::::::::^f NEAR THE TWIN VOLCANOS m::::;;::: 



Motmots are not shy, but will permit one to approach 

 quite closely before taking a short flight to a neigh- 

 bouring tree or bush. Just before they fly they usually 

 give utterance to a low chuck ! chuck ! — evidently an 

 alarm-note. This was the common sound uttered by 

 my tame bird when I attempted to catch it. What 

 betrays a Motmot more surely than its colours or even 

 its voice is the curious pendulum motion of its tail — 

 from side to side, and, more rarely, up and down. 

 When the bird blends so perfectly with its surround- 

 ings that the eye fails to locate it, the horizontal swing 

 of its tail marks it out. This is not a true pendulum 

 motion, as the tail snaps to the highest point, and is 

 held there for a moment before being jerked to the 

 opposite side. 



Although the feet of the Motmot are weak and 

 adapted only for perching and its usual method of feed- 

 ing is to catch insects upon the wing, yet more than 

 once, while watching these birds, I saw them fly to 

 the ground and scratch awkwardly, picking up food 

 after each disturbance of the leaves. There was still 

 another habit which I should dismiss as an individual 

 freak, except for the fact that it was observed in three 

 different birds. These particular Motmots were not 

 aware of my presence, and after feeding for a time, 

 they flew to an open sunny spot, flung themselves flat 

 upon their backs and, spreading their wings, enjoyed 

 a sun bath. The only other bird which I ever knew thus 



04 203 ^ 



