18S3.] MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. 455 



bee-raiser, as its food consists exclusively of these insects. Station- 

 ing itself in the vicinity of the hives, or frequenting the trees to 

 which the bees resort to seek for honey, it is ever busy collecting 

 them. It is rather inactive and clumsy, scarcely appearing at ease 

 in any position. Its song is neither beautiful, nor varied, nor often 

 repeated. 



129. Dromococcyx phasianellus (Spix). 



Only one specimen of this bird was seen by me in Yucatan ; 

 and as it has no name, neither in Maya nor in Spanish, I conclude 

 it is seldom found in this State. 



130. Rhamphastos carinatus (Swains.). 



Said to be very common in all parts of the State, though I have 

 not found this to be the case. Only six specimens have been 

 observed by me during the year. It is also said to go in immense 

 flocks, but I have only seen sohtary individuals. It lives upon fruits, 

 and is found in the forests, rarely in the settlements, and never in 

 the towns. 



[In Dr. Cabot's collection.— O. S.'] 



131. Pteroglossus torquatus (Gm.). 



Common in most parts of the State. Lives in flocks in the forests, 

 rarely seen near the ranches, and never in the towns. Lives upon 

 fruit, of which it is very fond and eats a great deal. It generally 

 takes its food three times a day — at 7 a.m., and at 2 and 5 p.m. ; at 

 these hours it is easily shot, as it is not very wild when eating. 



132. CoNURUS AZTEC, Souauce ; Lawr. I. c. p. 207. 



This bird abounds in all parts of Yucatan ; but the largest flocks 

 were met with in Western Yucatan, where 400 or 800 were seen in 

 a single flock. In November and December they were feeding upon 

 the seeds of a plant which grows very abundantly in that part of 

 this State. The sharp piercing cry of these birds is almost deafen- 

 ing when in large flocks. 



133. Chrysotis ai.bifrons (Sparrm.) ; Lawr. I. c. p. 207. 

 This bird abounds in every part of Yucatan, rarely entering the 



villages, though common near the ranchos, and frequently seen in 

 immense flocks in the wild- orange groves, where it spends much of 

 its time eating the fruit of this tree. This bird is found domesti- 

 cated in almost every house, and learns to speak quite readily. 

 [In Dr. Cabot's collection.— O. S.'] 



134. Chrysotis xantholora, G. R. Gray; Salv. Ibis, 1874, 

 p. 327. 



This bird seems to be very rare. Only three specimens were 

 sent by Gaumer, who made no special reinaiks on them, probably 

 believing that they were the same as G. albifrons. 



[In Dr. Cabot's collection.— O. S.'] 



