1893-] Allen and Chapman on Trinidad Mammals. 229 



29. Dicotyles. Two species of this genus have long been 

 recognized as inhabiting the island. One of the species was 

 common near the rest-house, but no specimens were secured. 



30. Cyclothurus didactylus (Linn.}. One adult female, 

 Princestown, March 18. Measurements : Total length, 490 mm. ; 

 head and body, 216 ; tail, 274 ; hind foot, 40. 



This small Ant-eater, according to popular report, is evidently 

 not uncommon in the forests, where its food is said to consist of 

 the white-ants or termites. Its vernacular name of " Poor-me- 

 one," meaning poor me alone, expresses exactly the sentiment 

 of the indescribably sweet, sad call which, heard only at night, is 

 generally ascribed to this species. This call was frequently heard 

 in the forests near the rest-house during moonlight nights, but 

 the caller was identified only by the negroes' descriptions. We 

 are now informed by Mr. Albert B. Carr, of Trinidad, at present 

 in New York, that the call so generally supposed to be uttered 

 by the ant-eater is in reality the note of a goatsucker, and that he 

 has shot the bird in the act of calling. 



The only specimen secured of this ant-eater was purchased 

 alive from some negroes. It was kept alive for several days. 

 During the day it slept holding on to a branch with the aid of 

 its strong fore-claws and prehensile tail. It moved only when 

 disturbed, and as soon as it was permitted relapsed into its 

 former stupor. Just after sunset it raised its head, and, like a 

 sleepy person, rubbed its eyes, using either the front or hind-foot 

 for this purpose. This effort seemed to weary it, for it again 

 rolled itself into a ball and slept. A few minutes later it re- 

 aroused itself, and after rubbing its eyes as before, raised itself on 

 its hind-legs and felt about in the air, uttering a low, whining 

 snuffle and evidently seeing nothing. As darkness increased it 

 seemed to become thoroughly awakened, and climbed slowly up 

 and down its perch, feeling vainly for some way by which to 

 leave it. It released its hold with its tail only when standing on 

 all four feet, and at the first step this member was coiled around 

 a branch as a safeguard in case of a misstep. The tail is so 

 muscular that its grasp could be released with difficulty, while it 

 was almost impossible to dislodge the hold of the long, curved 

 nails of the fore-feet. 



