Jacamars 



577 



rounded wings with ten primaries, the first being much reduced, and normally 

 a tail of twelve feathers ; but in certain of the forms the outer one on each side 

 is either abnormally small or wholly absent. In one genus (Jacamaralcyori) 

 the hind toe is absent. In coloration of the plumage Jacamars are mainly a 

 coppery or golden green above, though a few forms are blackish or brownish. 

 They are described as being rather dull, stupid birds, frequenting especially 

 the borders of the forests, where they sit for hours on the limbs of the high 

 trees, only turning the head from side to side, or now and again launching 

 out after the manner of a Flycatcher, to secure some passing insect, yet in 

 speaking of the Red-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) as observed in Trini- 

 dad, Mr. Frank M. Chapman says: " These birds are by no means so stupid 

 as they have been said to be. They are the most expert flycatchers I have ever 

 seen, and this in spite of the fact 

 that the shape of the bill would 

 seem better to fit them for almost 

 any other mode of existence. Sitting 

 all drawn in on a dead limb, generally 

 near the ground, they may be com- 

 pared to a set spring. Their watch- 

 fulness permits no insect to pass in 

 safety. They maintain a constant 

 lookout, turning the head quickly 

 from side to side, above, or even 

 halfway round. The dart into the 

 air is made with wonderful celerity. 

 Sometimes it is straight up, again at 

 various angles, and they go as far as 

 thirty or thirty-five feet from their perch. As a rule they return to the same 

 perch after each sally, and may occupy this for many minutes." While resting 

 this species utters a " loud, clear, piping whistle, not unlike the call of a lost 

 duckling," which may be interrupted as the bird darts out after an insect, but 

 is renewed as soon as it again alights. Of the only species the Black- 

 cheeked Jacamar (G. melanogenid) observed along the Escondido River, 

 Nicaragua, Dr. Richmond says: " It has a piercing cry, resembling kee'u, with 

 the first syllable very shrill and strongly accented. The stomach of one 

 specimen shot contained insects. The bird jerks its tail after the fashion 

 of a Kingfisher." 



Very little appears to be definitely known regarding the nesting habits of 

 these birds, and some ten years ago Mr. Sclater, who has monographed the 

 family, acknowledged that he had never seen a Jacamar's egg. By some they 

 are said to dig a burrow in a bank like a Motmot, and lay two or three pure 

 white eggs, while others assert that they at least occasionally deposit the eggs 

 in a tree cavity. 



The twenty or more species of Jacamars are disposed among six genera, all 

 being confined to South America east of the Andes and Central America as far 



FIG. 171. Jacamar, Jacamerops aurea. 



