146 BROOKLYN INSTITUTE ML'SEL-M. SCIENCE BULLETIN 2. 6. 
writer secured a singjle example at Agua Salada de Ciudad Bolivar on 
the 1907 expedition. There is also in the American Museum collection a 
small series of specimens collected by Klages from Maripa, in the Caura 
River region. 
Heleodvtes NUCii.^Lis (Cabanis). 
Campylorliynchus nuchalis Cab., Orn. Not. in Arch. Naturg. XIII. 
1847. p. 206; Berlepsch & Hartert. p. 3. 
An abundant species along the middle Orinoco. Specimens 
were collected at Altagracia, Caicara and Quiribana de Caicara. It 
frec|uents similar localities to those where H. griscus is found and may 
be usually seen in pairs or family parties. 
In fresh specimens the colors are: eye straw yellow: feet slate 
grey ; bill above dusky, below pale flesh color. 
The nesting habits of this species are somewhat similar to those 
of H. griseus, and equally interesting. A nest containing four fresh 
eggs was found at Caicara, May 12, 1907 (No. 14,737 Cherrie Coll.). 
It was one of half a dozen irregular shapeless masses of fine soft root- 
lets, grasses, feathers and tufts of the soft silky down from fruits of the 
silk-cotton (balsamo) tree. Each of the nests, apparently masses of rub- 
bish, was provided with two or three entrances to as many chambers, or 
instead of opening into separate chambers they were in some cases 
entrances to tunnels through the nest mass ! Only one of the several 
nest masses, however, was in use as a nest proper. That contained 
four fresh eggs. To the nest cavity proper there was only one en- 
trance, but in addition there were in the same nest mass two tunnels 
running from side to side. At the time when the eggs were secured 
both parent birds were present and showed the greatest excitement. 
Their actions were most extraordinary, and instead of employing 
their time with cries of distress, or scolding the intruder, they im- 
mediately went to work, industriously carrying mouthfuls of soft 
feathers and balsamo from one nest mass to another, but not going 
near the real nest. However, when they realized that the enemy 
could not l3e deceived bv their artifice, they turned their attention to 
the nest mass containing the eggs, and worked with such a will, and 
with such good effect, packing the entrance with balsamo and soft 
feathers, even while I was engaged in cutting the branch that supported 
the nest, that by the time the nest was on the ground no entrance was 
visible. For a moment I was inclined to bclie\e I had made a mistake. 
