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Show 460 MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [June 19, fruit and flowers, as abo, in times of scarcity, of fruit upon leaves buds. On discovering a tree laden with its favourite fruit, it utters a loud yell, which is a signal for all the 'cojolitos' in the forest. In a moment, from every part of the forest come the yells of dozens of other individuals; and soon the tree is covered with these birds, and in a few minutes it is stripped of its fruit, and the cojolitos fly away to return no more. It has been m y fortune twice to be beneath the tree when these birds were feeding. The first time I counted 84 birds in one hour and a quarter. The second time 51 birds were in the tree, when I shot and brought down eight. The flesh is eaten, though it is much darker and more solid than that of the Kambool. [In Dr. Cabot's collection.-O. Si] 169. ORTALIS VETULA, Wagl. Ortalida maccalli, Lawr. I. c. p. 209. " Cha-cha-la-ca." This bird spends most of its time in the trees, where it lives upon the fruit, flowers, and tender leaves. Its neutral green plumage renders it very difficult to spy out the bird. When disturbed it jumps to the ground to ascertain the nature of its danger, gives one or two long leaps, and again mounts upon a limb, from which it quickly flies from one branch to another until it escapes in the distance. In the male the trachea is wonderfully prolonged beneath the skin of the breast and abdomen almost to the anus, whence it returns and enters the chest at the proper place. With this great trumpet-like instrument the bird makes a peculiar noise, which may be heard at a league's distance. The song is harsh and sonorous, and never produced alone; but after each part the female, with a finer shriller voice, repeats it in such rapid succession, that it seems like one bird doing the whole. The usual time of singing is in the morning and evening, but it frequently sings at other hours. [In Dr. Cabot's collection.- O. Si] 170. ODONTOPHORUS LINEOLATUS, Licht. This bird is common in all the eastern forests, where it is much esteemed for its fine flesh and as a household pet. As a pet it is not a success, living but a few months in confinement. Like the Quails, this bird lives upon the ground, where it is always seen in pairs. At nightfall it sings a very pretty song, beginning with a low whistle, which is three times repeated, each time with greater force ; then follow the syllables che-va-lieu-a repeated from three to six times in rapid succession. The tone is musical, half sad, half persuasive, beginning somewhat cheerful, and ending more coax-ingly. From its colour and its habit of remaining immovable while one is passing, this bird is somewhat difficult to see. I have frequently seen this bird squatting close to the ground while I passed within a few feet of it. It seldom flies, and never flies far when compelled to take whig. |
