Birds. 



6661 



Ann's, on Greenock estate, during the middle of April, I met with 

 them in considerable abundance. Though they gave me the oppor- 

 tunity of a pretty close examination, I was unfortunately unable at 

 the time to shoot one. The colours then seemed brighter, and the 

 yellow on the breast especially more decided. I expected to meet 

 with them at Freeman's Hall (here), only ten or twelve miles west- 

 ward on the same ridge ; but, to my disappointment aud surprise, I 

 could not fall in with them. I have in my own mind no doubt as to 

 the reality of this distinct species. 



" Towards the end of last year, whilst riding through the lower 

 mountains, a perfectly black bird alighted on a wild pine growing at 

 some height in a vertical position ; and as I watched it I observed it 

 climb about the stiff leaves with great agility, and eagerly search 

 their sheathing bases. Your surmise as to the black banana bird 

 instantly occurred to me. I did not then procure it, but the negroes 

 assured me they were abundant higher up, and the investigation was 

 one of the chief objects I proposed to myself on coming here. I did 

 not find them very common, and procured only four specimens during 

 the first six weeks of the year. They are to be met with especially 

 in those deep damp hollows which the forest growth seems striving to 

 conceal, and where orchideous parasites and wild pines luxuriate in 

 abundance. It may there be seen climbing among them, as mentioned 

 above, or flying from tree to tree in short flights ; or, if not visible, its 

 very peculiar call is audible far over head. I would imitate it by 

 * kep-chur-r-r-r,' the first a loud, clear note, followed by a rattle 

 reproduced with sufficient exactness by a long, rough 6 r.' The 

 whole bird is coloured black, and that of the plumage has the purplish 

 gloss of our Quiscalus. The hind toe seems rather more developed 

 than with Icterus leucopteryx ; and it has, I think, a corresponding 

 increase of climbing power, oftener assuming the vertical attitude. 

 One I shot hung head downwards for some time, exactly as the com- 

 mon banana bird will do. Another very marked distinction is, that 

 the culmen, or upper ridge of the bill, is flattened and broad, dividing 

 the frontal feathers like a plate, but does not expand. The following 

 are the dimensions of two specimens ; the second was a female, and 

 the first, I believe, a male, though the part was much injured : — 

 Length 8 J. Exp. 13. Bex* if. Tail 2J. Rictus 1. Tarsus 1. Mid. toe |. 

 7^-. „ J 2. „ 4. „ 2\. „ 1. „ 1. |. 



Hallux |, not therefore so long as the tarsus. Intestine 8. The 

 stomachs of all four contained fragments of insects, Coleoptera 

 chiefly; I found no traces of seeds. On the 11th of February the 



