446 Mr. C. P. Underwood on the Birds 



there. But, on the other hand, in Bagaces these Parrots are 

 extremely abundant, and regularly make the town their head- 

 quarters ; in fact the traveller arriving there a little before 

 sunset is often deafened by their noise, and on his first visit 

 is amazed at the strange scene. From all sides arrive innu- 

 merable bands and solitary pairs of "Loros" (the Spanish 

 name), which remain for about an hour squabbling and 

 fighting, constantly changing their perches before going to 

 roost in the low trees in the immediate vicinity of the houses. 

 *' Supas " (Macaws) also make the town their roosting- 

 quarters. At daybreak there is a repetition of the noise ; 

 they then go ofi" to their various feeding-grounds. 



The natives here appreciate a good talking Loro as a pet 

 as much as Europeans do. The young are eagerly sought 

 after, and the birds, when they begin to talk, which is 

 generally at about a year old, sell for fairly good prices. 

 This species seems to be by far the most easily taught, 



Falconid.e. 



Falco sparverius, Linn. 



The Hawks do not appear so abundant in the high as in 

 the lowlands, although there are few localities where this 

 species at least is not found abundantly. It is the com- 

 monest species here. 



-POLYBORUS CHERIWAY (Jacq,), 



Several seen on the savannas, feeding, I should judge, on 

 worms and insects ; also observed in company of Cathartes 

 atratus in the vicinity of carcasses of horses or oxen. 



J Spizabtus ornatus (Daud.). 



One or two specimens procured ; one disturbed in his 

 repast off a squirrel, which, however, he took away Avith him 

 in his flight, 



CATHARTIDiE. 



_ Gypagus PAPA (Linn.) . 



Several seen. Called " Rey de los Zopilotes'" (King 

 Vulture) . 



