62 



BIRDS OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA PART 4 



alarmed near the ground they move into higher branches with much 

 fluttering of wings, resorting to flight only for distances of a few feet. 



When not disturbed the little parties may appear in small open areas 

 on dry ground beneath thickets or low trees, where they dust in loose 

 soil. Often, as one fluttered thus, a companion stood over it, apparently 

 pecking at small parasites that appeared among the feathers of the 

 crown. They may also be seen creeping into small openings among the 

 exposed roots of fallen trees, such activities accounting for the soiled 

 appearance often noted in the white feather areas. Less often, a small 

 flock of as many as half a dozen flies across open trails, or between ex- 

 panses of open pasture, moving quickly with rapidly tilting flight. At 

 rest in branches they sometimes crowd closely against their companions. 

 Where not disturbed, they rest on open perches, uttering their croaking 

 calls, with fluttering wings and rapidly vibrating tails. 



In February, in the nesting season, I have seen groups of 3 flying 

 openly among the top branches of tall trees in pursuit of one another, 

 often crowding together, apparently in a form of territorial display. 



The nest and eggs are not known. 



CAMPYLORHYNCUS ALBOBRUNNEUS ALBOBRUNNEUS 

 (Lawrence) 



Heleodytes albo-brunneus Lawrence, Ibis, Ser. 1, vol. 4, January 1862, p. 10. (Near 

 the line of the Panama Railroad, near the summit of the Atlantic slope.) 



Characters. — Tibia paler, varying from white to light grayish 

 brown; undertail coverts white, lightly spotted or barred with dull 

 brown; immature with crown less heavily marked; where streaking is 

 present, the lines averaging narrower, less distinct, and more grayish 

 brown. 



Measurements. — Males (10 from northern Code, Canal Zone, east- 

 ern Colon and Darien), wing 80.2-87.2 (83.4), tail 76.0-80.5 (78.3), 

 culmen from base 21.3-25.7 (23.6), tarsus 24.3-26.7 (25.4) mm. 



Females (10 from northern Code, eastern Colon, and Darien), wing 

 72.2-81.1 (78.0), tail 71.3-78.1 (75.6), culmen from base 21.1-24.3 

 (23.5), tarsus 24.3-26.3 (25.00) mm. 



Resident. On the Pacific side, in the central valleys of the Rio Bay- 

 ano, Rio Mamoni, and of the Rio Tuira (El Real, mouth of the Rio 

 Paya, and the old village site at the base of Cerro Tacarcuna) ; Cana; 

 Jaque; on the Caribbean slope from northern Code, and the Canal 

 Zone to eastern Colon. Although formerly recorded widely from the 

 Chagres Valley of the Canal Zone, in recent years it has been observed 



