1883.] MR. A. BOUCAUD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. -45'J 



164. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn.) ; Lawr. I. c. p. 207. 



This bird abounds in all parts of Yucatan. In the dry season 

 thousands of them congregate in the vicinity of an aguada to 

 drink. From ten o'clock until four they line the shore and are 

 very tame ; at other seasons they are more solitary, and often very 

 shy. 



165. Cham.epelia rufipennis, Bp. ; Lawr. I. c. p. 207. 



This little Dove abounds in all parts, is quite tame, and often be- 

 comes half domesticated. 



166. Leptoptila albifrons, Bp. 



Leptoptila fulviveiiti-is, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sc. ii. p. 287. 



This bird is found in all parts of the State, and is generally quite 

 shy. Though often seen searching for its food in the roads, it is 

 more properly an inhabitant of the more lonelj' forests, where its 

 cooing may be heard all day long in its own peculiar half sad, half 

 cheerful tone. Its nest is built upon an inclined or falling branch of a 

 tree, and is composed of a few small sticks to prevent the two small 

 white eggs from falling to the ground. This bird is much prized 

 for its flesh among the better sportsmen of Yucatan. 



These Yucatan birds have the rufous tint of the underparts slightly 

 darker than is usual in Guatemalan examples ; but the diflference is 

 too slight to be considered of specific value. 



167. Crax globicera, Linn. 



A very shy bird, living far in the interior of uninhabited forests. Its 

 walk is cautious and almost noiseless ; it is generally found in pairs, 

 though the males often travel alone. It spends most of its time upon the 

 ground, where it finds its food by scratching among the leaves. In the 

 morning and evening it mounts upon the trees which bear its favourite 

 fruit, to feast upon the best fruits of the forest. It ascends not by 

 a single flight, but by shorts flights from limb to limb, until it reaches 

 the fruit. While there it makes no noise ; but at every moment it 

 listens for the approach of an enemy, which once discovered, it utters 

 a short impatient clnck and flies away to a very great distance. 

 The song resembles the deep distant bass roaring of the Tiger, or 

 the gentle blowing in the bunghole of a barrel. The flesh of this 

 bird is highly valued as food ; but the bones are always carefully 

 kept away from the dogs and cats, as they are said to be very poison- 

 ous. It is sometimes domesticated, though it rarely lives beyond a 

 few months. 



168. Penelope purpurascens, Wagl. 



The " Cojolito" (in Maya, " Kosh") is abundant only in certain 

 localities. I know of but one forest in Yucatan (Yak-Jonat) where this 

 bird is found ; but in this forest I think I have seen 800 or more. 

 It is very shy, lives mostly upon the trees, where it feeds upon 



