1894
April 6
Trinidad, B.W.I.
Caura
  A clear, fine morning up to ten o'clock, after which
one shower succeeded another in quick succession
until near sunset.

  After the usual bath in the river and the
inevitable coffee and bread I went again to the
Pomerack Tree on the mountain side, this time alone.
The half-mile climb made me breathe hard and the
perspiration poured off my face in streams for the
trace has an even and exceedingly steep grade the
entire distance and I was in too great haste to
take it by easy stages. Hence when I reached the
tree I was obliged to sit down for several minutes
before I was in any condition to begin operations.
As I was resting and recovering breath a bird that
we have repeatedly heard from the house but have
not, up to this time, identified, began singing very
near me and after watching for a minute or two
I at length discovered it sitting high up in a tall
tree in the sunlight. After making perfectly sure
that it was the author of the sound I shot
it and found that it was a Basileuterus. Its
song which is one of the finest that I have heard
on Trinidad consists of a series of four or five clear
whistled notes given in a descending scale. It reminded
me of the song of our Tree Sparrow having the
same quality of wildness. It also suggested the
song of Swainson's Warbler. A ringing quality very
noticeable here is, Chapman thinks, due to local
conditions, such as the "sounding board" background of the
mountain side & the clear mountain air.