62 
Mr. It. Owen on the Nesting 
on the nest of any other species. At the same time I may add 
that I have never seen it either building or occupied in any other 
domestic occupation whatever, which somewhat confirms the 
statement aforesaid. The eggs are found most commonly in the 
nests of the “ Chorcha” and the “ Cien-sonte mejicano,” and occa¬ 
sionally in that of the largest species of “ Chatillo ” ( Pitangus 
derbianus ). 
8. Icterus gularis. “Chorcha.” San Geronimo, June 8, 
1860. Hen bird and one egg. 
The egg is a pale grey, blotched and streaked with very dark 
brown. It measures, axis 1 in., diam. *7. 
Mr. Owen describes the method of taking the nests of these 
Icteri in the note attached to the next species. 
9. Icterus mentalis. ec Chorcha” San Geronimo, May 5, 
1860. Several birds 5 nests and eggs. 
The materials used by this bird for its nest—and doubtless 
the same applies to the foregoing species—vary considerably; 
the structure, however, is the same in all. It is a compact and 
firmly woven nest, attached at the top to the ends of a bough, 
its length varying from 1 to 2 feet. In some, the materials 
used are fine dried creepers and twigs, with here and there a 
leaf; in others, fibrous roots and the stringy centres of the 
Maguey leaves; while others are formed exclusively of a species 
of Tillandsia . All are spherical at the bottom, and have a long 
loophole at the top for the entrance. 
The eggs (Plate II. fig. 5) are like the last—a pale grey, spotted 
and streaked with very dark brown; on some there are marks of 
faint lilac. They measure, axis, 1*05 in., diam. *7. 
The “ Chorcha 55 generally nests in colonies of four or five; I 
have never found more together: but it not unfrequently 
selects a completely isolated spot for its graceful, pendent nest. 
The breeding-place is mostly chosen on the banks of rivers or 
upon some tributary stream, over which the nest swings securely 
in the breeze. At first I experienced some difficulty in taking 
these nests, as they hang from the extreme points of the boughs, 
and, being rarely less than 18 feet from the ground, are inac¬ 
cessible to the climber. The only way to obtain them is to 
