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[[circled]]51[[/circled]]
Group gradually works its way up hill. Then very mixed vegetation, including all sorts of scrub (except alpine) and mature trees. All birds apparently ranging thru approximately same elevations above ground as earlier. Incidentally, the group as a whole has been noisy throughout - many other species uttering a variety of vocalizations in addition to the Whitestarts, Laf , and Cy.
As group gets further away, I see that Yellow-bellies and Whitestarts are lagging behind. Now bringing up the rear guard. And now there [[underline]]does[[/underline]] seem to be a particularly close association between these two species. Each repeatedly joins and follows the other!
Group finally disappears.
I wonder why there are no GT's here??? The environment seems ideal for them. Perhaps GT's don't reach such high elevations except in places like Munchique, where area of high elevation is very limited.
Leaving 11:45 am.
COMMENTS:
I. I think we may assume that PL Atlapetes is more or less strictly confined to areas of extreme humidity at high elevations. Unlike PR, which seems to occur in both extremely and moderately humid environments at similar elevations. The presence of Yellow-bellies may also be an indication of extreme humidity. This may help me to interpret conditions in other areas.
(Note. The Firebelly may be largely confined to situations of only moderate humidity in the northern Andes - but this is not necessarily true in the southern Andes.)
II. It would appear that mixed flocks are really [[underline]] very [[/underline]] comm