A species of cacique--of which there are several--like the blue jay of
the northern part of the continent, is celebrated for its imitative
powers. It is one of the handsomest in form of the feathered tribe, in
size somewhat larger than a starling. On each wing it has a yellow
spot; and its rump, belly, and half the tail are of the same colour.
All the rest of the body is black; while the beak is of the colour of
sulphur.
It lives on the fruits and seeds which nature has provided in the
forest; but wherever human habitations are found, it delights to take
_up_ its station on a tree close by, and there, for hours together, pour
forth a succession of imitative notes. Its own song is sweet, but very
short. If a toucan is yelping in the neighbourhood, it drops its own
note and imitates the huge-beaked bird. Then it will amuse itself with
the cries of different species of woodpeckers; and when the sheep bleat,
it will distinctly answer them. Then comes its own song again; and if a
puppy-dog or a Guinea-fowl interrupt it, it takes them off admirably,--
and by its different gestures during the time, it might be supposed that
it enjoys the sport.
The cacique is gregarious, and is generally found in large flocks,--
sometimes one species building their nests on one side of a tree, while
another, with a neighbourly feeling, appears to have selected the
opposite side; and they may be seen working amicably away, without
interfering with each other. They show wonderful instinct in the
selection of trees, sometimes hanging their large pendulous nests to the
extremities of palm branches, that they may thus be as much as possible
out of the reach of enemies who might attempt to take their young brood.
Others are said to select the trees on which the stinging-wasps have
already built their nests, as no tiger-cat nor reptile of any
description would venture to attack such adversaries.
One species (the casicus cristatus) weaves its nest of lichens, bark
fibres, and the filaments of the tillandsias; another (the casicus ruba)
of dry grasses, and always suspends it over the water. This has a
slanting opening in the side, so that no rain can penetrate it.