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72

Rhamphocelus [[Ramphocelus]], Jun. 15, 1961, III             

When he gets to female he tries to hop on her. But female utters MCN (soft) as he does so, and he slips off her immediately. (I don't know if he even managed to get his feet really on her back before he slips off). Female continues soliciting without Q as before. Male tries to mount again. Again female utters MCN. Again male slips off. This time the male flies away.

A few minutes later, the female goes into soliciting posture as before. Again no Q. Male advances to her along branch, pivoting as before. Finally reaches female. Peers straight into her face. Perhaps their bills touch. In third feeding attempt???? I can't see any food passing from one to the other! Then male flies away.

Again female does soliciting. The male advances to her as before. This time he does get on her. Copulates. 1 or both bird(s) utter(s) soft MCN's during the cop. Cop apparently successful. Male flies off female. Lands and stands in BL-TU posture. This is just like the soliciting posture. Except that the male does not have his wings out. His wings are folded at his sides, not meeting on rump, but not really drooped. Not spread. No sign of wing raising. Male quite silent. Then relaxes 6:55.

Male & female hop about quite excitedly. Every once in a while, the male goes into St & BL & TU posture, with wings out, one wing held much higher than the other. Usually, I think, the wing nearest the female. Also extreme BF. Silent. Immediately after assuming such a posture, the male  usually goes straight to the female. Usually without pivoting. Usually the female has assumed a soliciting posture some time while the male was in his extreme St & BL & TU & wing out & BF posture. Silent. Again no Q. When male mounts and tries to cop, both birds are usually or always silent now. One at least of the cops apparently successful. Male usually flies straight off female's back. Little post cop display. Although male may perch