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Show 1883.] MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. 461 171. ORTYX NIGROGULARIS, Cabot. Ortyx nigrogularis, Cabot, in Stevens's Trav. in Yucatan, i. App. p. 474 ; Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 151. Chable. Always seen in flocks or in pairs, sometimes in tbe darkest forests, but more usually in corn-fields. The flesh of this bird is delicious. [In Dr. Cabot's collection.-O. Si] 172. MELEAGRIS OCKLLATA, CUV. ; Cabot, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 73 ; Bost. Journ. N. H. iv. p. 24o". In Maya, "Kutz." The Spanish name of this bird is Pavo del Monte. It is occasionally seen within five leagues of Merida, but cannot be said to be common west of Espita. East of Espita it is often seen in the corn-fields in small flocks of from six to ten. I have recently discovered a locality, ten leagues to the north and east of Valladolid, where it may be said to be common. This is the region depopulated since the emigration of the Indians nearly half a century ago ; no one lives there now, and the Meleagris is the proud ruler of the forest. It is one of the wildest and shiest of birds, extremely cautious in its movements, and ever on the alert for a hidden enemy ; it flies with the greatest rapidity at the sight of man, regardless of distance. When met with in open land it takes flight, rising with a heavy flutter peculiar to the family, and after mounting a few yards sails away with set wings to such a distance that the hunter never cares to follow. During the breeding-season, which is in May and June, the male makes a peculiar drumming noise, very deep and sonorous; after this he utters his peculiar song, which resembles the rapid pecking of a distant Woodpecker or the song of the great Bull Toad. On discovering a dreaded object, he utters a peculiar cluck and glides away with a proud movement, which seems to defy the world; and if the object moves, he darts away with headlong speed. The natives believe that this bird sees the image of its enemies in its plumage even before they are visible to the eye of the bird. However this may be, it is a bird of extraordinary caution and vision. Its flesh is held in the highest esteem by the natives, who hunt it unceasingly on this account. In Merida a specimen sells from $1 to $2 dressed ; and from $8 to $1 when alive. It is not easily domesticated, and rarely lives more than a few months. Mr. J. Gaumer has sent me a very fine series of this species, both sexes, in all sorts of plumage, At m y request he also sent me some fresh eggs, which I gave to a hen for hatching, but the result was nil. I strongly recommended him to procure birds alive and bring them to Europe, but he has not been able to do so. [In Dr. Cabot's collection.-0. S.] 173. GRUS FRATERCULUS, Cass. Only one seen in Yucatan. This specimen was shot at an aguada near Tizimin in March. [Not seen by me.-0. S.] PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1883, No. XXXI. 31 |