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22

Rhamphocelus, Apr. 26, 1958, II  

mostly in flocks of at least 4 or 5 birds. Probably more than one family in each flock, so it is probably safe to say that the species is definitely more gregarious than the Sangre de Toro.

Their behavior is rather peculiar. In some ways like my captive bird, but also have other patterns which rather confuse me. Some of them really quite distinct and unlike any other tanagers I know.

Single birds utter CN's much like Sangre de Toros (the actual sound of the CN is slightly different - like my captive bird). So do birds in flocks, but their CN's are associated with other notes.

Most of their latter have a definite "Tss" (possibly even "Tsit") quality. Frequently, three of the Tss's are organized into a definite "Triplet" [[image]] I think.

Sometimes, the birds utter a more elaborate call. One note, quite emphatic at first, followed by a sort of Tss - Rattle. I.E. a long note or series of poorly differentiated notes. (I can't really describe it), with a sort of rattle undertone. Followed immediately by a perfectly ordinary nasal CN. (I think I shall call this whole elaborate vocal performance "[[phi symbol]]" for the time being.

I might add that these "Tss"-type notes and related calls are not particularly reminiscent of PCN's in sound.

I can't say much about the probable motivation of these sounds, but some things seem to be fairly clear.

The CN's would seem to be the lowest intensity calls, on the average, or, at least, some of them are probably lower intensity than any other calls. This is shown by the fact that isolated birds utter one or two CN's when they will utter nothing else. 

Transcription Notes:
added missing quotation marks Author writes as: Rhamphocelus [[image: sketch of "Triplet Tss's - __ -]] Ф phi