42 



open spots and in the vicinity of dwellings, and feed on the bananas 

 and other fruits. He also accuses them of doing much harm in the 

 rice-fields. Schomburgk tells us that this is one of the commonest 

 birds all over British Guiana, and, as is the case vpith Calliste flavi- 

 ventris, particularly affects the Trumpet-tree (Cecrapia peltatd), 

 which blossoms the whole year through. The Macusis call it 

 ' Schumai.^ 



There are examples of this bird to be found in most Museums 

 that have collections of any extent. The skins of it that have come 

 under my examination are mostly from Cayenne, and are recog- 

 nizable at once by their peculiar preparation. I have, however, one 

 example from Trinidad, and have seen others. These are slightly 

 larger in their dimensions than the Cayenne bird, but do not other- 

 wise differ. 



M, Levraud's collection from Caraccas, which I have already 

 alluded to, contained examples of a Tanager, which I believe to have 

 been of this species, but I have had no opportunity of making an 

 accurate examination of it. 



A young bird of this species in my possession has all the colours 

 much more obscure and mixed with greenish, and hardly shows any 

 traces of the rufous head. 



