1909] Beebe: Birds of Northeastern Venezuela. 73 



Ortalis ruficauda Jard. Red-tailed Chachalaca. 



We saw two specimens of this bird which were voluntarily 

 associating with some fowls in an Indian's clearing at Guanoco. 

 They had become accustomed to the sight of the people, and 

 came daily from the neighboring forest to feed with the hens. 

 Fig, 23. 



As throughout the southwest of the United States, Mexico 

 and Central America, so here it was firmly believed that cha- 

 chalacas occasionally cross with common fowls, the offspring 

 making fine game-cocks. Also as elsewhere no specimens of 

 such hybrids could be produced. 



Three other chachalacas were seen at a distance and the 

 wild nocturnal chorus of these birds was occasionally heard. 

 The natives call them "pavos del monte," monte in this and other 

 cases meaning, not mountain, but low forest. 



Order COLUMBIFORMES. 



Leptoptila verreauxi Bonap. Rusty Ground Pigeon. 



This was the only member of the Columbiformes which came 

 under our notice. On a mangrove branch overhanging the water 

 of Cano Guanoco a pair had built their frail nest and were incu- 

 bating two eggs. We discovered them on April 2nd. 



Order OPISTHOCOMIFORMES. 



Opisthocomus hoazin (Miill.). Hoatzin. 



Common in small flocks on the Guarapiche River. 

 For the notes made on this species see ZOOLOGICA No. 2, 

 pages 54 to 56. 



Order RALLIFORMES. 

 Aramides axillaris Lawr. Venezuelan Wood Rail. 



These handsome birds were occasionally seen on the mud 

 islets in the mangrove swamp, especially at the mouth of the 

 Rio Guarapiche. It was impossible to stalk them but if one sat 

 quietly in the curiara, they would soon appear, walking swiftly 

 and silently over the mud, jerking neck and tail in unison. The 

 flesh was strong and fishy as the food consisted chiefly of small 

 crabs. At night their sudden, unearthly cry would occasionally 

 ring out close to the sloop, to be taken up and answered by birds 

 farther and farther off until the notes died away in the distance. 

 It was a high, long-drawn-out yelping, the rhythm of which was 

 frequently broken by the notes of some neighboring bird. 



