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52

Rhamphocelus [[Ramphocelus]], July 18, 1959, II                

they may utter both "Auh" CN's and "Pssssssst" CN's. The two types of CN are not always uttered in a regular order, but it is quite common to hear them uttered in pairs, one "Psssssss" followed by one "Auh." This is quite reminiscent of "TssC - Auh CN" performances of the Yellow Rumped Tanager! All the males (2 individuals) I have watched uttering such notes have been sitting, quietly, in a more or less erect but apparently unritualized sitting posture.

John Smith tells me that he heard an adult male utter a whole series of "Psssssssst" CN's when chasing (flying after) a juvenile or a female.

This morning I was most surprised to see an adult male land in a tall tree, sit there for a few seconds, by himself, in an apparently unritualized more or less diagonal posture, and utter phrase after phrase of what may be "adult song." Each phrase consisted of three notes, and might be transcribed as follows: "Whit Whewhew." [[image]]. This may well be strictly homologous with the "DWS" of the Silver-bill (see Dec. 24, 1958, p.49). In any case, the male just gave their phrases for a little while, without apparently  provoking any response from any other Sangre de Toro in the vicinity, and then he just flew off.

This is the only call of this species I have heard which is at all reminiscent of the "song" of the Scarlet-backed Tanager described by Shutch.

Transcription Notes:
[[image: sketch of Whit Whewhew pattern]]