JUNGLE LIFE AT AREMU. 315 



Creeping up to a low, thick patcli of brusli, a splendid scarlet 

 bird flew out and aliglitecl twenty yards away, again giving 

 utterance to its characteristic loud whistle. To-day I was 

 contented with listening and watcliing, but later I secured 

 the bird as I could not otherwise identify it. It was what I 

 have christened the Black-headed Scarlet Grosbeak,"^ differ- 

 ing from the description of this species in being SJ instead of 

 72 inches in length. It was scarlet below, dull red above, 

 with a scarlet necklace and a jet black head and throat. A 

 yellowish female showed herself for only a moment. The 

 whistle was loud and penetrating, but sweet in quality. The 

 first theme had three distinct phrases which may be repre- 

 sented thus: 



The second consisted of three scales, the first ascending one 

 being more abrupt than the succeeding ones, thus: 



When the first bird ceased, another took up the whistle as 

 long as I remained near the place. What splendid birds 

 these would be in an aviary, striking both in color and notes. 

 The nest, eggs and young, as is the case with so many South 

 American birds, are unknown. 



Goldbirds "^ were calling all through the woods, and 

 when one paid close attention, considerable variation was 

 apparent in their notes. One individual uttered the wliee! 

 wheel 0! twice in quick succession with the two introductory 

 phrases {vide page 189) only before the first call. This was 

 repeated three times and then the bird reverted to the usual 

 single utterance. On my way home two agoutis sprang up 

 before me and I secured one for the general mess. 



