94 CRUISE OF THE BARRERA 



species is known to the inhabitants as "robin 

 redbreast." 



We also encountered here — as almost every- 

 where in the sierras — the Cuban lizard-cuckoo, 

 generally called by the natives the arriero, on 

 account of his note so closely approximating the 

 call of the plowman to his oxen — "cklk-o-o-o-o." 

 This lizard-cuckoo (Saurothera merlini Orb.) is a 

 rather large individual, about twenty inches in 

 length, of which the long, broad tail makes up 

 three-fifths of the entire length, while the bill 

 adds almost two inches at the other end. He is a 

 veritable clown, of curious, inquiring turn of mind 

 and extremely amusing in his antics. He can 

 readily be called by repeating his note. He comes 

 very near, but always insists on keeping some 

 branches between or at least he remains in the 

 shade, thus rendering photographing difficult. 

 Having responded to your call he will inspect you 

 carefully, moving his tail side-wise, to almost right 

 angles with the body or cocking it upward like a 

 wren. He may then sneak away slyly, almost 

 like a shadow, or he may spread his wings and 

 tumble over himself, chattering away as if he had 

 discovered the most amusing thing in the world 



