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Home , Fruit dove, Leyte, Pasonanca, Philippine trogon, Rufous hornbill, Samar

Vol.19480S'l J LXNTAND Sxo•r, of the 41

NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE PHILIPPINES

BY KENTON C. LINT AND KEN $TOTT• JR. THE following notes were obtained during military assignmentin the Philippinesin 1945 and 1946, while the observerswere on leave of absencefrom the San Diego ZoologicalSociety. The Field Artillery Battalion to which Lint was attached was stationed for the longest periodson the islandsof and , and the majority of his observations were made in those areas. The itinerary followed by the naval epidemiologyunit of which Stott was a member included most of the larger islandsof the archi- pelago. However, sincethe greater part of his Philippine sojourn was divided between the area around , Samar, and the Peninsula on , the majority of his notes were recorded in those two regions. Reproducedhere are only those notes which either supplementin someway or do not concurwith material publishedpreviously. The nomenclaturefollowed is that of Delacour and Mayr (Birds of the Philippines, Macmillan, 1946).

ARDEIDAE. Herons REEF HERON (Demigrettasacra).--Of the scoresof Reef Herons observed along the coasts of southern Samar during the months of June, July and August, 1945, all belongedto the white phasewith the exceptionof a pair of gray birds. Only one example of this was encountered during three months on the , Mindanao. It belongedto the gray phaseand was seenfeeding along the shore of the Sulu Sea near San Ram6n on October 26, 1945. CATTLEEORET (Bubulcus ibis coromandus).--Thisattractive little heron was found to be abundant throughout the lowlands of the ZamboangaPeninsula where it frequentedmarshy areasand followed free-ranging herds of domesticatedIndian buffaloes (Bubalus buba- Ils). A large nesting colony was discoveredin a marsh forest near San Roque, Mindanao, on August 23, 1945. The nests were con- structed in low spreadingtrees and were situated very closeto one another. Rtr•ovs NIGHTHERON ( Nycticoraxcaledonicus manillensis).--These birds sharedthe San Roque (Mindanao) rookerywith the preceding species. Nests of both specieswere situated in the same trees, and so near to eachother that broodingbirds couldeasily reach into adjoin- ing neststo steal their neighbors' and nestlings. 49. LmYasz) Srorr, Birds ofthe Philippines

BLaC< BITTERN(Dupetor f. fiavicollis).--AlthoughDelacour and Mayr ascribenocturnal and secretivehabits to this species,we en- counteredit regularly in the marshesand rice paddieseast of Zambo- anga, Mindanao. It wasalways to be observedsingly but it did not appearto beparticularly shy nor was it restrictedto nocturnalactivity. We often saw it and at all times of day as it stoodon the exposed ridgesbetween flooded rice paddy squares.

ANATIDAE, SPOTTEDWHISTLING (Dendrocygnaguttata).--An individual of this specieswas observedin the brackish marsh east of the Zambo- anga(Mindanao) airstrip on October29, 1945. Althoughthis species was not seen again, we found the LesserFulvous (Dendrocygnaarcuata) to be fairly commonin the marshesabout Zamboangathroughout the fall months.

ACCIPITRIDAE. Hawks CR•STmVLtzARv Hawx (Avicedajerdoni magnirostris).--Although Delacourand Mayr describethis as "rare andshy," wesaw three individualsin differentareas on Mindanaoduring the month of Octo- ber, 1945. The first of these was encounteredin a second-growth forest near Pulig, another at the demarcationline betweenthe Santa Maria marsh and the edge of the second-growthforest, and a third examplein a bare tree within half a mile of the centerof the city of Zamboanga. MONr,•V-mATINGEAGLm (Pithecophaga jefferyi).--An individual of this magnificentraptor was observedon September9, 1945. It flew directly over us as we were crossingthe jungle-borderedTumaga River about twdve milesinland from Zamboanga. We recognizedthe bird at once,having become previously well acquaintedwith the species througha living bird exhibitedby the San Diego ZoologicalSociety in 1938. Our guide, Pablo Santos,who had an excellentknowledge of the fauna of the area, reported that he had seenthe specieson numer- oustoccasionsas it flew over his homein the forestnear the Pasonanca Waterworks which lie approximatelya mile inside the openingof the Tumaga Canyon. PIEr HaRmmR (Circus melanoleucus).--Anindividual of this strikingly marked hawk was seen near , Leyte, in August, 1945, and another in a rice paddy near Mahnican, Mindanao, in Sep- tember, 1945. MARSHHARRIER (Circus aeruginosusspilonotus).--We watched a very bold individual of this harrier kill a Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia).The cockatoowas too terrified to fly and did not make a sound when struck. The occurrence was observed at the San Pablo Airstrip on Leyte, March 2, 1946.

RALLIDAE. Rails, Oallinules, etc. RUDDYCRAKE (Porzana fusca).--Single individuals of this rail were observedjust before sunseton two occasionsin the undergrowth dose to a vine-coveredoutcropping of lava near Ouiuan,Samar, June 7 (?) and August 2, 1945. On both occasionsthe bird eventually retreated to the crevicesin the lava in which it may have lived.

CIIARADRIIDAE.Plovers and Lapwings PACIFICOOLDEN PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica fulva).mThis migra- tory specieswas first observedon October 28, 1945, near Mercedes, Mindanao.

SCOLOPACIDAE.Curlews, Sandpipers,etc. WmMBREL(Numenius phaeopus variegatus).--This migratory cur- lew wasfirst observedon (Sulu Archipelago) on October21, 1945, at which time it was seenin large numbersalong the beachesand on sand spits in coastal marshes.

COLUMBIDAE.Doves and Pigeons AMETHYSTBROWN FRUIT DOVE (Phapitrerona. amethystina).-- This little dove was found to be moderately abundant in the dense second-growthforests east and north of Guiuan, Samar. It was seen only singly or in pairs. During the day it frequenteddense thickets from which it emergedonly in the early morninghours and late in the afternoon. Unlike the White-caredBrown Fruit Dove (P. leucotis), which we later observedon Mindanao, it was never seen to perch in large trees but seemed to prefer low-growing vegetation. Like most of the forest doves, it is a very rapid flier and impressesthe observer with its remarkable agility and maneuverability as it flies through the tangled undergrowth. BLACK-CItlNNEDFRUIT DOVE (Ptilinopus leclancherO.--Delacour and Mayr report this bird to be absentfrom Leyte. Two individuals were observedalong the Binalayan River southof Tanauan in a low- land forest area, on a trip to Lake Davao, January 3, 1946. Water surroundedthe trees in which they were resting, so we were unable to approach closelyenough to flush them. 44 L• •.NnS•ror'r, Birds of the Philippines •aUnk.

CUCULIDAE. Cuckoos VIOLETCuckoo (Chal½itesxanthorhynchus amethystinus) .--A single example of this rare cuckoo was encounteredin the forest on the crest of the lava plateau on southeasternSamar, August 2, 1945.

MEROPIDAE. Bee-eaters CHESTNUT-HEADEDBEE-EATER (Merops viridis americanus).--A flock of several hundred individuals was encounteredin an upland marshon Samar on August 1, 1945. The flock had departedby the following morning. We later saw several large flocks in freshwater marsh forests near Labuan and San Ram6n, Mindanao, on October 25, 1945. In each casethe marshesthey frequented supporteda growth of large trees about which the bee-eatersswarmed. This specieswas never encounteredin open areas nor closeto human habitation. GR•N-HEAD•D BEE-EATeR(Merops superciliosusphilippinus).-- This larger and lesscolorful bee-eater was observedalmost daily from August 15 until November 3, 1945, in the outskirts of the city of Zamboanga,Mindanao. It wasalways seen in the immediatevicinity of open, brackish marshes. Unlike the former species,which was not seen to utilize man-provided perches, the Green-headed Bee-eater often perched on fence wires and posts. During the day, they were usually encounteredas single individuals, in pairs, or in small, dis- persedflocks occupied with the task of capturing insectsin a manner similar to that of New World flycatchers. In the later afternoonthey would congregatein large flocksto fly over the marshesin what ap- peared to be recreationalflights rather than foraging expeditions. They would fly rapidly, followinga straight coursefor severalhundred feet, then wheel in an about-face and return over the same course. This activity might be repeatedseveral times beforethe partialpants would pause to rest on the power lines or fence wires. On November 1, 1945, a flock of several hundred birds was observed dusting in a well-travelledroad, unmindful of the passingtraffic. This species seemedto be totally indifferentto the proximity of human activity. CORACIIDAE. Rollers DOLLARBIRD (Eurystomuso. orientalis).--We encounteredthis roller in uplandareas, as did Areadonand Jewerr (Notes on Philippine Birds, The Auk, 63 (4): 545, 1946). It was commonon the cleared hillsidesat an elevation of approximately2000 feet above the city of Zamboanga,Mindanao. It was also encounteredin lowland areas under cultivation near San Ram6n, Mindanao, in the dense lowland forestsof the of ManicariA(off southernSamar), as well as in lowland second-growthforests of Samar, itself. Vol.1948 65'[J LINTAND SToTT, Birds of the Philippines 45

BUCI•ROTIDAI•. WRITHED-BILLEDHORNBILL (Aceros l. leucocephalus).--Contrary to the Delacour-Mayr statementsthat it is "solitary or lives in pairs," this specieswas encounteredin large flocksin the foothill and mountain forests of the Zamboanga Peninsula on several occasionsduring the fall months. It was never observed except in flocks and it proved to be by far the most abundant in the area, with the (Buceroshydrocorax mindanensis) in secondplace, and the Tarictic (Penelopidespanini a•nis) running a poor third. TAmcTm I-IoRNBXLL(Penelopides panini samarensis).--Themeat of this speciesis considereda special delicacy in the central Philippines. At a festival in Baybay, Leyte, on September 21, 1945, we saw the carcassesof four Tadcftc Hornbills which were being prepared for the holiday feast. The birds had been collectedin the mountains between Baybay and . RUFOUSHORNBILL or CALAO( hydrocorax semigaleatus).-- Delacour ascribesthis subspeciesto , Leyte, Samar, and Panaon. Two birds were observed in the mountains between and Burauen, Leyte, on October 2, 1945.

AEGITttINIDAE. Fairy Bluebirds PHILIPPINEFAIRY BLUEBIRD(Irena cyanogastermdanochlamys).-- Delacour and Mayr describethis speciesas being "rather uncommon and shy." In the lofty forestswhich borderthe Tumaga River above Zamboanga, Mindanao, we found it to be quite common and not particularly shy. It and the Philippine (Harpactesardens) were the most frequently encounteredand most easily 6bservedof the birds inhabiting the lower levels of the forest.

PYCNONOTIDAE. Bulbuls PHILIPPINEBULBUL (Microscells g. gularis).--Delacourand Mayr expressthe belief that this bird prefers high trees. The specieswas common in the second-growfhvegetation about Guiuan, Samar. High trees in the area were limited to coconutpalms (Cocosnucifera) in which this bird was never seen perching. However, it seemed perfectly content to sharethe lower vegetation with the Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotusgoiavier). WATTLEDBULBUL (Pycnonotus urostictus).--A pair of thesefriendly little birds nested in March, 1946, in a Casuarina tree in front of our barracks at San Roque, Leyte. The nest contained three speckled white eggs. The speciesseems to seek the protection of man's habita- tion. 46 ORR,Nesting Behavior ofPoor-will t[Auk Jan.

STI•NIDAE. Starlings LI•SSERGLossy STARLING(Aplonis minor).--A specimenof what was probably this specieswas collectedby Dr. W. P. Stewart on Sep- tember 23, 1945. It was one of several starlings in the crown of a coconut palm in a lowland •ea near Mercedes, Mindanao. Unfor- tunately, becausethe specimenwas baby mutilated it was not saved. However, becauseof its small size, the s•ong •olet iridescenceof its , and the lack of •eenish iridescence,it very probably be- longedto this species. It is regrettablethat the spedmen,reg•ess of its condition, was not saved, since specimenspreviously collected in the Philippines have come only from Mindanao's midmount•n zone (Delacourand Mayr). CoL•rO (Saropscalvus).•On Au•st 11, 1945,a nest was •scovered in a coconutpalm at the San PabloAks•ip, Leyte. The nestinghole was fifty feet from the •ound, and w• seveninches high, five inches wide, and drcffiar in shape. The nesting material consistedonly of coconutfibre. Two youngbkds werein the nest. Both were covered with dark pin feathersat about fo• weeks. The wattles were flesh colored. The young bkds grew nicely, and, accompaniedby their parents, left the nest on O•ober 5, 1945.

NECTARINIIDAE. Sunbkds Y•ow-•c• S• (Aethopygasiparaja •gni•a).•Dela- cour limits t•s spedesto , Ne•os, , Sibuyan and Tablas. For a period of three months (October-December,1945) we obse•ed this beaufif• sunbird in most of the second-growthareas s•rounding , Leyte. ZoologicalSodcry of San Diego San Diego, California

NESTING BEHAVIOR OF THE POOR-WILL

BY ROBERT T. ORR A CROATdeal of information remains to be gathered concerningthe behaviorof our North Americancaprimulgids, and few species,if any, have beenthe subjectof intensivestudy. The Poor-will (Phalaenopti- lus nuttallii) of western North America is one of those less known, although valuable contributionsrelating to its natural history have beenpublished from time to time, in recentyears notably by Elmer C. Aldrich (Condor, 37: 49-55, 1935). These have been admirably summedup by A. C. Bent (U.S. Nat. Mus. Bull. no. 176: 187-198,