OCR Text |
Show 446 MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [June 19, of maggots may be extracted from a single sore. In the intolerable laziness and neglect of these people to attend to wounded animals, it seems as if God had sent this bird as a merciful surgeon to clean the foul ulcers of poor helpless brutes. Females were abundant at Chable iu November. 64. AGEL^EUS PHO3NICEUS (Wagl.). Abundant on the coast, where it lives in the salt-marshes. Its habits are well known. 65. STURNELLA LUDOVICIANA (L.). Common on the savanas of Rio Lagartos, but not seen elsewhere. 66. LAMPROPSAR DIVES, Cab. Native name " Pich" (pronounced "peach"). This is the commonest of all Yucatan birds, being very abundant in all the towns, as well as in the forests. I have seen this bird walking about in the busiest streets of Merida, apparently without fear, and it often enters houses in search of food. 67. QuiSCALUS MACRURUS, Sw. Native name "Sacoa." This bird is most common herefrom January to May. I did not see one in July and August, nor in September, and up to the present time, Oct. 15th, the bird has not made its appearance. It does not go in flocks; rarely more than five or six are seen at a time : it apparently sings with very great effort. The female is considered by the natives another species and is called "Socao," instead of " Sacoa." 68. CYANOCITTA YUCATANICA (Dubois). Cyanocitta crassirostris, Lawr. I. c. p. 201. Native name " Chel." This bird is abundant in all parts of the country, and is often very destructive to the corn-fields and to certain kinds of fruit. It is rather shy, though sometimes seen in the villages. In the country it travels in flocks of from twenty to one hundred. On being approached these birds set up a loud cry, each chattering and squawking as if disputing the right of the invader; and while one or two of the largest, who are perched upon some high object, greet him in a most offended manner, the remainder stealthily fly away ; when all are gone, these suddenly give a few laugh-like notes, and quickly follow. When young this bird is pure white, and gradually changes to its adult plumage. [In Dr. Cabot's collection.-0. S.] 69. CYANOCITTA MELANOCYANEA (Hartl.). Only one specimen of this fine species, killed in the forests near Merida. [No specimen sent to me. I have never seen this species in the low lands of Guatemala.-O. Si] |