1914] Crandall: Notes on Costa Rican Birds. 329 



diminutive marsh. The nest contained three eggs, creamy- 

 white, lightly blotched with pale brownish. On the following 

 day the female was flushed from the nest, which was found to 

 contain a single downy chick, the others perhaps having joined 

 the father. 



The young bird was clothed in thick black down, the feet 

 and tarsi being of the same color. The beak was pure white, 

 with a small black mark at each side of the lower mandible. 

 The iris was dark brown. 



A few days later, an adult bird was seen in a small patch 

 of brush. When pursued it attempted to hide under some 

 leaves and was caught by hand without difficulty. 



Asarcia variabilis (Linn.). Mexican Jacana. 



Not abundant about Guapiles, conditions there not being 

 suitable. A single specimen, in the white-breasted immature 

 plumage, was seen in a marshy pasture. It was not shy, and 

 flew up silently when disturbed. 



Ajaia ajaja (Linn,). Roseate Spoonbill. 



Although abundant along the Pacific side of Costa Rica, 

 this bird seems to be uncommon on the Carribean coast. A 

 single bird, not quite adult, was taken in a swamp about four 

 miles north of Guapiles. 



Sarcoramphus papa (Linn.). King Vulture. 



We had been led to believe that King Vultures were both 

 shy and rare in Costa Rica, but subsequent observations proved 

 this not to be the case. Soon after our arrival we noticed a 

 pair sailing overhead in company with a cloud of Black Vultures 

 (Catharista urubu brasiliensis) . A few days later, we came 

 across a dying calf, surrounded by a great number of the later 

 birds, not more than one hundred yards from our headquarters. 

 A bullet soon ended its misery. Next morning, the carcass was 

 untouched, although Black Vultures were in constant attend- 

 ance, and on the following day a King Vulture in dark plumage 

 was sitting on it. The bird took a leisurely flight when ap- 



