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Atlapetes, Oct. 6, 1960, II.         39

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It was difficult to get a clear view of the bird during this performance, but it did not seem to have the slightest trace of CR or any sort of throat-fluffing. Rather surprising.

After watching this bird a few seconds, I suddenly saw that there was another bird about 5 ft away from it. Also hopping about, and frequently assuming extreme St. Postures. But apparently silent throughout.

During all this hopping about, the two birds usually managed to stay facing one another, i.e. displaying their yellow throat patches to one another.

Then the second bird suddenly flew at the first, and there was a violent contact fight between the 2 birds, tumbling about in the air. Both remained absolutely silent throughout. No trace of R or HAC. Then both flew away and were lost to sight.

The fact that the bird who was attacked was the one who had been uttering ECN's might suggest that the ECN's are produced when escape is at least as strong as, or even stronger than, attack.

In any case, one of the birds was back in the same tangle after a few seconds, hopping about, assuming St Postures, and uttering ECN's, just like the first bird before the fight. But it soon flew away again, presumably because no other bird appeared.

Atlapetes, I 
October 17, 1960
Cerro Punta

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Both the day before yesterday and today I heard Atlapetes-type songs coming from a hedge near the great bend of the road. Today I finally managed to see the birds. They were chest-nut Capped Bush-finches. Both the day before yesterday and today, the bird(s) were singing when I arrived in the area, around 6:15 a m, and continued for about 15 minutes (dawn