214 BIRDS OF BRITISH GUIANA. 



of the upper wing-coverts have whitish edgings : primary-quills 

 and tail-feathers broadly barred with white ; throat, sides of face, 

 under tail-coverts, and basal portion of tail on the under surface 

 buffy-white ; hind-neck, mantle, fore-neck, and breast barred 

 with black, or brown and white, or buffy-white. 



Total length 485 mm., culmen 31, wing 381, tail 200, tarsus 94, 

 middle toe and claw 68. 



The male described was collected on the Abary River in 

 November 1900. 



The adult male and female appear to be very similar to each 

 other in the colour of the plumage. As regards the measurements, 

 there is much variation, as we have measured the wings of a 

 considerable number of each sex and find that the females measure 

 from 385 to 408 mm. and the males 368 to 395 mm. 



Breeding-season. Unknown in British Guiana. 



Nest. Unrecorded in British Guiana. 



Eggs. Undescribed from British Guiana. 



Range hi British Guiana. Upper Takutu Mountains, Abary 

 River {McConnell collection) ; Quitaro River [Broivn) ; George- 

 town (Beehe). 



Kxtralindtal Bange. Trinidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador. 



Ifahits. Schomburgk states (Reis. Guian. iii. p. 741) that this 

 bird is very common on the Savannas, but unknown in the virgin 

 forests near the coast. It is always found in large flocks running 

 about on the dried up bogs. If Vultures have been attracted by a 

 dead animal this species at once made an appearance and contested 

 the prize with the Vultures. He was of opinion, however, that 

 the principal food of this bird consisted of insects, molluscs, and 

 reptiles. Although he had met with many hundreds, he never 

 once saw a single individual chase a bird, but often saw a pair of 

 them rest on a termite hill. Schomburgk did not find its 

 nest. The " Paravilhanos '' call it Cara-carari, the " Macusis '' 

 Caracca, and the " Warraus " Tosorili. 



Mr. J. J. Quelch (Timehri (2) vi. p. 126) remarks that :— 

 " These birds are not met with on the coast, being confined to the 

 savannah and more open tracts of the interior. In their habits 

 they are the most vulturine of the group." 



Mr. Barrington Brown (Canoe and Camp Life, p. 167) gives the 

 following notes: — "As we came along in one place the Indians 

 set the dry savanna grass on fire, and as the low wall of flame 



