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49

Rhamphocelus [[Ramphocelus]], Dec. 23, 1958, II    

to other tanagers. In spite of the fact that lots of Blues & (?)and also 1 immature or [[female symbol]] Summer Tanager, have been feeding in the same places as the Black-throats & Silver-bills his morning; none of the others has shown the slightest tendency to join the mixed flock.


Rhamphocelus [[Ramphocelus]], I  
        
December 24, 1958
Iquitos

Same Silver-bills here same place this morning.

Before it got really light, the [[male symbol]] was sitting about 20-25 ft away from the nest of his family, very low in a bush (about 2 ft off the ground). Setting in an erect posture; apparently repeating "Du-uh Wheeeeeeeeet" over & over again at rather short intervals. Apparently without too much in the way of bill movements. This seemed to be a kind of song. I shall call it DWS. The [[male symbol]] sat almost motionless through a long burst of DWS's, then shut up, began to give "Tut" CN's in a less erect posture, with flight int. movs., then DWS's again, etc. etc. Finally flew off to join the family and stopped DWS's from then on.

One thing seems to be characteristic of all the Rhamphocelus [[Ramphhocelus]], "song" is almost or completely confined to dawn or the pre-dawn.

I am beginning to think that the behavior of the Silver-bills indicates that this genus is closely related to Saltator. The "Tsit" CN's of the Silver-bill and the Gray Saltator are so similar. Both have "songs" which are ___ ___ ___________, or elaborated from that basis. And