 day we all visited the place and the Bell-bird kept the tryst, 

 appearing on the high perch it had occupied the preceding day. 



