1909] Beebe: Birds of Northeastern Venezuela. 97 



Elaenia martinica flavogastra (Thun,). Southern Yellow- 

 bellied Elania. 



On April 11th a pair of these flycatchers were preparing to 

 nest in a tree at the edge of the pitch lake. They seldom left 

 the vicinity of their nest site, except to descend to the low shrub- 

 by growth, from the topmost twigs of which they watched for 

 passing insects, or occasionally to fly to the ground to snatch up 

 some prey. Their call-note was a single hoarse cry. Their food 

 consisted chiefly of small termites. 



Myiozetetes cayanensis cayanensis (Linn.). Cayenne Fly- 

 catcher. 



These birds were fairly common, nesting at intervals along 

 the Rio Guarapiche above Caiio Colorado. The nests were built 

 out over the water. A typical one found on March 31st, was 

 placed on the stem of a prickly palm, leaning outward from the 

 bank. It was a rough bundle of moss and plant down, covered 

 over, with the entrance in one side, and contained half-fledged 

 young. One could touch the nest only with the greatest diffi- 

 culty, owing to the thorns on the stem and fronds of the palm, 

 and it was perfectly protected from any terrestrial enemy. 



Pitangus sulphuratus trinitatis Hellm. Trinidad Kiskadee 



FLYCATCHER. 



These birds were nesting and exceedingly tame in the clear- 

 ing about the Indian houses at Caiio Colorado and also at Guan- 

 oco and for a mile along the track toward La Brea. Their loud- 

 voiced, harsh cries awoke us every morning during our stay at 

 Guanoco. 



Myiodynastes maculatus maculatus (Miill.). Streaked 

 Flycatcher. 



Streaked flycatchers were not uncommon about Guanoco and 

 at the edge of the forest along the railroad track toward La 

 Brea. Their call-note was a hoarse, croaking cry, and when 

 alarmed they gave utterance to loud screaming notes. When ap- 

 proached quietly they showed little fear, often keeping their 

 perch until one was within eight or ten feet. Ants, grasshop- 

 pers and small fleshy fruits composed the food of those which I 

 examined. 



There is such a remarkable external difference between two 

 mated birds which I secured that it seems worth while to put 

 it on record. Examination of a series of skins shows, how- 

 ever, that this variation is probably individual and not sexual. 



