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Show 1883.] . A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. 453 which consists exclusively of a small Hymenopterous insect called tne vss. It is solitary, and lives in the deepest part of the forest. Ihe specimens obtained were very tame and were watched for some Z?.«rt JT8 I01 ; the*V JUmP nim% about the tre^ ^d are constantly catching the small insects which seem to be attracted to tnem by their odour. 118. MOMOTUS LESSONI, Lesson ; Lawr. I. c. p. 204. This bird is found in all parts of Yucatan, though it is not abundant anywhere. It lives in the forests, and is seldom seen in the towns or ranchos. It never enters wells nor caves, but breeds in the deserted dens of the Armadilloes and other burrowing animals. These subterranean burrows it cleans out with its own claws and bill, and constructs its nest at the bottom. The trimming of the two middle feathers of the tail is a work performed by the bird, and is not natural Its song is "moot-moot," uttered twice in rapid succession, and repeated at intervals of one minute. 119. EUMOMOTA SUPERCILIARIS (Sw.) ; Lawr. /. c. p. 204. Momotus yucatanensis, Cabot, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H i n l<Sfi . Bost. Journ. N. H. iv. p. 466. P' ' This bird is abundant in every part of the State. It lives in wells ™ ln, J e Peculjar.caves called " senotes." I have seen as many as 100 of these birds issue from a single senote, but more frequeiitlv one or two dozen is the limit. This bird abounds in the towns and all places where there are wells or caves ; and although a well is used every day it never deserts its home. Its cry is " Toh," uttered with a broad emphasis as " Tdhf hence its name in Maya. This word as uttered by the bird means in Maya " straight," and by the ancient Indians refers to the two long straight feathers of the tail. Its food is frogs and other small animals and insects, which it finds m its subterranean home. 120. CERYLE AMAZONA (Lath.). [Not sent to me.-O. Si] 121. CERYLE CABANISI (Tsch.). J 22. CERYLE SUPERCILIOSA (Linn.) ; Lawr. I. c. p. 204. Rio Lagartos, June 1879. This little Kingfisher was taken at the sulphur-springs of Rio Lagartos, the only place where it is known to live in Yucatan. As this is a favourite bathing-place for the people of all the interior towns, this little bird has a great celebrity throughout the State. It is very tame, so much so that I have seen it plunge into the water after a fish only a few yards from me while I was bathin°\ The owner of the springs does not allow these birds to be killed, and it was with difficulty that I obtained permission to shoot one or two. |
