1883.] MR. A. BOUCAKD ON BIROS FROM YUCATAN. 461 



171. Ortvx nigrogularis, Cabot. 



Ortxjx nigrogularis, Cabot, in Stevens's Trav. hi Yucatan, i. App. 

 p. 474 ; Tr. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 1.51. 



Chable. Always seen in flocks or in pairs, sometimes in the darkest 

 forests, but more usually iu corn-fields. The fleah of this bird is 

 delicious. 



[In Dr. Cabot's collection.— O. S.'] 



1/2. Meleagris ockllata, Cuv. ; Cabot, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. 

 i. p, 7'i ; Bost. Journ. N. H. iv. p. 240. 



In Maya, "Kntz." 



The Spanish name of this bird is Pavo del Monte. It is occasionally 

 seen within five leagues of Merida, but cannot be said to be common 

 west of Espita. East of Espita it is often seen in the corn-fields in 

 small flocks of from six to ten. I have recently discovered a locality, 

 ten leagues to the north and east of Valladolid, where it may be 

 said to be common. This is the region depopulated since the emigra- 

 tion of the Indians nearly half a century ago ; no one lives there now, 

 and the Melea(/ris is the proud ruler of the forest. It is one of the 

 wildest and shiest of birds, extremely cautious in its movements, 

 and ever on the alert for a hidden enemy ; it flies with the greatest 

 rapidity at the sight of man, regardless of distance. When met with 

 in open land it takes flight, rising with a heavy flutter peculiar to 

 the family, and after mounting a few yards sails away with set 

 wings to such a dist.ince that the hunter never cares to follow. 

 During the breeding-season, which is in May and June, the male 

 makes a peculiar drumming noise, very deep and sonorous ; after 

 this he utters his peculiar song, which resembles the rapid pecking 

 of a distant Woodpecker or the song of the great Bull Toad. On 

 discovering a dreaded object, he utters a peculiar cluck and glides 

 away with a proud movement, which seems to defy the world; and 

 if the object moves, he darts away with headlong speed. The natives 

 believe that this bird sees the image of its enemies in its plumage 

 even before they are visible to the eye of the bird. However this 

 may be, it is a bird of extraordinary caution and vision. Its flesh is 

 held in the highest esteem by the natives, who hunt it unceasingly 

 on this account. In Merida a specimen sells from ^\ to Si2 dressed ; 

 and from S8 to $1 when alive. It is not easily domesticated, and 

 rarely lives more than a few months. 



Mr. J. Gaumer has sent me a very fine series of this species, 

 both sexes, in all sorts of plumage. At my request he also sent me 

 some fresh eggs, which I gave to a hen for hatching, but the result was 

 nil. I strongly recommended him to procure birds alive and bring 

 them to Europe, but he has not been able to do so. 



[In Dr. Cabot's collection. — 0. S.'] 



173. Grus fraterculus, Cass. 



Only one seen in Yucatan. This specimen was shot at an aguada 

 near Tizimin in March. 



[Not seen by me. — 0. >S'.] 

 rRoc. ZooL. Soc— 1883, No. XXXI. 31 



