THE ROOSEVELT EXPEDITION 201 



grassy fields, and cultivated plots. Birds were plentiful, 

 and as practically all of them were new to us, work in this 

 region was doubly interesting. We here formed our first 

 intimate acquaintance with the white ani (Guira), member 

 of a subfamily of cuckoos, large flocks of which sat like 

 rows of beads on the fronds of palm-trees. They are 

 slender birds, about fifteen inches long, and are striped 

 with brown, black, and white; a row of long, narrow feathers 

 forms a high crest. They remained soberly on their perches, 

 awkwardly jerked their tails from side to side, ^nd mewed 

 dolefully. The birds seemed utterly out of place among 

 the vivacious tanagers, creepers, and finches, and seemed 

 to belong more properly to some remote and imrecorded 

 past. Their flight is slow and uncertain, the birds flapping 

 their wings and sailing alternately; when alighting they 

 strike a most ludicrous pose and barely avert falling over 

 frontward before finally securing their balance. The long 

 tail helps the bird to keep its equilibrium, although adding 

 to the awkwardness of its appearance. The bird always 

 gives one the impression of being exceedingly miserable, 

 and particularly so during cold, rainy weather. Then all 

 the members of the flock will crowd close together for 

 warmth and protection, often placing their wings over one 

 another in an affectionate manner, and even standing per- 

 haps on the backs of their companions. On account of its 

 scanty covering of feathers, Guira guira is not well suited to 

 resist cold weather. When the breeding-season arrives a 

 huge nest is built in a cactus or low bush, usually at no 

 great height from the ground; but the mass of sticks is not 

 conspicuous, despite its bulky size. Occasionally a number 

 of birds occupy the same nest, when many eggs are laid; 

 the adults keep up a constant wailing and shrieking if their 

 domicile is approached. 



The eggs are among the most beautiful laid by any bird. 

 They are elliptical in form and of a deep turquoise color, 

 covered with a lace-work deposit of calcareous material. 

 ^s incub^ition. advances the sh^ll becomes stained and the 



