446 MR. A, BOTJCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [June 19, 



of maggots may be extracted from a single sore. In the intolerable 

 laziness and neglect of these people to attend to wounded animals, it 

 seems as if Grod had sent this bird as a merciful surgeon to clean the 

 foul ulcers of poor helpless brutes. Females were abundant at Chable 

 in November. 



64. Agel^us phceniceus (Wagl.). 



Abundant on the coast, where it lives in the salt-marshes. Its 

 habits are well known. 



65. Sturnella ludoviciana (L.). 



Common on the savanas of Rio Lagartos, but not seen elsewhere. 



66. Lampropsar dives, Cab. 



Native name " Pich " (pronounced " peach "). This is the 

 commonest of all Yucatan birds, being very abundant in all the towns, 

 as well as in the forests. I have seen this bird walking about in 

 the busiest streets of Merida, apparently without fear, and it often 

 enters houses in search of food. 



67. QUISCALUS macrurus, Sw. 



Native name " Sacoa." This bird is" most common herefrom 

 January to May. I did not see one in July and August, nor in 

 September, and up to the present time, Oct. 15th, the bird has not 

 made its appearance. It does not go in flocks ; rarely more than five or 

 six are seen at a time : it apparently sings with very great effort. 

 The female is considered by the natives another species and is 

 called '• Socao," instead of " Sacoa." 



68. Cyanocitta tucatanica (Dubois). 

 Cyanocitta crassirostris, Lawr. /. c. p. 201. 



Native name " Chel." This bird is abundant in all parts of the 

 country, and is often very destructive to the corn-fields and to 

 certain kinds of fruit. It is rather shy, though sometimes seen in 

 the villages. In the country it travels in flocks of from twenty to 

 one hundred. On being approached these birds set up a loud cry, each 

 chattering and squawking as if disputing the right of the invader ; and 

 while one or two of the largest, who are perched upon some high 

 object, greet him in a most offended manner, the remainder stealthily 

 fly away ; when all are gone, these suddenly give a few laugh-like 

 notes, and quickly follow. When young this bird is pure white, 

 and gradually changes to its adult plumage. 

 [In Dr. Cabot's collection.— 0. ^.] 



69. Cyanocitta melanocyanea (Hartl.). 



Only one specimen of this fine species, killed in the forests near 

 Merida. 



[No specimen sent to me. I have never seen this species in the 

 low lands of Guatemala. — O. /S.] 



