120 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



Crotophaga (Tick-eater) is no misnomer, as has been asserted by some who never saw the hving bird ; 

 ahnost every one in Jamaica is aware that the Savanna Blackbird feeds on the parasites of cattle. 

 Stationary insects are, however, by no means the only prey of the Crotophaga. In December I have 

 seen little groups of them engaged in the evenings leaping up from the pasture about a yard into the 

 air, after flying insects, which they seemed to catch. Upon one occasion I saw that one of these 

 birds had actually made prey of one of our little nimble lizards (Anolis). Though its usual mode of 

 progression on the ground is by hopping, or rather bounding, the feet being lifted together, this 

 lilackbird is seen to run in a headlong manner for a short distance, moving the feet alternately. He 





THE ANI, OR SAVANNA BLACKBIRD {Crotopallga ani). 



13 fond of basking in the morning sun, or in a low tree, with the wings expanded, remaining perfectly 

 still for a considerable time. In the heat of the day, in July and August, many may be seen in the 

 lowland plains, sitting on the fences and logwood hedges, with their beaks wide open, as if gasping for 

 air ; at these times they forget their usual loquacity and wariness. Often two or three will perch in 

 the centre of a thick bush overhung with a matted drapery of convolvulus, whence they utter their 

 singular cry, in a calling tone, as if they were playing at hide-and-seek, and requesting their fellows 

 to come and find them. The statement that this Blackbird builds in company, forming an immense 

 nest of basket-work by the united labours of the flock, is universally maintained by the inhabitants of 

 the colony. This nest is said to be usually placed in a high tree, where many parents bring forth and 

 educate a common family. Mr. Hill, whose statements on Jamaican ornithology are worthy of 

 unlimited confidence, observes, ' Some half-dozen of them together build but one nest, which is large 

 and capacious enough for them to resort to in common and rear their young together. They are 



