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150

Ramphocelus, May 5, 1962, II 

One male, probably New, utters R-long "HAC" when landing near female. Then retreats 6:21.

Then New male back to uttering TssN's. Sitting in more or less ordinary unritualized posture, with only a trace of FH. Notes gradually accelerating a little. Now [[image]] female occasionally lands on same branch as this male. Never any display. Male stoops TssN's, flies to another branch, and resumes TssN's before.

It certainly looks as if the male were trying to attract a mate by uttering this indeterminate series of Tss N's. And his pairing drive must be at least moderately strong now, because he is uttering the TssN's quite persistently (under difficulties!) So "real" DCing probably does not occur except at the very highest intensities (of copulatory motivation????)

6:38. New male still continuing TssN's pretty steadily, apart from interruptions. Still usually sitting in trace of FH, breast & belly rather fluffed, no Back R (back feathers may be somewhat fluffed, but are always almost hidden.)

6:43 New male lands beside female. Utters R as he does so. Female immediately jabs at him. Develops into real pecking dispute. Quite prolonged. Accompanied by long "RR" "HAC". Single, long, wavering note with definite rattle undertone.  I.E. exactly intermediate between typical R and typical "HAC" without rattle undertone. Female advancing throughout dispute, but then flies away.

6:50 Very dull now. New male has about stopped TssN's.

6:55 Leaving myself