BIKDS OF NORTHERN VENEZUELA — WETMORE 181 



SO common in the Ensenada de Ociimare that they were constantly 

 in view from the house where I had my quarters. Birds in immature 

 and adult plumage were observed, Avith some of the adults in winter 

 and some in breeding dress. They seemed to roost on the rocky islet 

 called El Morro opposite the eastern headland of the bay, and it ap- 

 peared that there was a breeding colony there. One morning at dawn 

 two pelicans came flying out from this island past the house to begin 

 their fishing while it was still so dark that bats were circling over the 

 beach. 



It is unfortunate that the short time available and preoccupation 

 with other birds did not allow me to carry out my intention of col- 

 lecting specimens of this pelican, since there is some question as to 

 the form that occurs here. Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy * refers a 

 specimen from Cumand, Venezuela, to the northern race, P. o. caro- 

 linensis. Additional material should be examined to determine 

 definitely which form breeds in this area, as there is possibility that 

 the northern bird may reach Venezuela as a migrant or wanderer. 



Family SULIDAE 



SULA LEUCOGASTER LEUCOGASTER (Boddaert): Brown Booby 



Pelecanus Leucogasier Boddaert, Table des planches enlumin^ez, 1783, p. 57 

 (Cayenne) . 



From October 23 to 31 a single bird was seen at intervals fishing 

 with the brown pelicans in the Ensenada de Ocumare. 



Family FREGATIDAE 



FREGATA MAGNIFICENS ROTHSCHILDI Mathews: Caribbean Man-o'-war-bird 



Fregata minor rothschildi Mathews, The birds of Australia, vol. 4, 1915, p. 280 

 (Aruba Island). 



In the Ensenada de Ocumare the man-o'-war-bird was as common 

 as the brown pelican, so that it was seen daily from October 22 to 31. 

 The birds roosted on the rocky islet of El Morro opposite the eastern 

 headland bounding the bay and very probably nested there. On 

 October 31 I saw one flying with the throat pouch enlarged, bright 

 red in color, and evidently in mating stage. 



When schools of small fishes broke at the surface before the drive 

 of submarine predators I saw the man-o'-war-birds sweeping down 

 repeatedly to snatch at them wdth their biUs, darting their heads 

 into the crests of the waves as, supported by their broad wings, they 

 poised or rose and fell. On other occasions they were observed 

 pursuing royal terns cariying fish, in their common parasitic role of 

 robber. 



t Oceanic birds of South America, vol. 2, 1936, p. 



