24 Mr. E. Gibson on the Ornithology of 
I would note that P. tapera only nests, so far as I have ob- 
served, in the nests of the Oven-bird which are built on trees, 
eschewing those situated on posts or houses. It would be 
rather too much to have to climb up a score of thorny tala 
trees, and examine as many Oven-birds’ nests, on the mere 
chance of finding in one the eggs of the Swallow; but, for- 
tunately for the oologist, the latter birds resent the approach 
of any intruder in the neighbourhood of their domain, and by 
their angry screams and swift dashes generally afford him 
the necessary clue. Or, as sometimes happens, a stray fea- 
ther in the entrance intimates that the interior contains, not 
the despised eggs of the Oven-bird, but those of P. ¢apera or 
L. egithaloides—prizes both. 
P. tapera lines its lodgings with a pile of feathers formed 
intoanest. Grass, wool, and hair are sometimes added; but 
the feathers are the principal material, and the amount is 
usually sufficient to fill up the mterior of the Oven-bird’s 
nest. 
The eggs, so far as I know, never exceed five in number, 
are pure white, and average 36 x 23. 
28. PITANGUS BELLICOSUS. 
Called by the natives “‘ Bien-te-veo”’ (“‘ Well, I see you”’), 
from its cry resembling these words. 
Doubtless as well known as it is common. In the woods, 
swamps, gardens, or about the head station it is equally at 
home. In the morning, just at daybreak, the noise made is 
absolutely deafening, each one shouting its cry and screech- 
ing energetically, varying the emphasis on the syllables in a 
rather amusing fashion. At sundown the same thing is 
noticeable, the chorus being as general as im the morning, 
and also lasting but the usual half hour. While uttering the 
cry the feathers on the top of the head are erected, so as to 
form a very handsome crest of black and yellow; and the 
head at the same time is frantically jerked about in a way 
that would dislocate the neck of any respectable bird. All 
day long it is on the war-path, chasing or being cbased by 
its own kind, or persecuting all other birds, however much 
