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By W. E. CLYDE Topp.
INCORPORATING THE SUBSTANCE OF FIELD-NOTES BY GusTAV A. LINK.

(PLATES XXII-XXVII.)

INTRODUCTION.

Although the West Indian Islands were among the first regions of
the New World to be visited by explorers with a scientific turn of
mind, their fauna thus early becoming known to the naturalists of
Europe, and although subsequent researches have greatly increased
our knowledge, it is only in comparatively recent years that systematic
attempts have been made to investigate the islands from the stand-
point of the zo6geographer, and with the same painstaking care as
has been used in the case of certain sections of continental America.
The West Indian Islands present a most inviting field for further
investigation and, indeed, so far as their avifauna is concerned, an
exhaustive treatise on the subject remains to be written. The im-
portance of a study of island-life, considered in its bearing upon the
various problems connected with the evolution of species, and their
present distribution and relationships, has during the past four
decades come to be realized. It is more and more felt that the study
of the organism in relation to its environment, constituting the new
science of ecology, is of equal importance with the study of form and
function, and that carefully recorded data as to the habits and life-
history of a given species are often more valuable, even from the stand-
point of the pure systematist, than a large series of finely prepared
and accurately labelled specimens.

It is with such considerations as these in mind that the present paper
has been prepared, and is submitted as a contribution to a faunal
survey of the West Indies, along lines similar to those followed
by the writer in an earlier paper on the ornithology of the Bahama
Islands (ANNALS CARNEGIE Museum, VII, I9QII, 388-464). It is
primarily based on a collection of birds made in the Isle of Pines by
Mr. Gustav A. Link, of the taxidermic force of the Carnegie Museum,

146

Topp: THE BiIRDs OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. et
during his residence there for a year, beginning in June, 1912. Mr.
Link is entitled to great credit for making such a fine collection,
working as he did under unusual embarrassments, due in part to ill
health, on account of which he had been ordered by his physician
to a warmer climate. Although he succeeded in covering the island
fairly well, it is to be regretted that he was unable to devote more time
to the investigation of the southern coast and the eastern part of the
Cienaga, or Central Swamp, the avifauna of which sections proved to
be unusually interesting. Unfortunately, too, because of inexperience
in recording observations, his field-notes are somewhat meager, and
leave much to be desired. In many cases they have been supple-
mented in the preparation of this paper by the published observations
of other parties, particularly those of Mr. Arthur C. Read, a local
observer, and the late Mr. Walter R. Zappey. Under each species
all published references have been collated, so far as they relate to
the Isle of Pines.

In addition to the material brought back by Mr. Link, the writer
has had the opportunity of examining many of the more interesting
specimens collected by Mr. Zappey in 1904, for which privilege he is
indebted to Mr. Outram Bangs. The critical study and comparison
of this new material has served to fix with greater certainty a number
of doubtful cases of status and relationships among the forms involved,
while it has also incidentally revealed the existence of some additional
geographical variants in the adjoining island of Cuba. It is evident
that much remains to be done even in Cuba before a full and accurate
understanding of its ornis can be reached. For the loan of specimens
from the West Indies for use in this connection the writer is indebted
not only to Mr. Bangs, as mentioned, but also to Mr. Charles T. Rams-
den, of Guantanamo, Cuba, Mr. Frank M. Chapman, of the American
Museum of Natural History, Mr. Charles B. Cory, of the Field Museum
of Natural History, and Dr. Charles W. Richmond, of the U. S.
National Museum. He is further under obligations to Messrs. William
Palmer and Joseph H. Riley for the use of their field-notes made during
a visit to the Isle of Pines in 1900, and to Mr. Riley and Dr. Richmond
for additional data and information. Mr. Robert Ridgway has very
generously permitted him to describe here the new form of Columba
inornata from the Isle of Pines in advance of the appearance of the
forthcoming part of that author’s Birds of North and Middle America,
while Dr. Jonathan Dwight, Dr. Louis B. Bishop, and Mr. Henry

148 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

W. Henshaw have kindly furnished measurements of certain specimens
from collections under their care. Miss Sophie G. Keenan, of Nueva
Gerona, Isle of Pines, has courteously supplied some much needed
information concerning sundry localities, together with an authentic
map of the island. Dr, Otto E. Jennings, Curator of Botany in the
Carnegie Museum, is responsible for that part of the present paper
which deals with the physiographic and major botanical features of
the island. And finally, acknowledgments are due to Mr. Arthur C.
Read, of Santa Barbara, Isle of Pines, for a set of his articles on birds
published in a local newspaper, and for his cheerful compliance with
requests for information concerning his work.

GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY.

The Isla de Pinos, or Isle of Pines, lies off the southern coast of
Cuba, to which it belongs both politically and geographically. It is
situated about midway of the concavity formed by the western end
of that island, from the nearest point of which it is distant only about
thirty-five miles, while the channel between is dotted with numerous
small islands or cays. Its area is approximately eight hundred square
miles, and its outline roughly rectangular, with the corners cut off.
On the west coast there is a deep indentation, known as Siguanea
Bay, and a smaller one on the east coast, directly opposite. Between
these two inlets stretches an immense fresh-water morass, the Cienaga
de Lanier, which divides the island from east to west into two parts,
the southern portion being approximately one-half the size of the
northern. The latter is irregularly oblong in shape, about twenty-
five miles in an east and west direction by twenty miles north and
south. The southern portion is about thirty-five miles long and not
over eight miles across at the widest part, with its western end curving
to the northwest, around Siguanea Bay, for a considerable distance
beyond the westernmost point of the northern portion. The ‘ south
coast,’ as it is called, is almost uninhabited and very imperfectly
known, but the northern portion of the island has been laid out into
tracts of greater or less size, some of which have been cleared and given
over to the cultivation of citrus-fruits, pineapples, etc. The total
population is said to be about four thousand, and Nueva Gerona, in
the north-central part of the island, is the principal town, between
which and Batabané, Cuba, there is regular communication by
steamer.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 149

The surface of the northern portion of the island consists of an
essentially level plain, from which rise abruptly a number of isolated
mountain ridges and peaks, constituting prominent landmarks. Of
these ridges the best known are the two in the neighborhood of Nueva
Gerona, running parallel with each other in a general north and south
direction, on either side of the town. The ridge lying to the westward
is known as the Sierra de Casas or Casas Mountains (Pl. X XII, fig. 1),
while the eastern and longer ridge is the Sierra de Caballos or Caballos
Mountains, which extend out into the sea to the northward in a high
rocky promontory, Punta del Colombo. The Caballos Mountains
reach a height in some places of about a thousand feet, the Casas
Mountains being considerably lower. Geologically speaking, these
ridges are composed mainly of a crystalline marble, the strata dipping
to the east-northeast, so that the western slopes are generally steeper
than the eastern, with precipitous cliffs exposed in many places.
Elsewhere the slopes are covered from base to summit with a dense
tangle of partly deciduous vegetation (Pl. XXII, fig. 2). Among the
prominent forest-trees are Casearia sylvestris, Trichilia hirta, Amyris
balsamifera, Banisteria laurifolia, Spondias Monbin, and Guazuma
Guazuma. Everywhere the trees are looped with vines, while their
upper and more exposed branches are covered with air-plants of
various kinds, and the ground beneath is choked with bushes and
herbaceous growths. In these woody tangles, especially near the
foot of the mountains, the most characteristic bird is perhaps the
Isle of Pines Lizard Cuckoo, while among the other species partial
to this particular habitat may be mentioned the Ani, Red-legged
Thrush, Black-whiskered Vireo, Cuban Tody, Cuban Spindalis, Ricord’
Emerald, and Isle of Pines Pygmy Owl. A little higher up on the
slopes the Isle of Pines Trogon becomes fairly common, while among
the cliffs near the summit, where the trees begin to thin out, the Cuban
Cliff Swallow and Turkey Buzzard are accustomed to nest.

Besides the two ridges just described, there is another, the Sierra
de la Cafiada or Cafiada Mountains, in the southwestern part of the
northern section of the island, a few miles east of Los Indios. This
is almost as high as the Caballos ridge, but unlike it is composed of an
impure mica schist, the southwestern exposure being quite steep and
precipitous. Itis covered with a sparse growth of pines ( Pinus caribea)
and star-palms ( Cocothrinax Miraguano), and from its foot a level sandy
or gravelly plain, supporting a similar open pine-forest, stretches away

150 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

to the western coast. Indeed, this sandy, pine-covered plain occupies
the entire southwestern portion of the northern island, as far north
almost as Santa Barbara. Excepting for a fringe along the streams,
where the prevailing vegetation is of a different kind, denser and more
jungle-like, the pines are very characteristic of this section (PI.
XXIV, fig. 1). The bird-life here, however, is neither rich nor varied.
These open pine-lands are the favorite haunts of the Cuban Crane and
several species of pigeons and doves, but barring the La Sagra Fly- |
catcher, Gray Kingbird, and certain winter-resident species of warblers
in their season, birds are rather scarce.

Over the greater portion of the northern island, however, the soil
is largely the Mal Pais Gravel, a yellowish red or brownish red gravelly
clay, which becomes very firm during the dry season, and which in
depressions is replaced by a light yellow or somewhat gray sandy
loam. Over much of this part of the inland plain, as for instance in
the vicinity of Nueva Gerona and Santa Fé, the land has been in use
at least for grazing purposes for a long time, and the original vege-
tation has been greatly modified. Bush-fires have frequently been
started as a means of clearing the land, and at the present time con-
siderable areas are under cultivation. In these cultivated tracts are
found the Cuban Meadowlark, Isle of Pines Lizard Cuckoo, and Isle
of Pines Woodpecker, with an occasional flock of the Isle of Pines
Grackle, but few other of the woodland species have occasion to venture
into such situations. Outside of these cultivated areas the vegetation
is mainly a palmetto-pine scrub (Pl. XXIII, fig. 1), partly deciduous
in the dry season, and in the lower spots quite dense and difficult to
penetrate. Asa rule this straggling shrubbery is from eight to fifteen
feet in height, and among others the following species are represented:
Curatella americana (sandpaper leaf), Byrsonima crassifolia, Tabe-
bouia lepidophylla, Brya ebenus (known locally as ‘‘ majagua,’’ and
forming dense thorny thickets), and several kinds of palmetto. Mixed
with these, but rising considerably above the ‘general level of the
shrubby vegetation, are varying numbers of Pinus caribea (Carib-
bean Pine), Muntingia calabura, Cocothrinax Miraguano (star-palm),
Sabal parviflora (cabbage-palm), Paurotis Wrightit (bottle-palm)
(Pl. XXIII, fig. 3), and Copernicia Curtisii, and in the lower places
Oreodoxia regia (royal palm) (Pl. XXIII, fig. 2). The Isle of Pines
Parrot, Isle of Pines Woodpecker, and Cuban Sparrow Hawk are
characteristic birds in this sort of country, while certain other species,

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 151

such as the Cuban Quail, Cuban Oriole, Cuban Mourning Dove, Cuban
Ground Dove, and three species of flycatchers—the Cuban Petchary,
Gray Kingbird, and La Sagra Flycatcher — are also more or less com-
mon here, as well as in the thickets on the mountain side. Inthe more
open situations, and along the edges of the scrubby growth, are
found the Cuban Meadowlark and Yellow-faced Grassquit.

The rivers of the northern island diverge in every direction from the
central plain, from which to the seacoast there is a fall of about two
hundred feet. The Rio de las Nuevas, or New River, is the largest
of these streams, and drains an extensive area in the northwestern part.
All the rivers are very low in the dry season, some of them, indeed,
being reduced to a mere succession of pools, the channels then being
called “ arroyos.’’ ‘‘ There appears to have been in recent times an
elevation of the island sufficient to have enabled the streams to cut
down steep channels, at least in the lower part of their courses, so that
subsequent depression to the present level has resulted in submerging
the lower courses of the rivers, thus making them subject to tide-water
for often eight or nine miles from the mouth. The forests of the man-
grove formation have at the same time advanced upon the lower parts
of the depressed plain’ (Jennings, American Fern Journal, I, 1911,
131). This mangrove-swamp, which is so characteristic a feature of
numerous Other islands and coasts about the Gulf of Mexico, forms a
fringe around the greater part of the Isle of Pines (Pl. XXIV, fig. 2),
and extends inland along the river-courses for several miles, or until
the water becomes fresh. Two species are represented, Rhizophora
mangle, the true mangrove, and Avicennia nitida, the white mangrove,
growing together in a dense and tangled mass, extending well out into
the water. There is a chain of islands lying off to the northwest from
Punta del Potrero on the east coast which are composed entirely of
this mangrove growth, while the islands in Siguanea Bay are also of
the same formation. The Cuban Yellow Warbler is entirely confined
to the mangroves, and they are the favorite haunts of the Isle of
Pines Clapper Rail, and several species of herons and other water-
birds.

Above tidewater the river-bank fringe of mangroves gives way as
the land rises to a jungle-like growth with considerable low vegetation
and many vines. The trees are mainly evergreen species, among which
are Anona squamosa, Hirtella mollicoma, Morinda Roioc, Eugenia
punicifolia, etc. This same jungle, with modifications, extends also

152 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

along the banks of the arroyos, becoming less dense and less evergreen
on the drier ground. Here occur such trees as Xylopia grandiflora,
Pithecolobium arboreum, Dendropanax cuneifolium, Tetrazygia bicolor,
and Ternstremia obovalis. On the low plain back of the mangroves,
as for instance along the coast north of Nueva Gerona, there is a con-
siderable seepage even during the dry season from the higher ground,
so that this same fresh-water jungle occurs in many cases as an inner
fringe to the mangrove forest, and may even be found also along the
north side of the Cienaga de Lanier. It is in this dense tropical
jungle that bird-life is most abundant and varied. Here occur as
representative species the Isle of Pines Green Woodpecker, Cuban
Wood Pewee, Black-whiskered Vireo, Isle of Pines Pygmy Owl, Isle
of Pines Trogon, Ricord Emerald, Red-legged Thrush, and Cuban
Spindalis, in addition to numerous other less common kinds, while
several species of winter-resident warblers find here congenial haunts
in their season.

Lagoons and marshes are not infrequent in certain parts of the
northern island, especially near the coast, and several of the larger
of these were visited on one or more occasions by Mr. Link. A large
lagoon on the Bibijagua tract, near Punta Primera de Salinas, proved
to be a favorite resort for several species of shore-birds, its sandy and
muddy southern beach being a great attraction. So much of the ac-
tual coast-line of the island is taken up with the mangroves that there
are comparatively few stretches of beach, one of the most extensive
of which lies to the east of Punta de la Bibijagua. The lagoon just
referred to, known locally as ‘“‘ Rincon ”’ Lagoon, lies a little way behind
this beach, parallel with the shore-line. It is quite shallow, and the
water is brackish, supporting in places a growth of aquatic plants, and
fringed in others with the inevitable mangroves. The El Bobo Lagoon,
which lies just east of the mouth of the Nuevas River, is of a similar
character, being an area of shallow, brackish water closed in by man-
groves and receiving an overflow from the sea at very high tide. Santa
Rosalia Lagoon, which is situated just south of the Caballos Mountains
not far from the town of Columbia, is of a different character, the
water being fresh, the shores muddy, and with a rank growth of
marsh-grasses farther back. All these lagoons become very low in the
dry season. They are favorite resorts for the various species of herons
and certain other aquatic birds.

The Cienaga de Lanier, the great marsh which extends across the

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 153

southern part of the Isle of Pines, virtually dividing it into two islands,
partakes largely of the character of the coast for some distance from
its western end, and probably at its eastern end also. The water is
more or less brackish, and the mangroves follow up this condition. To-
wards the central portion, however, the water becomes fresh, and even ©
atthe Paso de Piedras, the only available crossing-place, it is two or
three feet deep in the dry season. In its general character this great
swamp closely resembles the Florida Everglades (Pl. XXV, fig. 1).
Marshy areas with grasses and sedges alternate with open shallow pools
filled with water-lilies, or, on the other hand, with island-like ‘‘ hum-

,

mocks,”’ supporting a dense growth of broad-leaved shrubs, low trees,
and palms. As might naturally be expected, the Cienaga has a very
characteristic bird-fauna of its own, some species, as for example the
Cuban Red-wing and Purple Gallinule, being practically confined to its
limits. Herons of several kinds, the White Ibis, Cuban King Rail,
Limpkin, Antillean Tree Duck, and West Indian Jacana are among
the birds commonly observed here. It is to be regretted that there
was not sufficient time to give this interesting region a more thorough
investigation.

South of the Cienaga lies the ‘‘ south coast ’’—a region quite dif-
ferent in character from the main island, consisting of a fairly level
coral-limestone formation, the overlying soil being thin, but rich,
supporting in places a tangle of broad-leaved, partly deciduous trees,
shrubs, and vines, suchas Pithecolobium arboreum, Tecoma pentaphylla,
Metopium toxiferum, Bucida Buceras, and Lysiloma bahamensis, some
of which are not known from the northern island. There are no pines
here, and barring a few cocoanut and royal palms along the coast
near habitations, the only palm noticed was Thrinax Wendlandiana,
which is particularly abundant along the tops of the cliffs facing the
sea. Scattered through this section there are numerous good-sized
lagoons, only one of which, however, the Laguna de Piedras, a short
distance south of Pasadita, was visited by Mr. Link, who reports
that it was of the same general character as the Cienaga itself. He was
able also to make an overland trip from Bogarona, on Siguanea Bay,
to Caleta Grande, and thence to Caleta Cocodrilos. Along this
portion of the coast the surf beats against jagged perpendicular cliffs,
which in some places were perhaps eighty or ninety feet in height. A
narrow shelf, with numerous projecting jagged rocks, extends out
from the coast for a short distance, beyond which the water deepens

154 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

very rapidly, the thousand-fathom line lying only about seven miles
offshore. Unfortunately it was not possible to explore any of the
long stretch of coast-line between Caleta Cocodrilos and Punta del
Este (Pl. X XV, fig. 2), which part is considered too dangerous for
small vessels to approach, and this remains, ornithologically speaking,
a terra incognita which is bound to repay future investigation, judging
from the indications afforded by the western end. The Cuban Bull-
finch was not encountered elsewhere in the island, and the Cuban
Crow, Helena Hummingbird, and certain species of shore-birds were
also quite numerous. The islands in Siguanea Bay proved to be
favorite resorts for certain sea-birds, particularly one known locally
as ‘‘ Bird Island,’’ where is a large colony of Man-o’-war Birds and
Florida Cormorants.

CLIMATE.

‘The climate of the island is, of course, oceanic and quite equable.
[This is due to its comparatively small size, exposed position, and level
contour, without any high or extensive mountain ridges, such as exert
a modifying influence in Cuba, for example.] The latitude being but
about twenty-one degrees north, the extreme range of the thermometer
lies between about 50° and 100° F. The temperatures experienced
by the writer during his sojourn on the island in May, with the sun
exactly overhead at noon, were from 82° to 92° F. during the day,
while at night, temperatures as low as 70° F. were rarely experienced.
The temperature of the ocean water on the beaches was 80°-82° F.,
while a mineral spring at Santa Fé was said to register 88° F. The
well and spring waters, so far as tested, ranged generally from about
68° to 80° F. as they came from the ground. The island has a dry
season, with showers very rarely, from November to May, while
during the latter month, or about the first of June, there begins a wet
season, with torrential rains, which fill to the brim the sharply cut
channels of the rivers, and flood portions of the low-lying plains”
(Jennings, American Fern Journal, I, 1911, 132). Hurricanes visit
the island at intervals, doing immense damage to buildings and crops.
The island is free from both yellow and malarial fevers, but the hordes
of insect-pests make life in the open almost unendurable, except to
those inured to such persecution, and are one of the causes for the
tardy development of its natural resources. Most of the land is in
the hands of companies of promoters, whose roseate representations

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 155

are leading many an unwary bona fide settler into an unprofitable
venture, the potential capacity of the soil being by no means the only
factor entering into the case.

PREvIoUS WORK.

The well-known Cuban naturalist, the late Dr. John Gundlach, was
in January, 1854, apparently the first ornithologist to visit the Isle of
Pines. For a period of forty years thereafter his notes, published in
various periodicals and sometimes at second-hand, remained our only
source of information concerning its avifauna. According to Mr. Cory,
to whom he furnished a manuscript list of the birds observed, Gundlach
again visited the island in April, 1892, but whether in the inter-
mediate period does not appear. Gundlach, however, failed to recog-
nize the importance of a comparative study of the bird-life of
the island, which he evidently regarded as not essentially different
from that of Cuba, and while his latest work abounds in references to
the Isle of Pines, in almost every case it is merely to mention incident-
ally the occurrence there of certain Cuban species.

In 1900 Messrs. William Palmer and Joseph H. Riley of the U. S.
National Museum, made a brief collecting trip to the island, from June
27 to July 13 inclusive. Practically all of their work was done in the
vicinity of Nueva Gerona, except for part of two days which Mr.
Palmer spent at Manigua, a plantation about ten miles west of that
town, in the pines. A list of fifty-one species was made on this trip;
all well-known forms.

In March, 1902, the late Mr. Walter R. Zappey visited the island
and made a small collection of birds, which went to the Rothschild
Museum at Tring, England, where up to date they have not been
reported upon. In 1904, however, the same collector visited the
island again, remaining from April 18 to June 4 inclusive. His route
appears to have been from Nueva Gerona, Bibijagua, etc., to Santa
Fé, El Hospital, and Pasadita to the south coast at Playa Larga, and
he seems to have been the first naturalist to visit the Cienaga. His
material, amounting to two hundred and sixty-seven specimens, went
into the collection of Messrs. E. A. and O. Bangs (now in the Museum
of Comparative Zoélogy), and together with his field-notes was the
basis of the first systematic account of the birds of the island. In
this paper, published in 1905, Messrs. Bangs and Zappey pointed out
for the first time the distinctness of several of the birds from the Isle

156 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

of Pines, and later Mr. Bangs characterized a few additional forms
from the same collection.

In December, 1908, Mr. Arthur C. Read, an enthusiastic amateur
ornithologist of Toledo, Ohio, went to the Isle of Pines, where he has
ever since resided. He soon began to send back notes for publication,
mainly to the Odlogist of Albion, New York. Many of his articles are
merely lists of species seen at various times and places. Unfortunately,
however, insome instances Mr. Read’s earlier identifications were erro-
neous, as is shown by the corrections which he himself makes. Some
of the records, which up to the present he has allowed to stand, appear
doubtful to the writer, and to have been admitted to his lists on
insufficient grounds. In reply to an inquiry addressed to Mr. Read
he writes that some of these records which seem open to question were
based on the actual capture of specimens, but that the specimens were
not in every case preserved; moreover, that he lost his entire collection
of skins in the flood and hurricane of 1910, and has not started a
new one since. This circumstance is very unfortunate, as it makes it
impossible to authenticate the correctness of his determinations in
cases of doubt. The list of a part of Mr. Read’s collection, and a copy
of some of his field-notes, have been kindly loaned by him for exami-
nation, and have been freely used in the preparation of the present
. report.

THE EXPEDITION OF IQI2—13.

In May, 1910, a party of four from the staff of the Carnegie Museum
was engaged for a few weeks in making collections of the plants and
reptiles of the Isle of Pines. No particular attention was paid to the
birds on this expedition, but, as the island seemed to promise good
results for work in this line, Mr. Gustav A. Link of the taxidermic
staff of the museum was detailed in 1912 to undertake the making
of a representative collection of the birds of the island, and left in
June of that year, accompanied by hisson, Mr. John Link, as assistant.
Beginning work at Nueva Gerona on June 26, he continued until July
12, when interference from the Cuban officials caused a suspension of
his activities for over two months. He then went to Los Indios, in
the southwestern part of the main island, which he made his head-
quarters until January 25, 1913, making in the meantime several trips
from there to points on Siguanea Bay and the “ south coast.” Los
Indios and its vicinity proved to be a much better collecting-ground
than the country about Nueva Gerona, this latter section being so

ToppD: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 157

much more extensively cleared and cultivated than the other. Inter-
mittent work was carried on at Nueva Gerona, however, from January
26 until April 9, the mountains in the vicinity being repeatedly visited,
and several side-trips being made to certain lagoons on the north coast
in search of water-birds. Returning to Los Indios on April to, Mr. Link
made a second trip to the “‘ south coast,’’ and also put in some time at
the western end of the Cienaga, near Siguanea. May 10 to 21 was
spent at Nueva Gerona, after which he undertook a trip to the eastern
end of the Cienaga, at Pasadita, where he collected from May 23 to 28,
returning to Nueva Gerona the next day, and leaving the island on
June 5. The collection of birds brought back amounts to eight hun-
dred and forty-two well-prepared specimens, representing one hundred
and three species, including all of the forms peculiar to the island, and
a larger series of aquatic forms than most collectors would think of
taking.
SEASONAL OCCURRENCE.

One hundred and forty-two species aré admitted to the present list
of the birds of the Isle of Pines, or twenty-two more than were given
by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey in 1905. For nearly all of these ad-
ditions the work of Mr. Link is responsible, and there are specimens to
support most of the new records. In every case the evidence for the
occurrence of a given species has been carefully weighed, especially
with reference to its known status in Cuba, and doubtful records have
been relegated to the hypothetical list. A few species have been ad-
mitted to the list solely on the basis of Gundlach’s records as given by
Mr. Cory. The voluminous notes made in the last few years by Mr.
Arthur C. Read have somewhat perplexed the writer. Published in
an amateur journal, the scientific names in many cases not being given,
or else so mangled by the printer as to be almost beyond recognition,
and with no indication that the author was aware of the very unusual
character of certain of his observations, or of the necessity for their
full authentication, there would seem to be ample justification for
ignoring them entirely in a paper like the present. Nevertheless in
spite of the defects, which are evident, it is plain that the good faith
of Mr. Read cannot be called into question, and that there is much
of interest and value in his notes. An effort therefore has been
made to sift them, utilizing such as seem to rest on a sound basis,
and calling attention to such as seem dubious, so that they may either
be verified or corrected in the future.

158 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

As might be expected in the case of a locality lying so far within
the Tropical Zone as the Isle of Pines, its avifauna is composed mainly
of two classes of species as regards seasonal status, permanent resi-
dents and winter visitants. Ninety-two species are included in the
first category, all of which are known, or presumed, to breed in the
island, and to remain (as a species) the year around. Nota few of the
species in this list, however, are known to be more or less migratory,
some of them being more numerous in the dry season, when their
numbers are augmented by winter migrants from the north; while
others are regularly more abundant, or at least more frequently
observed, in the breeding season, most of the individuals retiring at
its close to other parts. Some of these forms are more or less local
in their distribution. Following is the list:

Colymbus dominicus dominicus Urubitinga gundlachit
Podilymbus podiceps Falco sparverioides
Anhinga anhinga Polyborus cheriway

Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus Pandion haliaétus carolinensis

Pharacrocorax vigua mexicanus
Pelecanus occidentalis
Fregata magnificens
Ixobrychus exilis exilis
Ardea occidentalis repens
Ardea herodias adoxa
Herodias egretta
Dichromanassa rufescens
Florida cerulea

Egretta thula thula
Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis
Butorides virescens cubanus
Butorides brunescens
Nycticorax nycticorax n@vius
Nyctanassa violacea

Ajaia ajaja

Guara alba

Mycteria americana
Phenicopterus ruber
Dendrocygna arborea
Cathartes aura aura
Rostrhamats sociabiits

Colinus cubanensis

Rallus elegans ramsdeni
Rallus longirostris leucopheus
Gallinula chloropus cachinnans
Ionornts martinica

Aramus voctiferus

Grus mexicana nesiotes
Sterna maxima

Sterna antillarum
Himantopus mexicanus
Oxyechus vociferus rubidus
Pagolla wilsonia wilsonia

Jacana spinosa violacea

Starnenas cyanocephala
Geotrygon chrysia

Geotrygon montana
Chemepelia passerina aflavida
Zenaida zenaida zenaida
Zenaidura macroura macroura
Columba leucocephala
Columba squamosa

Columba inornata proxima

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES.

Ara tricolor

Aratinga euops

Amazona leucocephala palmarum

Crotophaga ant

Saurothera decolor

Glaucidium siju vittatum

Gymnasio lawrencit exsul

Asto stygius

Tyto perlata furcata

Setochalcis cubanensis

Todus multicolor

Xiphidiopicus percussus insule-
pinorum

Centurus superciliaris murceus

Priotelus temnurus vescus

Streptoprocne zonaris pallidifrons

Tachornis phenicobia yradii

Calypte helene

Riccordia ricordit ricordit

Tyrannus dominicensis domini-
censts

159

Tyrannus cubensis
Tolmarchus caudifasciatus
Myiarchus sagre sagre
Blacicus caribeus

Mimus polyglottos orpheus
Myadestes elisabeth
Mimocichla rubripes rubripes
Corvus nasicus

Vireo gundlachi gundlachii
Petrochelidon fulva fulva
Teretistris fernandine
Dendroica petechia gundlacht
Sturnella magna hippocrepis
Agelaius assimilis

Icterus hypomelas

Ptiloxena atroviolacea
Holoquiscalus caymanensis dispar
Spindalis pretret
Melopyrrha nigra

Tiaris olivacea olivacea
Tiaris canora

Of true summer residents there appear to be only three species, as

follows:

Chordeties virginianus minor
Vireosylva calidrts barbatula

Progne cryptoleuca

This makes a total of ninety-five species known, or reasonably pre-
sumed, to breed in the island, or two-thirds of its known ornis.

There are forty-two species which occur as winter visitants from
continental North America. Further work in the island should result
in adding a considerable number to this list, judging from the many
records of this class from Cuba and the other Antilles. That practic-
ally all the migratory birds which regularly or casually visit Cuba
should likewise reach the Isle of Pines seems entirely probable.
Several of the birds in the following list have been observed more fre-
quently during the season of migration than through the winter
months.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Botaurus lentiginosus

Querquedula discors
Chen hyperborea nivalis

160 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Circus hudsonius

Falco peregrinus anatum

Falco columbarius

Fulica americana

Sterna sandvicensts acuflavida

Gallinago delicata

Limnodromus griseus griseus

Pisobia minutilla

Totanus meianoleucus

Totanus flavipes

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus sem1-
palmatus

Actitis macularia

Squatarola squatarola

Oxyechus vociferus vociferus

Charadrius semipalmatus

Arenaria interpres morinella

Antrostomus carolinensis

Streptoceryle alcyon alcyon

Sphyrapicus varius varius

Mimus polyglottos polygioutos

Dumetella carolinensis

Poliobtila cerulea cerulea

Vireo griseus griseus

Seto phaga ruticilla

Geothlypis trichas trichas

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis

Seiturus aurocapillus

Dendroica palmarum palmarum

Dendroica discolor

Dendroica dominica dominica

Dendroica virens

Dendroica coronata

Dendroica cerulescens cerulescens

Compsothlypis americana usnee

Mniotilta varia

Passerina cyanea

Ammodramus savannarum aus-
traits

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna

The remaining five species belong to the class of transient visitants,
appearing only during the migrations in spring and fall, on the way
to and from their breeding-grounds. Future research may add a

number of species to this list also.

Hirundo erythrogastra
Dendroica striata
Tringa solitaria

Chordeiles virginianus virginianus
Dolichonyx oryzivorus

FAUNAL AFFINITIES.

Geographically speaking, the Isle of Pines is so closely related to
Cuba that a rise of only about fifty feet would suffice to connect the
two islands. Even now the channel between is dotted with numerous
cays, forming a chain of islands which would surely present no especial
difficulties to the passage of birds, even those of weak flight. It does
not appear whether the Isle of Pines received its bird population from
Cuba in this manner, or before its separation from that island took
place; in either case we would expect to find their respective avifaunas
closely related. An analysis shows that of the one hundred and
twenty-six species on the list of breeding birds for western Cuba, no

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 161

less than eighty-five are common to both islands, while eight others
are represented in the Isle of Pines by recognizably distinct forms, at
least one of which is so different from the original-stock form as to
merit (in the writer’s judgment) the rank of a species. These Cuban
forms, with their respective representatives in the Isle of Pines, are
as follows:

WESTERN CUBA. ISLE OF PINES.
Rallus longirostris cubanus Rallus longirostris leucopheus
Columba inornata inornata Columba inornata proxima
Amazona leucocephalaleucocephala Amazona leucocephala palmarum
Saurothera merlini Saurothera decolor
Glaucidium siju siju Glaucidium siju vittatum

Xiphidiopicus percussus percussus Xtphidiopicus percussus insule-pinorum
Centurus superciliaris superciliaris Centurus superciliaris murceus
Priotelus temnurus temnurus Priotelus temnurus vescus

On the other hand, there are at least thirty-one species of western
Cuban breeding birds which have not as yet been recorded from the
Isle of Pines, as follows:

* Sula leucogastra * Sterna anetheta
* Phaéthon americanus * Sterna dougalli
* Plegadis autumnalis * Larus atricilla
* Erismatura jamaicensis * Hematopus palliatus
* Nomonyx dominicus Geotrygon caniceps
* Aix sponsa * Melopelia asiatica asiatica
* Pecilonetta bahamensts Campephilus bairdii
Chondrohierax wilsonit Nesoceleus fernandine
Buteo borealis umbrinus Colaptes chrysocaulosus chryso-
Buteo platypterus cubanensis caulosus
Accipiter gundlachi Nephecetes niger niger
Accipiter striatus fringilloides Corvus minutus
Limnopardalus maculatus ino p- Dendroica pityo phila
tatus Cyanerpes cyaneus ramsdent
* Porzana flaviventris Agelaius humeralis
* Anous stolidus stolidus Ammodramus savannarum subsp.

* Sterna fuscata

Almost half of the species in this list (designated by an asterisk)
are of more or less wide distribution, so that their absence is of no
especial significance. No doubt in due time a number of them will
be found in the Isle of Pines. Just how far a like probability may be

162 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

assumed for the remaining forms is an open question. At all events,
negative evidence must count for little at present, and the chances are
that, other conditions being equal, the majority of the species of this
latter category extend their range to the Isle of Pines. Some of them,
indeed, have even been reported therefrom, on what appears at present,
however, to be insufficient grounds.

The avifauna of Cuba itself, it may be noted in passing, is not en-
tirely homogeneous, there being at least six cases (two of which are
pointed out for the first time in the present paper) where the eastern
and western parts of the island respectively are inhabited by different
although closely allied forms of certain birds. Without exception in
such cases the Isle of Pines bird is like that of western Cuba. So
that, while we might perhaps be inclined to accept the theory of iso-
lation as the dominant factor in the development of the distinctive
races of the Isle of Pines, it is evident that such an explanation will not
account for the differentiation of two distinct forms in Cuba. It is
altogether likely, therefore, that the actual difference in environmental
conditions in the Isle of Pines, as evidenced in its peculiar physio-
graphic and climatic features, as compared with those of Cuba, has
had more to do in the evolution of its several indigenous forms of
birds than mere segregation.

List oF LOCALITIES.

In order to facilitate the use of the map which accompanies this
report in studying the local distribution of the avifauna, all the locality
names appearing in the text are here duly listed, with a brief indication
of their position and application. The American invasion of the
island is responsible for the confusing mixture of English and Spanish
names. Certain names appearing in Messrs. Bangs and Zappey’s
paper, too, are incorrectly spelled, while others are of more or less
uncertain application. A map furnished by Mr. Link, showing his
route and collecting-stations, happily puts his work on a much better
basis in this respect.

Almacigos—More properly Los Almacigos, which see.

Arroyo del Pino (Pine River).—A river in the western part of the
main island, visited by Mr. Read on a few occasions.

Arroyo (‘‘ Rio’’) Santiago.—A small river or creek flowing into the
Cienaga near its eastern end, referred to by Mr. Zappey.

Bibijagua (or Vivijagua)—A town-site, with a hotel and several

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 163

concrete houses, situated on the north coast about a mile and a half
southeast of the point of the same name. There is a sandy beach
about a mile long at this place, while immediately to the westward a
wooded ridge, which reaches a height of two hundred and fifty feet,
runs parallel with the shore-line. The slopes of this ridge were well
explored by Mr. Link, and proved to be quite rich in bird-life, and the
locality was visited by Mr. Zappey also, who incorrectly spells the
name “ Bibeyhagua.”’

Bird Island—A small mangrove island in the southern part of
Siguanea Bay, so called because of the presence there of nesting colonies
of the Man-o’-war-bird and Florida Cormorant. Visited by Mr. Link
on two occasions, and more recently by Mr. Read.

Bogarona.—A landing on the south coast of Siguanea Bay, used by
vessels plying to and from Los Indios. Mr. Link collected a few
specimens at this place.

Caballos Mountains.—See Sierra de Caballos.

Cabo (Punta) Frances——The western extremity of the “ south
coast,’’ at the entrance to Siguanea Bay.

Caleta Cocodrilos (Crocodile Inlet)—A small inlet, fringed with
mangroves, on the western part of the “ south coast,”’ visited by Mr.
Link.

Caleta Grande (Grand Inlet) —A small bay or inlet on the “ south

”

coast,’’ near its western end, visited by Mr. Link. A sandy beach
all around makes this a favorite resort for several species of shore-birds
in season, while Brown Pelicans also find it a good place to pursue
their fishing.

“‘ Callebonita.’’-—A misspelling for Cayo Bonito, which see.

Cafiada Mountains.—See Sierra de la Cafiada.

Casas Mountains.—See Sierra de Casas.

Casas River—See Rio Sierra de Casas.

Cayo Bonito—An old plantation, lying along a river of the same
name, within a mile of the town of Santa Fé. Erroneously given as
““ Callebonita ”’ by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey.

Cayo Frances—A small island just off Cabo Frances, where Mr.
Link once made a brief stop, collecting a few birds. It is almost
surrounded with mangroves, but has a stretch of sandy beach.

Cerro de Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Mountain).—An isolated
hill in the western part of the island, about two hundred feet high,
referred to by Mr. Read.

164 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Cienaga de Lanier.—Usually referred to merely as the ‘‘ Cienaga.”
An immense swamp or morass, running from east to west across the
southern part of the island, and separating it into two portions. See
description on page 152.

Columbia.—An American colony or town in the northeastern part
of the main island, west of the Rio Jucaro.

Crocodile Inlet—See Caleta Cocodrilos.

El Bobo Lagoon.—A good-sized salt-water mangrove lagoon near
the coast, east of the mouth of the Nuevas River. A favorite resort
for various species of herons and shore-birds. Visited by Mr. Link
on March 14 and 15, 1913.

El Canal.—A tract of land in the southern part of the main island,
traversed by Mr. Link in his trip to the Cienaga in May, 1913.

El Hospital—A tract of land adjoining El Canal on the south,
traversed by both Mr. Zappey and Mr. Link.

Ensenada de la Siguanea (Siguanea Bay).—A large but compara-
tively shallow bay indenting the western part of the island, and
opening to the northwest. It is about ten miles wide by fourteen
miles long, and its shores are almost everywhere fringed with man-
groves, while mangrove islands line its southern shore.

Grand Inlet—See Caleta Grande.

Guanabana.—(Misspelled ‘‘ Guanawana”’ by Messrs. Bangs and
Zappey). The name applied toa small tract of land just east of Santa
Rosalia Lagoon, visited by Mr. Zappey.

Hato.——tThe site of a house on the trail about midway between
Bogarona and Caleta Grande, on the “‘ south coast,”’ south of Siguanea
Bay. A few birds were collected here by Mr. Link, who reports
that the surrounding country is all jungle.

Hospital—More properly El Hospital, which see.

Jacksonville —The name applied to a small settlement on the “ south
coast,’ about midway between Caleta Grande and Caleta Cocodrilos,
visited by Mr. Link.

Jucaro.—A landing on the south bank of the river of the same name,
used by the steamer plying between the Isle of Pines and Cuba.
Visited by Mr. Zappey.

La Ceiba.—A fine plantation, about four miles west-southwest of
Santa Fé, referred to by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey. The name is
applied also, in a larger sense, to the original tract of which this is a
part.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 165

Laguna de Piedras.—A large lagoon, in character much resembling
the Cienaga, situated in the southern portion of the island not far from
Pasadita, and visited by Mr. Link on one occasion.

Laguna Grande.—The exact position of this lagoon, which was
visited by Mr. Zappey, is not ascertainable, but it is evidently near
Santa Fé, since birds were shot at both places on the same day,
April 21.

La Vegg.—A contraction, used by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, of
San Francisco de la Vega, which see.

Los Almacigos.—An extensive tract lying west of the town of Santa
Fé, the name being more particularly applied to the old plantation
situated near the center of the tract in question. Referred to by
Messrs. Bangs and Zappey merely as ‘‘ Almacigos.”’

Los Indios.—A town-site along the lower course of the river of the
same name, in the southwestern part of the main island. This locality
was very thoroughly worked by Mr. Link, it being his headquarters,
from which excursions were made to surrounding sections, during the
greater part of his stay in the island. There are extensive marshes
in the vicinity, also areas of dry. pasture-land, jungle, pine-woods,
etc., with growths of mangrove along the river for a considerable dis-
tance from its mouth, and lining a larger salt-water lagoon which lies
just back of the coast to the southward. This diversity of conditions
makes the locality an ideal one for collecting birds.

Los Tres Hermanos Mountains.—A name applied by Mr. Read to
the three northernmost peaks of the Casas range, close to Nueva
Gerona.

Majagua River.—See Rio de la Majagua.

Mal Pais.—The name applied to the region along the river of the
same name, visited by Mr. Zappey.

‘‘ Managua.”’—A misspelling of Manigua.

Manigua.—A famous plantation along the Rio de las Nuevas, a
few miles above McKinley, visited by Mr. William Palmer in 1900,
in which year it was abandoned.

Mc Kinley.—A town-site, with a number of scattering houses, along
the Rio de las Nuevas, a few miles from its mouth. It is a locality
frequently mentioned in Mr. Read’s articles.

Morrillo del Diablo.—An island off the north coast, east of the
high promontory, Punta del Colombo, and famous asa resort of the
Florida Cormorant.

166 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

New River.—See Rio de las Nuevas.

Nueva Gerona.—The capital, port of entry, and chief town of the
island, situated in the northern part, on the west bank of the Rio
Sierra de Casas. It was officially founded in 1830, and now has a
population of about twelve hundred. The land in the vicinity of the
town is cleared for the most part and some of it is under cultivation,
but there remain considerable wooded areas at the base of the Casas
Mountains immediately to the westward. Most of the specimens
labeled by Mr. Link as coming from ‘‘ Nueva Gerona” were really
secured on the slopes and bases of the Casas and Caballos Mountains,
or else along the river above the town. The locality was worked
also by Messrs. Palmer and Riley during their visit in 1900, and by
Dr. Gundlach in 1854.

Nuevas River.—See Rio de las Nuevas.

Pasadita.—The site of a house which formerly stood on the south
shore of the Cienaga, just west of the Paso de Piedras. This house
was destroyed in the hurricane of 1910, and at the time of Mr. Link’s
visit in 1913 the owner had built a new one on the other side of the
Cienaga. Mr. Zappey did some collecting here in 1904.

Paso de Piedras.—The name given to a stretch of ground about
midway of the Cienaga de Lanier, where only it is possible to cross
from the main island to the southern part. Even during the dry
season the water here is from one to three feet deep, with occasional
dry islands.

Pine River.—See Arroyo del Pino.

Placer de Playa Larga.—The name applied to an extensive area of
beach and shallows on the southeastern shore of the “ south coast.”
Called ‘“‘ Plaza Larga’”’ by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey.

“Plaza Larga.’’—See Placer de Playa Larga.

Port Mc Kinley.—A landing a few miles above the mouth of the
Rio de las Nuevas, referred to by Mr. Read.

Pueblo Nuevo.—The name given to the inferior ‘

’

“native ’’ suburb,
on the western outskirts of Nueva Gerona. Referred to by Messrs.
Bangs and Zappey. .
Punta del Colombo.—A high promontory jutting out into the sea,
forming the termination of the Sierra de Caballos.
Punta del Este-——The easternmost point of the “ south coast.’” There
is an area of sandy beach here, while on the south exposure the same

”

coral rock prevails as is found all over the ‘“ south coast ” in general.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 167

Very few birds, however, were noticed here on the occasion of Mr.
Link’s visit, March 22 and 23, 1913. Mr. Zappey seems to have
penetrated thus far on his second expedition, since the locality is
mentioned once in his report.

Punta del Potrero.—The easternmost point of the northern or main
island.

Punta de la Bibijagua.—A point on the northeastern coast of the
island.

Punta Primera de Salinas.—A point on the coast, east of Punta
de la Bibijagua, which is probably the locality referred to by Messrs.
Bangs and Zappey under the name “ Salina.’’ It is probably the
same as Rincon Lagoon, so called by Mr. Link.

Punta Frances.—See Cabo Frances.

Rincon Lagoon.—A large lagoon adjacent to the coast, east of Bibi-
jagua, visited by Mr. Link, and probably the same as the locality
called ‘‘Salina’’ by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey. For a fuller de-
scription see page 152.

Rio de la Majagua (Majagua River)—A small river in the south-
western part of the main island, northwest of Los Indios, visited by
Mr. Link on several occasions. Like all the rivers of this part, its
lower course is fringed with mangroves.

Rio de las Nuevas ( Nuevas or New River).—The longest river in
the island, draining a large part of the central and northwestern sec-
tion. Itis too shallow, however, to permit the ascent of any but small
vessels, and is fringed with mangroves as far up as the town of
McKinley, beyond which the jungle comes to the water’s edge.

Rio del Mal Pais.—One of the tributaries of the Rio Jucaro, rising
near the center of the main island, and flowing in a northeast direction.

Rio Jucaro.—A good-sized river in the northeastern part of the
main island, formed by the junction, near Jucaro, of several smaller
streams.

“ Rio” Santiago.—See Arroyo Santiago.

Rio Sierra de Casas (Casas River).—A river in the northern part of
the main island, navigable for small steamers for about two miles from
its mouth, or to the town of Nueva Gerona.

“ Salina.”—See Punta Primera de Salinas.

San Francisco de la Vega.—An unsurveyed tract adjoining the
Cienaga, visited in 1904 by Mr. Zappey, who refers to it merely as
pilba, Vieran:

168 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

San Juan.—An extensive tract of land in the eastern part of the
main island. The name is also applied, in a more restricted sense, to
the old Garcia homestead, the former headquarters of the tract. It
is mentioned by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey as a collecting-station.

Santa Ana.—A tract of land about four miles west of Santa Rosalia,
where Mr. Link found a few species of water-birds at a small lagoon
on one occasion.

Santa Barbara.—The name originally applied to a tract of about
fifteen thousand acres, lying west of the Rio de las Nuevas, but more
recently given to a settlement in its south-central part. As used by
Mr. Read, the name refers to the tract, but both the tract and the
town were formerly called West McKinley by the promoting land-
company.

Santa Barbara Mountain.—See Cerro de Santa Barbara.

Santa Fé.—The oldest settlement on the island, situated on the
river of the same name, in the east-central part.

Santa Rosalia.—A town-site in the northeastern part of the island,
about halfway between Nueva Gerona and Santa Fé.

Santa Rosalia Lagoon.—A large fresh-water lake, situated a short
distance northwest of Columbia, close to the Caballos Mountains.
The water is shallow, and during the dry season the lake is of course
much reduced in extent. The shores are muddy, and support a rank
growth of grasses and sedges. Several species of water- birds were
encountered here by Mr. Zappey and Mr. Link.

Santa Sevilla—This locality, mentioned by Messrs. Bangs and
Zappey, cannot be found on any mapconsulted. Possibly it is an
error for “ Santa Cecilla.”’

Sierra de Caballos ( Caballos Mountains) —A mountain ridge in the
northern part of the main island, east of Nueva Gerona, running north
and south, parallel with the Rio Sierra de Casas, and terminating
in a headland on the coast known as Punta del Colombo. For a fuller
description see page 149.

Sierra de Casas ( Casas Mountains).—A ridge lane west of the town
of Nueva Gerona, and about two and one-half miles in length, from
north to south. See description on page 149.

Sierra de la Cafiada ( Catiada Mountains).—An elevated ridge in the
southwestern part of the main island, rising to a height of nine
hundred and eighty-five feet (fide O. E. Jennings). For a further
description see page 149. Visited by both Mr. Read and Mr. Link.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 169

Siguanea.—A town-site at the southwestern extremity of the main
island. As the name is used by Mr. Link, it covers the coast in the
immediate vicinity, and the western end of the Cienaga for a distance
of several miles.

Siguanea Bay.—See Ensenada de la Siguanea.

Vivijagua.—See Bibsjagua.

West Mc Kinley—A name used by the promoting land-company for
the tract and settlement on the west side of the Rio de las Nuevas,
later on called Santa Barbara, which see. Many of Mr. Read’s
observations were made here.

LIsTt OF SPECIES.

The order of the present list follows that laid down for the higher
groups by Mr. Robert Ridgway in the first volume of his Birds of
North and Middle America. The actual sequence of the species,
however, so far as it has appeared in the body of that work, has been
reversed, and in the groups not yet treated by that author arranged as
well as may be to correspond. In matters of nomenclature the aim
has been to follow the latest and best authorities, save only where the
facts seem to justify a different course. While certain of the rulings
of the International Commission on Zoélogical Nomenclature, as for
example the one which requires the original spelling to be followed in
the duplication of the final ‘‘i’’ in patronymic names, are decidedly
objectionable to the writer, he proposes to waive his personal preju-
dices for the sake of uniformity. Such species as in the judgment of
the writer are not fully authenticated as birds of the Isle of Pines are
included in their proper places, but are printed in smaller type, and
without a number prefixed. All measurements are in millimeters;
and in every case the length of the bill is that of the exposed culmen.
Free use has been made of Mr. Ridgway’s Color Standards and Color
Nomenclature in discussing color variations and preparing descrip-
tions. As regards the names in the reference lists under the several
species, it should be explained that variations in orthography or
abbreviation do not appear under separate entries, all such having
been combined under one head, so long as the intention of the author
is clear. The formal citation of vernacular names in this connection
is of course defensible, in a faunal paper such as this, on the ground of
tending to completeness. The locality names in the references have
for the most part been given in corrected form.

170 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

1. Colymbus dominicus dominicus Linnezus. SAatntT DOMINGO GREBE.

“‘Least Grebe’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 15, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of

Pines, Dec. 25, 1909); XXVIII, to11, 114 (West McKinley).

Colymbus dominicus READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ror, 13 (1. of Pines).

One specimen: Caleta Grande.

This example, the only one observed, was shot in a small lagoon
on November 28. It is an adult male in full winter dress, with a
white throat. In size it agrees with Cuban specimens, measuring as
follows: wing, 96; culmen, 26. Mr. Read has recorded the species in
the northwestern part of the island, and writes that he shot a specimen
April 14, 1910, along the Nuevas River. It is evidently not a very
common bird on the island, and by reason of its secretive habits readily
eludes observation.

2. Podilymbus podiceps (Linneus). PIED-BILLED GREBE.

Podilymbus podiceps BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 184 (Nueva
Gerona, breeding, fide Palmer & Riley; Laguna Grande, March).—REaD,
Odlogist, XXVIII, tori, 11 (I. of Pines).

‘‘Pied-billed Grebe’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 102 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines, May 7).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, 1911, 113 (West McKinley).

One specimen: Los Indios.

Recently Mr. Outram Bangs has described the Pied-billed Grebe
of the Antilles as a distinct subspecies, Podilymbus podiceps antillarum
(Proceedings New England Zodlogical Club, IV, 1913, 89). After an
examination of the type-specimen and certain other material I find
myself unable to indorse this separation on any grounds whatever.
The type is no smaller than a female specimen from northern Brevard
County, Florida, in the collection of the Carnegie Museum, taken at
just about the same date. Females of this species, besides being
smaller, seem to have on an average a more restricted black throat-
patch than males, and I have reason to believe that the black marking
on the side of the bill is a variable character, dependent largely upon
season, and not especially correlated with locality. A breeding speci-
men from Great Inagua, Bahama Islands, is certainly in nowise dis-
tinguishable from continental examples. According to Baird, Brewer,
& Ridgway (Water Birds of North America, II, 1884, 441), South
American examples are not tangibly different, contrary to what
might be expected in the case of such a wide-ranging species.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 171

There are only a few records for this species for the Isle of Pines,
where it is evidently not a common bird. Mr. Link did not meet
with it at all, the single example recorded above having been forwarded
to the Carnegie Museum by Mr. Frederic F. Baggesen, who secured
it at Los Indios on October 16, 1913. Mr. Zappey saw none in 1904,
and but two in March, 1902, at Laguna Grande. That the species
breeds on the island, however, is attested by Mr. Riley, who says that
he found an adult and three downy young of fair size at Santa Rosalia

Lagoon, southeast of Nueva Gerona, early in July, 1900. ‘“ One of
the downy young was secured, but the other two and the adult eluded
me, as they could swim and dive faster than I could wade.’ Mr. Read

enters this species on his list as a rare resident.

3. Anhinga anhinga (Linneus). WATER TURKEY.

Anhinga anhinga Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 84 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 310 (I. of Pines).—BANcS & ZApPEY, Am.
Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 185 (Nueva Gerona [ fide Palmer & Riley] and the Cienaga).
—READ, OGdlogist, XXVI, 1909, 165 (Nuevas River; habits); XXVIII, 1o11,
tr (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 20, 1913 (descr.; habits).

“Anhinga’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, I911, 6, 10 (Nuevas River),
113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines).

Although recorded by almost all the observers who have studied
the avifauna of the Isle of Pines, the Anhinga or Water Turkey does
not seem to be a very common bird there. Mr. Zappey found it only
in the region of the Cienaga, where he says that individuals might be
seen almost any day, perched on dead branches of trees. A single
adult bird, still retaining some of the lengthened feathers of the
crown and nape, was shot by Mr. Link on the Los Indios River on
December 18. He saw others also on the Majagua River, and near
Siguanea, at the eastern end of the Cienaga. There are, however,
numerous records from the northern part of the island as well, to which
may be added those of individuals seen near Bibijagua and Santa
Ana by Mr. Link. Mr. Read has given us an entertaining account of
the fishing habits of this species as observed by him on the Nuevas
River. The natives consider the flesh of this bird very palatable.

4. Phalacrocoraxauritus floridanus (Audubon). FLORIDA CORMORANT.

Phalacrocorax floridanus Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).—GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 305 (I. of Pines).

72 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 85 (I. of
Pines, in geog. distr.).—-BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 185 (I. of
Pines, coastwise).—(?) READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of Pines).—ReEap,
I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Bird I., Siguanea Bay).

“Florida Cormorant’’ (?) READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines, Dec. 6).—(?) READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); (?) XXVIII,
Ig1I, 10 (Nuevas River, May 17), 146 (Morrillo del Diablo); XXX, 1913, 123
(north coast, off Nuevas River), (?) 125 (Santa Barbara), (?) 130 (I. of Pines),
(?) 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).

Nine specimens: Los Indios.

Only two of these are adults in full black glossy plumage, neither
of which, however, although taken in the breeding season, show any
sign whatever of lateral crests. One specimen is abnormal in possess-
ing fourteen rectrices.

Cormorants of this species are common all along the coast and about
the outlying cays; in fact, it isin such situations one of the most abun-
dant and characteristic water-birds. It breeds in colonies at certain
points, the nests being built in the mangroves at a low elevation, and
composed merely of a few sticks. Two eggs are the usual comple-
ment; they are dull bluish green in color, with rough, chalky shells.
The species seems to have an extended breeding season, eggs and downy
young having been found at a colony in Bird Island, in Siguanea Bay,
at such widely separated dates as October 18 and April 16. At
another colony, in a lagoon south of Los Indios, eggs were secured on
October 7, and a month later downy young, possibly two weeks old.
The island of Morrillo del Diablo, on the north coast, off Punta del
Colombo, is another favorite resort of this species. Although partial
to the salt water, individuals occasionally ascend the rivers for a little
distance, one having been shot on January 21 on the Los Indios River,
three miles from its mouth.

It is possible that some of Mr. Read’s records above quoted may
refer to the following species.

5. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus (Brandt). MEXICAN CORMORANT.
Phalacrocorax vigua mexicana (sic) BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 185

(Pasadita, May; meas.; crit.).

One specimen: Bibijagua.

The only one observed by Mr. Link was shot near the coast at
Bibijagua on July 4. Mr. Zappey secured a specimen at Pasadita
in May. ‘These two occurrences are at present the only certain records

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 173

for the island, where it evidently is not common. Unlike P. auritus
floridanus, it is wont to frequent fresh as well as salt water. Speci-
mens are indistinguishable from typical examples from Mexico. Its
distribution in the West Indies is apparently restricted to Cuba, the
Isle of Pines, and Watlings Island of the Bahaman group.

6. Pelecanus occidentalis Linneus. BROWN PELICAN.

Pelecanus fuscus PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 85 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BAnGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 185 (‘‘south coast’’).

“Brown Pelican’? REeap, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 10 (Nuevas River), 13 (I. of
Pines); XXX, 1913, 131 (“‘south coast’’).

Pelecanus occidentalis READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Caleta Grande).
Six specimens: Caleta Grande.

Four different plumages are represented. There are two in juvenal
dress (November 26), with white under parts and grayish heads and
necks. Two others taken at the same time are obviously immature,
showing the neck-pattern of the adult in brownish gray instead of
chestnut, the under parts, however, being dark-colored. The series
available for study being insufficient to illustrate the sequence of
plumages in this species, I am a little uncertain as to the exact age of
these two examples, but believe them to be in first nuptial dress,
assuming that the species breeds in the second year, or, if it does not,
in a plumage which corresponds to this in time. Both of these speci-
mens show fresh gray feathers mixed with the worn brown ones char-
acteristic of the juvenal plumage, the moult affecting the rectrices.
also. There are two spring specimens (April 18 and 23), one of which
has the back of the neck chestnut, while in the other the head and
neck all around are white. This latter corresponds to the description
of the adult in winter plumage, and compares favorably with non-
breeding specimens from Costa Rica and Colombia. Mr. Ogilvie-
Grant (Catalogue Birds British Museum, X XVI, 1808, 478), however,
says that “‘ nearly mature ’’ birds ‘‘ do not assume the dark velvety-
brown neck in the breeding-season, these parts remaining white like
those of the adult in winter-plumage.’’ But, if I am correct as to the
stage of plumage represented by the immature birds described
above, it would be strange indeed to find them assuming the pattern
of the adult for the first breeding-season, only to lose it for the second.
It is well known that this species has an extensive breeding-season,
nesting along the Cuban coast, according to Gundlach, from June to

174 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

September, while on Pelican Island, Florida, two broods are said to
be raised, one in May and one in September. The difference in
the time of nesting would readily account for the presence of birds in
winter or non-breeding plumage at the same season as those in full
nuptial dress.

Although the Brown Pelican has been occasionally noted in the
northern part of the Isle of Pines, it is far more numerous about the
“south coast.’”” Mr. Link found it to be very common at Caleta
Grande on November 26 and 27, and again in April, fishing in the
shallow water. Individuals were noted also at Cabo Frances, Los
Indios, the Majagua River, and at Punta del Este, at the southeastern
corner of the island. It is evident that the breeding-place of these
birds must be somewhere along this coast, but it was not discovered,
nor did any of the natives seem to be aware of its location. Probably
it is in some retired inlet or lagoon, or perhaps on one of the isolated
cays not yet visited by any ornithologist.

7. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin. WHITE PELICAN.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 85 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.), 136 (I. of Pines, ex ?).— BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX,
1905, 185 (1. of Pines, ex Cory).

The claim of the White Pelican to a place in the present list rests

solely on the authority of Mr. Cory, as above. I have been unable
to discover upon what grounds his record is based. There is but one
authentic record for Cuba, and if it occurs in the Isle of Pines at all
it can only be as a very rare and irregular winter visitor.

8. Fregata magnificens Matthews. MAN-0’-WAR-BIRD.

Fregata aquila Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, ide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 85 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—
BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 185 (Manigua, fide Palmer & Riley,
Santa Fé, and ‘‘south coast’’).

‘Frigate Bird’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 13, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of
Pines).—REapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Siguanea Bay).

Fifteen specimens: Bird Island.

This species, although apt to be seen flying over on occasion almost
anywhere in the island, inland as well as coastwise, is not known to
breed locally, except on a small mangrove cay near the head of Siguanea
Bay, known as Bird Island. Here a colony of several hundred indi-
viduals is established, occupying an extensive area on the south side
of the island, while the Florida Cormorants are confined to another

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 175

part. This colony was first visited on October 18 and 19. The adult
birds proved to be rather shy on this occasion, but a series of young
in juvenal plumage was secured, some still showing remains of the
natal down in places. Although practically fully grown, some of the
voung birds were still confined to the nest, and could only be forced to
leave by the use of considerable persuasion. Numerous dead young
were noticed, caught by the neck in the fork of a branch, where they
had fallen out of the nests, which are so small and frail that one
wonders how the young contrive to remain in them at all. Should
they drop into the water below they at once fall victims to the waiting
crocodiles. A second visit to this same spot, made on April 16 and 17,
found the birds with eggs and downy young, some of which were
secured, as well as a series of adults. Both sexes incubate, and the
brooding birds are very loath to leave their eggs or young. The half
of the birds off duty at any given time are wont to keep swinging about
overhead in graceful circles, when not actually engaged in fishing.

g. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). BITTERN.

Botaurus lentiginosus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 89 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—GuUNDLACcH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 192 (I. of Pines).—BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 188 (I. of Pines, ex Cory and Gundlach).—CookE,
Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 45, 1913, 26 (I. of Pines, ex Gundlach).—ReEap, I. of
Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines [ex Cory and Gundlach]).

A winter visitant, apparently rare, the only records being the in-
definite ones cited above, which doubtless all rest on the authority
of Gundlach. The species has been recorded as a casual or accidental
visitant to Jamaica and Porto Rico, and according to Gundlach is not
rare in western Cuba, so that further records from the Isle of Pines
may be anticipated.

10. Ixobrychus exilis exilis (Gmelin). LEAstT BITTERN.

Ardetta exilis BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 188 (Cienaga).

“Least Bittern’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58, and XX VII, 1910, 15, and XXVIII, rort, 7 (I.
of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River); XXVIII, 1911, 113 (West McKin-
ley).

Ixobrychus exilis READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of
Pines).—REapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines).—REapD, Bird-
Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

One specimen: Siguanea.
April 28 is the date of capture, which at least raises a strong presump-
tion of this being a breeding bird, contrary to what Messrs. Bangs and

176 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Zappey indicate. The specimen, an adult male, is rather smaller
than the average (wing, 110 mm.), although it is in fresh plumage;
its posterior under parts are much whiter, in fact, pure white medi-
ally down to the under tail-coverts. Examination of a considerable
series of this species, however, shows that such pale birds are not
localized in their distribution, but occur at such widely separated points
as Sacramento, California (No. 33,353, Collection Museum Compara-
tive Zodlogy), Fort Snelling, Minnesota (No. 189,493, Collection U. S.
National Museum), and Lake Harney, Florida (No. 152,913, Collec-
tion U. S. National Museum), so that they can have no geographical
significance. One other individual was seen by Mr. Link, at Los
Indios early in October, while Mr. Read sets it down in his list as a
common winter resident. In a letter from Mr. Charles T. Ramsden,
of Guantanamo, Cuba, he expresses the opinion that it would be
very difficult to distinguish breeding examples from winter-resident
birds (if, indeed, the northern birds come to Cuba at all), for the reason
that he has found partly incubated eggs on December 10, while it is
improbable that a specimen shot May Io was other than a breeding
bird. Mr. Zappey found the Least Bittern common in the Cienaga
in March, 1902. Jamaica seems to be its southern breeding limit in
the Antilles.

11. Ardea occidentalis repens Bangs and Zappey. CUBAN GREAT
WHITE HERON.

Ardea repens BANGS & ZApPpEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 186 (Cienaga and cays
off coast; orig. descr.; type now in coll. Mus. Comp. Zodél.).—ALLEN, Auk,
XXII, 1905, 329, in text (review).—EpiTors, Ibis, 1905, 631, in text (review).
—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines, rare).—
Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines, rare; descr.).

“Great White Heron’’ REApD, Odlogist, XXVI, 19090, 75 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines, Mar. 13).

“Cuban White Heron”’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, I910, 5, and XXVIII, 1911, Io
(Nuevas River), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River), 125 (Santa
Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines, Mar. 13). :

Ardea herodias repens BANGS, Auk, XXXII, 1915, 484, part (I. of Pines; crit.).

One specimen: El Bobo Lagoon.

MEASUREMENTS.
No. Sex. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus.
Te2At Oy Clenaca.wOlseines meee eee 440 156 I44 172
AIZ052 69) BISBobo lacoons lof eines eens 413 152 I2I 154

1 Collection E. A. and O. Bangs. Type.
2 Collection Carnegie Museum.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. leh

The measurements of this, the second specimen of this rare bird re-
corded from the Isle of Pines, show that it is smaller than the type.
Although apparently fully grown, it is certainly immature, as indicated
by the shreds of downy filaments still adhering to some of the feathers of
the occiput, and by the dark-colored upper mandible. The type-speci-
men, which has been examined in this connection, also looks like an im-
mature, or at least a non-breeding bird, having a dark upper mandible,
and lacking any trace of occipital, scapular, and jugular plumes. It
is of course to be expected that fully adult males in breeding dress
would average somewhat larger, and resemble the Florida bird in their
ornamentation. The smaller size being apparently the only char-
acter separating it from the latter, I prefer to let it stand as a sub-
species. My views regarding the specific distinctness of Ardea occi-
dentalis coincide with those of Mr. Oberholser ( Proceedings United
States National Museum, XLIII, 1912, 541), but it may be worth
while to point out that in the matter of size A. occidentalis occi-
dentalis bears exactly the same relation to A. occidentalis repens as does
A. herodias wardi to its West Indian representative, A. herodias adoxa
—a circumstance which may or may not be significant. Additional
specimens of the present form are naturally very desirable. The iris
in the specimen taken by Mr. Link is marked as “ straw-color.

This heron is rather rare throughout the island, and very shy and
difficult to approach. It is found mostly in the open marshy country,
where there is not enough cover to conceal the movements of the
hunter. The individual secured was surprised near El Bobo Lagoon,
northeast of McKinley, on March7. Another was repeatedly observed
in October and November along the Majagua River, but eluded all
efforts to approach it within gunshot. Towards the western end of
the Cienaga as many as three were observed together on one occasion
(November 14). One was noted flying overhead near Nueva Gerona.
Although it may readily be distinguished in life from the Egret by its
superior size, it is possible that some of Mr. Read’s records above
quoted may refer to the latter species. Messrs. Palmer and Riley

9

3 This was written before the appearance of Mr. Bangs’s recent paper (Auk,
XXXII, 1915, 481-484), in which he contends that Ardea occidentalis is merely a
white phase of Ardea herodias wardi. Although he presents no new evidence
bearing on the case, it must be admitted that the presumption in favor of his view
is by no means weak, reasoning by analogy. But it would seem to be a matter
which can be settled only by further and detailed observations in the field.

178 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

saw a few about the cays, and it is probable that the species breeds
on some of the more retired of these islands.

12. Ardea herodias adoxa Oberholser. West INDIAN BLUE HERON.

Ardea herodias (not of Linneus) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1851, 427 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 89 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.) —Bancs & Zappry, Am. Nat. XX XIX, 1905, 186 (cays off coast
and the Cienaga; crit.).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines,
not common; descr.).—READ, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

‘‘Ward’s Heron”’ (error) READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, rare);
XXVIII, ro1z1, 10 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley, rare); XXX, 1913,
123 (Pine River).

Ardea herodias adoxa OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLIII, 1912, 544 (I.
of Pines, in geog. distr.)—Cooker, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 45, 1913, 37 (I. of
Pines; crit.).

“Great Blue Heron’”’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 168 (Los
Indios).—ReEap, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Pine River).

Ardea herodias wardi? READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 11 (I. of Pines); XXX,
1913, 132 (Nuevas River).

Ardea herodias repens (not of Bangs and Zappey?) BANncs, Auk, XXXII, 1915, 484,
part (I. of Pines; crit.).

One specimen: Los Indios.

This bird, shot November 23, is in immature dress, with much more
rufescent suffusion below thanin any of the specimens of A. h. herodias
and A. h. wardi of the same age available for comparison, although no
especial difference in the color of the upper parts is observable. The
middle wing-coverts are old and worn, while the greater and most of
the lesser series are fresh. Without additional material I do not at-
tempt to discuss the claims of this particular form to recognition,
further than to state that it certainly cannot be confused with A. h.
wardt.

Great Blue Herons are rather common throughout the island, and
were noted at almost all the localities visited by Mr. Link, wherever
there was water. They unquestionably breed on certain of the out-
lying cays, whence young in the downy stage brought back by fisher-
men were examined. No nests were discovered on the mainland,
although there is no reason why the birds should not breed there upon
occasion. Mr. Read has also observed them frequently in the course
of his peregrinations in the northern part of the island, but his identi-
fication of the individuals seen as belonging to the Florida form is
obviously in error. He writes that he took but one specimen, which
he shot at Pine River on July 12, 19I1t.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 179

13. Herodias egretta (Gmelin). EGRET.
Ardea egretta Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 89 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
Herodias egretta GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 181 (I. of Pines).—Bancs &

ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 186 (I. of Pines, inland and coastwise; Nueva

Gerona, fide Palmer & Riley; La Vega; formerly abundant).—REAaD, Odlogist,

XXVIII, ott, 11, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines)—ReEApD, I. of Pines

News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines, rare; descr.).

**American Egret’’ RrEAp, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines)

—REaD, OGlogist, XXVI, 1909, 124, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

Three specimens: Pasadita.

Only one of these (No. 41,405, May 28) is in (worn) breeding dress.
The other two, shot on May 23, may also be adults, but they show no
signs of dorsal plumes.

On the Isle of Pines, as elsewhere throughout its range, the Egret
has suffered sadly from the persecution of the plume-hunters, until its
numbers are now but a fraction of what they formerly were. The
few birds which remain, although protected by law, are shot at by the
natives surreptitiously at every opportunity, until they have become
so shy that it is now only by chance that they can be approached at
all. As many as seven together were seen on one occasion at a lagoon
east of the mouth of the Nuevas River, but they easily eluded the
efforts of four gunners to get within range. It is not known precisely
where the local breeding-grounds of this species are at the present time.
Mr. Zappey speaks of seeing Egrets on the coast as well as inland, but
Mr. Link did not observe any except about fresh water.

14. Dichromanassa rufescens (Gmelin). REDDISH EGRET.

Ardea rufescens PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

A single individual of this species was identified by Mr. Link in a
salt-water marsh at Los Indios on October 7, but eluded capture.
Poey’s record above quoted seems to be the only other known instance
of its occurrence on the island.

15. Florida cerulea (Linneus). LirrL—E BLUE HERON.

Ardea cerulea PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 90 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Florida cerulea GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 186 (I. of Pines).

“Little Blue Heron” Rreap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, Oodlogist, XX VI, I909, 75, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, common);
XXVII, 1910, 5,and XXVIII, rort, 6, 10, and XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River);
XXVIII, 1911, 113 (West McKinley), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 125, 127
(Santa Barbara).

180 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Florida cerulea cerulescens BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 187
(Guanabana, the Cienaga, and seacoast, common).—ReEaD, Odlogist, XXVIII,
IQII, 11, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, I911, 44
(McKinley).—ReEap, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines; descr.).
Eleven specimens: Los Indios and Majagua River.

The series comprises seven white and four blue birds, but only one
of the latter is without any scattering white feathers. These blue
individuals, together with another from Porto Rico, are quite indis-
tinguishable from Florida examples, so far as I can see. Mr. Riley
(Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Quarterly Issue, XLVII,
1904, 279) has adopted the name cerulescens of Latham, based on
birds from Cayenne, as the subspecific appellation of the Little Blue
Herons of the Greater and Lesser Antilles and of Central and South
America, alleging that they are much darker than those of Florida
and farther north. I have not seen any Cayenne examples, but can
find no characters to distinguish Colombian birds, while the series of
Florida specimens studied certainly shows a considerable degree of
individual variation in depth of coloration. But as such variation in
the West Indian birds is fully as great, there is no reason for thinking
that it has any geographical significance.

All observers agree that the Little Blue Heron is the commonest
species of its tribe in the island, both on the coast, cays, and in the
inland districts, wherever there is water. It is particularly numerous
in the Cienaga, however, and is also partial to the brackish lagoons
along the coast. According to Mr. Link’s experience, the blue and
white phases are about equally common at all seasons. He found
several nests in process of construction early in May, all in the man-
groves along the Los Indios River. Except in the breeding-season,
the species was frequently observed in small parties, wading about on
the edges of lagoons, the margins of rivers, and the open marshes.
Not being persecuted as are some of the other herons, it is as a rule
not nearly so shy.

16. Egretta thula thula (Molina). SNowy EGRET.

Leucophoyx candidissima BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 187 (Jucaro
and the Cienaga).

““Snowy Heron’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines); XXVIII,
1911, 6 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125, 127 (Santa
Barbara), 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona).

Herodias candidissima READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 11 (I. of Pines).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE [SLE OF PINES. 181

Egretta candidissima READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines).
Ardea candidissima READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines; descr.).
Messrs. Bangs and Zappey state that “ the Snowy Heron is now very
rare on the Isle of Pines, having been killed off for its plumes. One
was seen in the Cienaga, and at Jucaro a native had a wounded bird
that was kept alive in confinement.’’ Aside from this, the only records
are those by Mr. Read, above quoted. He writes that he took a
specimen December I, 1909, on the Nuevas River, and that he has
since seen several along this same stream. But the possibility of
confusing this species with the white phase of the Little Blue Heron is
so great that it is very doubtful if it occurs as frequently as a perusal
of Mr. Read’s notes would lead us to believe. Mr. Link, indeed,
made a special search for this species, going in pursuit of every small
white heron that he saw, but all turned out to be Little Blue Herons
in the white phase.

17. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis (Gosse). LouIsIANA HERON,

Ardea leucogastey Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Ardea tricolor ruficollis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 89 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).

Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 183 (I. of Pines).—
Bancs & Zappry, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 187 (seacoast, Cienaga, etc.).—
HELLMAyYR, Nov. Zodl., XIII, 1906, 50 (I. of Pines,; meas.).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, 1911, 11, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines).—REap, I. of Pines News,
VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (1. of Pines; descr.).

**Louisiana Heron”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines); XXVIII,
torr, 10 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa
Barbara).

Hydranassa tricoloy (not of Miiller) Reap, Bird-Lore, XVI, I914, 50 (Santa
Barbara).

Four specimens: Los Indios and Bird Island.

Two of the Los Indios examples, dated October 1 and 4 respectively,
are in worn breeding dress, while a third, taken May 8, is in full nuptial
plumage. The specimen from Bird Island, shot on October 18, is in
juvenal plumage, the neck and breast being deep rufous, and the
pileum, hind neck, and flanks still bearing remains of the natal down.
All of these specimens have rather more rufous on the throat than the
average Florida bird, possibly indicating divergence in the direction
of the subspecies rufimentum, described from Trinidad by Mr. Hell-
mayr.

182 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Although not so common in the Isle of Pines as the Little Blue
Heron, this bird is still fairly numerous. It is seldom found away
from the salt and brackish waters of the coastal lagoons and the
lower courses of the rivers, where it may often be found in company
with the Little Blue Heron. Mr. Zappey secured a single specimen
in the Cienaga, but the species was observed there by Mr. Link only
at its western end, near Siguanea. No nests were found, but it prob-
ably breeds in May, as does the Little Blue Heron.

18. Butorides virescens cubanus Oberholser. CUBAN GREEN HERON.

Ardea virescens (not of Linnzeus) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Butorides virescens maculata (not of Boddaert) BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat.,
XXXIX, 1905, 188 (Bibijagua and Santa Fé; crit.) —THAYER & BANGS, Bull.
Mus. Comp. Zoél., XLVI, 1905, 142 (Bibijagua and Santa Fé; meas.; crit.).—
READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, to1t1, 44 (McKinley).—REaD, Odlogist, XXXVI TOT Tr.
II, and XXX, 1913, 132 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27,
1913 (I. of Pines, common; descr.).

““Green Heron’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1900, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, 1911, 146 (Bibijagua);
XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River).

“Southern Green Heron’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, roto, 5, and XXVIII, torr,
6, 10 (Nuevas River), 3 (McKinley), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 127
(Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

“Little Green Heron’”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, r911, 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain,
etc.).

Butorides virescens cubanus OBERHOLSER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLII, tor2, 557
(Santa Fé, Bibijagua, and Nueva Gerona; meas.; crit.).

Butorides virescens brunescens (not Ardea brunescens Lembeye ?) BaAncs, Auk,
XXXII, 1915, 484, part (I. of Pines; crit.).

Six specimens: Los Indios, Nueva Gerona, Jacksonville, and Si-
guanea.

MEASUREMENTS.

No. Sex: Locality. Wing. ‘Tail. Bill. Tarsus,
412714 2 Jacksonvillesie of Piness. 2. ee eee 166 61 64 48
413084 of SictanealeotePinesee ane eee ‘165 61 64 47
30054* mic. | GuayamasPortoRiconsy eee I79 61 58 53.
3020540 On ACT UntaSs pPOLtonhi compen atria ee 175 64 54 47
393054 Q WiiadowPortosRicoMeeneie ae ee ee 164 58 56 45
28603 om (one) evil, ti ni GUC een nee ene 181 70 61 AO
2800455 (Git) Miarciniq( efee ae ee see eee 179 64 56 53
Eight adult males from eastern U. S., average.......... 179 65 61 5r

4 Collection Carnegie Museum.
5 Collection Museum Comparative Zodlogy.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 183

Only two of the above are fully mature; the others all show more or
less brownish suffusion on the posterior under parts, a condition very
well marked in No. 39,932 (Nueva Gerona, December 31), which
approaches B. brunescens very closely in this respect, and is moreover
entirely purplish brown above.

The two adults, together with a few examples from other localities,
included for comparison, measure as shown in table on page 182.

In discussing the relationships of the Bahaman form of Butorides
virescens not long since (ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEuM, VII, 1911, 410),
I ventured the opinion that the West Indian bird was scarcely or not
at all separable from the typical form. More recently, since the
receipt of the specimens above recorded, I have been led to look into
the question anew, in the light of the rather startling conclusions
reached by Mr. Oberholser in his late revision of the races of this
species (Proceedings U. S. National Museum, XLII, 1912, 529-577).
It is not my purpose at this time to critically review the paper in
question, lacking as I do sufficient material to serve as a basis for a
full discussion, but merely to call attention to several points suggested
by the study and comparison of these specimens. Mr. Riley (Smuth-
sonian Miscellaneous Collections, Quarterly Issue, XLVII, 1904, 278)
Was apparently the first to note the somewhat smaller size and slightly
different coloration of the Green Heron of the West Indies, for which
he adopted the subspecific name maculata Boddaert. Later Mr.
Clark (Proceedings Boston Society of Natural History, XXXII, 1905,
234) and Messrs. Thayer and Bangs (Bulletin Museum Comparative
Zoblogy, XLVI, 1905, 143) confirmed Mr. Riley’s observations as to
the smaller size from independent investigation. Mr. Oberholser
now proposes to split up the birds from the Greater and Lesser Antilles
into no less than ezght different races, based on slight variations in
color and relative proportions, the only alternative (so he claims)
being to merge all the West Indian birds, including even those from
the Bahama Islands, with true wivescens. Our present concern is
with the bird of the Isle of Pines, which, together with those of Haiti
and Porto Rico, Mr. Oberholser refers to the Cuban form, which he
calls cubanus. This is described as smaller than true virescens, with
the neck and sides of the head usually lighter, more rufescent, less
purplish, and the abdomen also averaging paler. From maculatus,
which name is restricted to the bird of Martinique, it is said to differ
in its smaller size (except the bill), and in its darker, less purplish neck

184 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

and sides of head. The natural inference would be, therefore, that
maculatus and virescens approximate each other in their characters!
Through the courtesy of Mr. Bangs I have before me the two adult
specimens from Martinique upon which Mr. Oberholser has based his
comparisons. They prove to be very poor skins, with necks unduly
stretched—a feature which makes the colors of the feathers of this
part appear lessintense. The measurements (which I have confirmed),
it will be noted, are fully up to those of true virescens, and, although
the neck and sides of the head are slightly paler, it is true, than the
average specimen of that form, it is easy to match their colors in a
series. Even on the assumption that additional material from
Martinique would bear out the trifling differences indicated, formal
separation would seem scarcely justifiable. Admitting that Green
Herons from the West Indies (collectively considered) average slightly
smaller and paler than those from eastern North America, and are
thus possibly worthy of subspecific recognition, it is confusing to find
the only specimens from the type-locality of maculatus, the earliest
name available for the birds of this region, differing so little. Two
male examples from Porto Rico, also, are larger, instead of smaller,
than the average. In short, the variation in size seems so great, on
the whole, and the range in color so subtle and inconstant in character,
even in specimens from the same locality, that it is only provisionally,
and with great reluctance, that I here recognize the Cuban and Porto
Rican bird as distinct subspecifically. In any case, it is certainly far
less trenchantly defined than the Bahaman race, contrary to Mr.
Oberholser’s implication. After a study of his paper it is difficult to
avoid the impression that he has carried subdivision too far. Surely
the use of trinomials, for which the American school of ornithologists
has contended so long, was never designed to cover such a case as
this. Even admitting that this is largely a matter of individual opin-
ion, it would nevertheless seem true as a general proposition that a
certain amount of variation ought to be allowed a given species
without thereby subjecting it to formal division. There are limits
in refinement beyond which it does not seem profitable to go, and while,
as previously remarked, I am not now in a position to go into further
details in this particular case, I suspect that the acquisition of fresh
material may eventually necessitate a revision of present conclusions.®

6 In this connection I may add that Dr. Thomas Barbour has advised me that
it is absolutely certain, from repeated and extensive observations, that neither the

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 185

The Cuban Green Heron is one of the most abundant of its tribe
in the Isle of Pines, where it prefers the fresh or brackish water of the
rivers or lagoons to the seacoast. In its habits it is not especially
different from the bird of the United States. Messrs. Palmer and Riley
found a nest near Nueva Gerona on July 8, containing two eggs on
the point of hatching. Nests in process of construction, believed to
belong to this species, were found by Mr. Link at Los Indios and Sigu-
anea in March and April, built in the mangroves over the water.

19. Butorides brunescens (Lembeye). CUBAN BRowN HERON.
Butorides brunescens BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 188 (Nueva

Gerona, fide Palmer and Riley).—OBERHOLSER, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,

XXV, 1912, 53 (Nueva Gerona; descr.; crit.).—CooKE, Bull. Biol. Survey,

No. 45, 1913, 60 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) READ, OGdlogist, XXX, 1913, 131

(I. of Pines), 132 (West Coast Section, 7. e., Santa Barbara).—READ, I. of Pines

News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (Los Indios and west coast, fairly common; rare in

interior; descr.)—READ, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

““Cuban Green Heron”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 13 (1. of Pines), 114 (West

McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara).

Butorides virescens brunescens BANGS, Auk. XXXII, r915, 484, part (I. of Pines;
crit.).

Five specimens: Los Indios and Nueva Gerona.

Two of these are adult males (October 9 and 28), one with many of
the scapular plumes glaucous gray, while in the other they are almost
entirely bottle-green. The other three specimens are young birds in
various stages of the postjuvenal moult, which involves only the body-
plumage and wing-coverts. In two specimens shot September 30
this moult is just beginning, but in a third, taken February 1, it is
far advanced. The iris is marked as “ light yellow.”

For a full account of this species the paper by Mr. Oberholser, above
quoted, should be consulted. While I agree with his conclusions as to
the status of this form it may be well to call attention again to the
brown-bellied specimen of Butorides virescens cubanus noted under the
head of that species, and which suggests an approach to the present
form.

Described originally from Cuba, where it was said by Gundlach to
be very rare, it has long been suspected to be merely a color-phase
Green Heron nor any other heron breeds on Swan Island, in the Caribbean Sea,
the few individuals which have been observed there being unquestionably migrants,
remaining for but a few days at a time. This circumstance of course disposes

: ; , : : ; '
definitely of Butorides virescens saturatus as a resident form peculiar to the island
in question.

186 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

of the Green Heron of that island, and as very little seems to have
been put on record concerning its habits, and as so few specimens have
found their way into collections, its true status has been open to con-
siderable doubt, the more so as dichromatism in this family is of such
frequent occurrence. Two specimens were taken by Messrs. Palmer
and Riley near Nueva Gerona, and after comparing these and a few
others from Cuba with examples of the various forms of Butorides
virescens, Mr. Oberholser is satisfied that they are specifically distinct.
Quite recently, however, Mr. Bangs, in a paper to which the reader is
referred above, re-asserts his views to the contrary, putting forth some
new and interesting evidence on the point at issue.

So far at least as the Isle of Pines is concerned, the present species
is far from being the rare bird it has hitherto been supposed to be.
Mr. Read has noted what he believes to have been this form on several
occasions, and Mr. Link found it not uncommon at Los Indios. Its
favorite haunts were in the mangroves along the seacoast, where it
contrived to keep well concealed, slipping through the roots when
disturbed in the manner of the Clapper Rail, instead of seeking to
escape by flight, as does the Cuban Green Heron under similar
circumstances. Its alarm-note or ‘‘ squawk,”’ too, is so different from
that of the other species as to be unmistakable. All of these points
in its life-history are interesting, tending to confirm its claim to specific
distinctness.

20. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Boddaert). BLACK-CROWNED
NicHtT HERON.

Nycticorax vulgaris POEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Nycticorax nycticorax nevius Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 90 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.)—BANncs & Zappry, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 188 (Bibijagua;
Poey’s record).—REAaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines; descr.).
—ReEabD, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Nycticorax nevius GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 193 (I. of Pines).

“Black-crowned Night Heron’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River),
125 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

One specimen: Los Indios.
This species is apparently not nearly so common as the Yellow-
crowned Night Heron in the Isle of Pines. Although recorded by both

Poey, Cory, and Gundlach, it seems to have been noted but infre-

quently by Mr. Read, while Mr. Link secured only one specimen, a

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 187

young bird, much tinged with rusty on the upper parts and wing-
coverts, shot at Los Indios on October 2. However, he found it rather
numerous, but for some reason very shy, in the Cienaga near Sigu-
anea in November and April. Mr. Zappey saw a flock at a fresh-
water lagoon in the northern part of the island in March, 1902, and
two others at Bibijagua. Nothing is known at present regarding its
breeding haunts in the island.

21. Nyctanassa violacea (Linnzus). YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT
HERON.

Nycticorax violaceus PoEyY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 90 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—
ReaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 27, 1913 (I. of Pines; descr.).

Nyctherodius violaceus GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 194 (I. of Pines).

Nyctanassa violacea BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 188 (I. of Pines,
ex Poey, Cory, and Gundlach).—REap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 132 (‘‘south
coast’’).

“Vellow-throated [sic] Night Heron”’ Reap, Odlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 6 (Nuevas
River).

““Yellow-crowned Night Heron” REAp, Odlogist, XXVIII, IorI, 13, and XXX,
I913, 131 (I. of Pines), 123 (Pine River), 125 (Santa Barbara).

Six specimens: Los Indios, Majagua River, and Caleta Grande.

All but two of this series are in juvenal dress, and even these two
are not fully mature, as shown by the brownish feathers of the pileum
and the dusky tinge of the back. These were secured in late October
and early November. The individual from Caleta Grande, although
otherwise in immature dress, is acquiring the long white occipital
plumes. The series of this species examined shows much variation,
which, however, is quite independent of locality. Needless to add,
I can see no ground for assuming a color-change in the feathers.
themselves to account for any of this variation, as suggested by
Baird, Brewer, & Ridgway (Water Birds of North America, I, 1884,
63).

In addition to the localities above quoted, Mr. Link saw this species
at Bibijagua on the north coast, while at the western end of the
Cienaga, near Siguanea, it was quite common (but very shy) in No-
vember, occurring sometimes singly, but more often in small parties,
about the edges of the marsh or in the mangroves. Nothing was
learned concerning its breeding haunts or habits.

188 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

22. Ajaia ajaja (Linneus). RROSEATE SPOONBILL.

Platalea ajaja Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).—GuNDLAcH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 195 (I. of Pines).

Ajaia ajaja Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 88 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—
BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (I. of Pines; Poey’s record).—
CooxE, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 45, 1913, 12 (I. of Pines, ex Poey).

*‘Roseate Spoonbill’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, fide G. A. Link).
One specimen: Los Indios.

Mr. Link was so fortunate as to secure a fine adult of this species,
shot in the swampy country near Los Indios, October 3, I912. Within
a few days of this date a few others were seen in the vicinity, all very
shy, however. Poey recorded the species many years ago, but the
supposition was that it had been extirpated, so that the present record
becomes of more than usual interest. The natives say that it breeds
in the island, which seems not unlikely.

23. Guara alba (Linneus). WHITE IBIs.

Ibis alba Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Guara alba Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 88 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—
GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 199 (I. of Pines).—CooKE, Bull. Biol. Survey,
No. 45, 1913, 14 (I. of Pines, ex Bangs and Zappey).

Eudocimus albus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 188 (Pasadita and the
Cienaga; habits).

“White Ibis’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 6, 10, and XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas
River); XXVIII, 1911, 13, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines), 125 (Santa Bar-
bara), 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).

Twelve specimens: Los Indios, Bibijagua, and Siguanea.
According to Baird, Brewer, & Ridgway (Water Birds of North

America, I, 1884, 90), this species exhibits a range of individual vari-

ation in size not exceeded by that in any member of the family. The

examination of a series of carefully sexed specimens from various
sections shows that this difference is not individual, but sexual, males
being decidedly larger than females, the bill especially. Audubon

(Ornithological Biography, III, 1835, 176) remarks that the male has

five outer primaries tipped with black, while the female has but four

thus marked, these figures holding good with but four exceptions in a

series of one hundred individuals examined (the exceptions being

very old females, which were like the males). Not one of the speci-
mens before me, however, shows more than four primaries with dark
tips, while two specimens, both females, have but three. Most of the

Isle of Pines series are immature birds, with the dusky-spotted head

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 189

and neck and dark back and wings characteristic of this stage. In-
dividuals in first nuptial dress are like the adults except for the dusky
mottling of the head and neck, which persists from the juvenal
plumage, and similar indications on the subterminal portion of the
outer primaries. Several of the immature birds above recorded: show
scattered white feathers in the dark areas, but I am not sure that such
indicate the onset of a moult; they were more probably acquired at the
same time with the others, showing as they do the same degree of wear.
This is one of the commonest and most characteristic water-birds
of the island. Although of course not found in the dry parts of the
interior, it is generally distributed wherever there is water, particularly
about the coastal lagoons and the larger streams, where it affects the
mangrove growths. It is naturally very abundant in the Cienaga,
flocks of forty or fifty having often been seen near Pasadita by Mr.
Zappey. This observer says that the inhabitants sometimes catch
and tame the young birds, which will associate with the domestic
fowls and feed on table scraps. Mr. Link found the White Ibis very
numerous at the western end of the Cienaga, near Siguanea, in
October and April, at both of which seasons it was observed in flocks.
No nests were found, nor yet any very young birds. Its food consists
of crabs, snails, frogs, and lizards. Its flesh is regarded as very good.

24. Mycteria americana Linneus. Woop IBIS.
Tantalus loculator Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 89 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

—BAnGS & Zappey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (I. of Pines, ex Cory).
Mycteria americana COOKE, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 45, 1913, 22 (I. of Pines, ex

Cory).

There is of course no reason why the Wood Ibis should not occur in
the Isle of Pines as well as in Cuba, but the only published record is
the very indefinite one above quoted. It was described to Mr. Link
by one of his guides as having been seen on one occasion near the Casas
Mountains shortly after the close of the Spanish War, but none have
been observed for many years.

25. Phoenicopterus ruber Linneus. FLAMINGO.

Phenicopterus ruber Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 88 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 255 (I. of Pines).—Bancs & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (Punta del Este and Bibijagua).—CooxkeE, Bull.
Biol. Survey, No. 45, 1913, 10 (I. of Pines, ex Gundlach).

Although the Flamingo is attributed to the Isle of Pines by Mr. Cory,
presumably on the authority of Gundlach, as well as by Gundlach

190 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

himself, the first definite and circumstantial record is that given by
Messrs. Bangs & Zappey: ‘‘ A few Flamingoes inhabit Punta del Este
and Bibijagua. None were seen alive, but one morning the tracks of
about a dozen were found in the mud, and on another occasion three
individuals that had just been shot by a native were examined.”’
Mr. Link made special search and inquiry for this species, but without
result. There is a considerable area on the “‘ south coast’”’ and in the
Cienaga, however, which still remains a terra incognita, ornithologically
speaking, and it is entirely possible that Flamingoes may yet be found
breeding somewhere in these parts, since it seems unlikely that they
would stray all the way from Cuba.

26. Querquedula discors (Linneus). BLUE-WINGED TEAL.
Querquedula discors BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (Cienaga).

Two specimens: Rincon Lagoon.

A winter resident in the Isle of Pines, as elsewhere in the West
Indies. Mr. Zappey found it in considerable numbers in the Cienaga
in March, 1902, although none were seen on his second trip, all prob-
ably having already gone north. Mr. Link met with the species but
once (February 21), on which occasion he shot two fine adult males
from a flock of twelve birds encountered at a lagoon near Bibijagua.

27. Dendrocygna arborea (Linnzeus). ANTILLEAN TREE DUCK.

Dendrocygna arborea Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 87 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.)—BANGs & ZappEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (Santa Fé and the
Cienaga; habits)—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 190, and XXVIII, Iori, 11
(I. of Pines).

“West Indian Tree Duck”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 6, and XXX, I913, 123
(Nuevas River); XXVIII, torr, 114 (West McKinley); XXX, I913, 125 (Santa
Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Six specimens: Siguanea.

One shot November 14 is in worn and faded breeding dress, but
the other five, taken April 26 and 28, are in perfectly fresh plumage.
All were shot at the western end of the Cienaga near Siguanea, where
the species was quite common. Mr. Zappey found it numerous also
in May, in the eastern part of the Cienaga. ‘‘ During the day it
keeps concealed in the Cienaga, but in the evening, toward dusk, it
leaves the swamps to feed in the royal palms, alighting on the trees
and picking off the berries. One night a half a dozen or so alighted
in the palms in the plaza at Santa Fe. The call note of this bird is

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 191

much like that of the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa).’’ Mr. Read has
noted it several times in the northern part of the island, along the
Nuevas River. Mr. Link observed a few at Rincon Lagoon, also
along the Los Indios River, and at Pasadita. It was never seen
swimming about in the water like other ducks, but usually wading
about in the swamps, or perched in the adjoining mangroves. The
stomachs of those examined contained grass. The natives sometimes
tame the young birds, several of which were seen running about the
houses like domestic ducks. No nesting records were obtained.

28. Chen hyperboreus nivalis (Forster), GREATER SNOW GOOSE.

Chen hyperborea nivalis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 87 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.)—BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 189 (I. of Pines, ex
Cory and Gundlach).—CookgE, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 26, 1906, 67 (I. of Pines
[ex Gundlach]).

Chen hyperboreus GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 257 (I. of Pines).

According to Gundlach this species has appeared in Cuba as a
winter resident in considerable numbers, and he records it from the
Isle of Pines without special comment, although it has not been
detected there by any of the more recent workers. It has been recorded
from Jamaica, however, as well as from Porto Rico, but according to
Prof. Cooke is not common as a rule anywhere south of North Carolina.

29. Cathartes aura aura (Linneus). SOUTHERN TURKEY VULTURE.

Cathartes aura Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach; habits).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 98 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—NELSON, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XVIII, 1905, 122 (I. of Pines;
crit.) —READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of Pines).

Cathartes aura aura BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, I90 (Santa Fé;
crit.; meas.).—READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV, I913, 45,
and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

(2?) Carrion Crow”’ READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines), 102 (crit.; ‘‘ prob-
ably an immature Turkey Buzzard’’).

“Turkey Buzzard’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII, I910, 84 (Los Tres
Hermanos Mountains); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley).

“Southern Turkey Buzzard”’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, 1910, 5, and XXVIII, tort,
6, to (Nuevas River), 3 (McKinley), 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.), 7
Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa
Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los
Indios).

(?) Catharista uruba [sic] READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11 (crit.; ‘‘possibly an
immature Turkey Buzzard’’).

One specimen: Los Indios.

192 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Mr. Nelson refers specimens of the Turkey Vulture from the Isle
of Pines, Cuba, southern Mexico, and Central America to true aura
of Linneus, which he distinguishes from the northern form (C. a.
septentrionalis Wied) by its smaller size, narrower and less well-
marked brown borders to the feathers of the back, and the usually
lighter color of the shafts of the primaries. The Los Indios skin (a
female) measures as follows: wing, 495; tail, 245; tarsus, 60. It is
appreciably darker and blacker below, especially posteriorly, than any
of the northern examples with which I have been able to compare it,
and while it has less brown above than the average northern bird,
it can be matched very closely by a skin from Colorado. The only
other specimen of supposedly true aura at present available is a
female from Mamatoco, near Santa Marta, Colombia. This measures
as follows: wing, 502; tail, 257; tarsus, 65. It is absolutely the same
as northern birds in color, and exceeds several of them in size. Although
the series of this species at hand for study is admittedly small, it leaves
the impression that the characters relied on to distinguish the two
supposed races are too slight and inconstant to justify any such formal
separation. At any rate, not one of the individuals measured is as
large as those referred to by Mr. Nelson, although several are in fine
fresh plumage. No Brazilian skins have been seen; they are said to
be decidedly smaller.

This is one of the most common and universally distributed large
birds of the island. Poey refers at some length to the habits of this
vulture as observed on the north coast, and the references above listed
will serve as a summary of the numerous published records of later
observers. As elsewhere in the tropical regions of the New World,
it is numerous in the vicinity of towns and cultivated lands, where it
is seldom molested, being valued so highly for its services as a scaven-
ger. Mr. Link in the month of June found it frequenting crevices in the
rocks near the top of the Casas Mountains, where it was doubtless
nesting.

30. Rostrhamus sociabilis (Vieillot). EVERGLADE KITE.

Rostrhamus sociabilis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 98 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 14 (I. of Pines)—BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 191 (Cienaga and Santa Rosalia Lagoon; food).

“Everglade Kite’’ Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, May 30, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Gundlach says that this species is very common in the Zapata
Swamp in Cuba and in the Isle of Pines. Mr. Zappey found it

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 193

common in the Cienaga, where, however, it was not met with by Mr.
Link, although he made special search. It may be of very local dis-
tribution, or possibly its numbers have been reduced in the last few
years almost to the vanishing point. Mr. Read seems not to have
encountered it either, and it is difficult to account for its apparent
absence.

31. Circus hudsonius (Linneus). Marsn Hawk.

““Marsh Hawk”’ READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 224 (I. of Pines); X XVII, I910, 15
(I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, ro11, 7 (I. of Pines, Nov. 26), 114 (West Mc-
Kinley, Oct.); XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, winter).

Circus hudsonius READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rort, 11 (1. of Pines); I. of Pines News,
VI, May 30, 1914 (I. of Pines, winter).

One specimen: Los Indios.

A winter resident, apparently not very common. Mr. Link saw
a few in the marshy country around Los Indios and the Majagua
River from October on, securing a single bird on January 13. Mr.
Read has observed it several times in the northwestern part of the
island, his earliest fall record being October 12 (1909). According to
Gundlach it is not rare in Cuba, although not known from any of the
Other Antilles.

Buteo platypterus cubanensis Burns. CUBAN BROAD-WINGED HAWK.

“Broad-winged Hawk’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 84 (Los Tres Hérmanos

Mountains); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

Buteo platypterus cubanensis BuRNS, Wilson Bull., XVIII, torr, 148, in text (diag.),

195 ([Los] Tres Hermanos Mountains, fide Read).

Buteo platypterus READ, I. of Pines News, VI, May 30, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Mr. Frank L. Burns has ventured to separate (provisionally at least) the Broad-
winged Hawk of Cuba and Porto Rico under the above name. The only record
for the Isle of Pines is based on a field-glass identification by Mr. Read, who says
that he saw a pair circling about the crown of Los Tres Hermanos Mountains, near
Nueva Gerona, on April 3, 1910. While there is of course nothing intrinsically
improbable in the occurrence of this species in the island, it is deemed best not to
formally admit it to the present list until more conclusive evidence is adduced.

32. Urubitinga gundlachii (Cabanis). CUBAN CrAB HAwK.

Hypomorphus gundlachi Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).

Urubitinga anthracina (not Falco anthracinus Lichtenstein) Cory, Cat. W. Indian
Birds, 1892, 99 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 18,
19 (I. of Pines; nesting)—BANGs & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, Ig (I.
of Pines, ex Poey; crit.).

194 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Urubitinga gundlachii BANGS, Auk, XXII, 1905, 307 (I. of Pines, ex Gundlach;
crit.).—READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines); I. of Pines News, VI, May
30, 1914 (Cienaga and “‘ south coast;’’ descr.; nesting).

“Cuban Crab Hawk” READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 168 (Los
Indios).

Seven specimens: Los Indios and Caleta Grande.

Many years ago Poey recorded this species from the Isle of Pines
on the authority of Gundlach, which author later speaks of having
found a nest there, built in a “‘ jucaro”’ tree, and constructed of twigs
like those of other hawks. ‘‘ The egg was dirty white with a greenish
tinge. At the larger end were some very pale lilac spots. The di-
mensions were 58 by 45 millimeters.’’ (Translation.) Mr. Zappey
failed to meet with the species in the island, however, and in the
absence of specimens Mr. Bangs was perforce obliged to follow
Gundlach and other authors in considering it the same as the conti-
nental species, U. anthracina. Shortly thereafter, however, the
receipt of a fine pair of adults from the coast of Cuba afforded
the much desired opportunity for comparison, which showed that
the Cuban and continental forms were quite distinct. The present
series, which includes two adult birds, abundantly confirms this
conclusion, although I cannot agree with Mr. Bangs that U. gundlachii
is only distantly related to U. anthracina. In form, proportions, and
style of coloration the two species are practically alike, but they may
be separated at a glance by their different colors. U. gundlachii is
chocolate-brown, with a slight purplish gloss, where U. anthracina
is black, except the tail, which is about the same color in both. The
bases of the remiges are broadly white underneath in U. gundlachii,
but merely mottled with white in U. anthracina. With a fairly
representative series of the latter before me, I fail to appreciate any
constant differences in the position and extent of the white bands on
the tail, to which Mr. Bangs calls attention. In fact, this is a variable
character in U. anthracina at least, and little importance can be
attached to it. The feathers of the upper parts are decidedly paler
basally in U. gundlachii than in U. anthracina, and the outer webs of
the primaries lighter gray. Immature birds, too, are duller in color
than those of U. anthracina, and the barring on the tibie and tail
is not so coarse. The iris is given as dark brown in the adults and
light brown in the young.

Mr. Link met with this species only in the southwestern part of the

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 195

island, at Caleta Grande, Los Indios, and near the mouth of the Ma-
jagua River. Invariably it was found among the mangroves, on the
lookout for the various kinds of crabs which constitute its main article
of diet. It was singularly tame and unsuspecting, and could be
approached without special precautions. It was usually observed
singly, and never more than two together. About a dozen or fifteen
individuals in all were observed, so that it can scarcely be considered
acommon bird. Mr. Read claims to have seen it on the Santa Barbara
tract.

33. Falco peregrinus anatum Bonaparte. Duck Hawk.
Falco peregrinus anatum BANGS & ZAppEy, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 191 (I. of

Pines).
“Duck Hawk” READ, I. of Pines News, VI, May 30, tor4 (I. of Pines).

A winter resident in the West Indies. The only Isle of Pines record
is that quoted above, which refers to a bird examined in March, 1902,
by Mr. Zappey, under somewhat unusual circumstances. It had
“ struck and killed a hen, and being either unable or unwilling to
let go, was chopped to pieces by some natives with their machetes.”

34. Falco columbarius columbarius Linneus. PIGEON HAWK.

Falco columbarius Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 99 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Hypotriorchis columbarius GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 29 (I. of Pines).

Falco columbarius columbarius BANGS & ZAppEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, I9I
(I. of Pines, ex Cory and Gundlach).

Like the last a winter resident, but much more numerous, having
been repeatedly observed by Mr. Link at Los Indios in September,
following the immense flocks of doves which were frequenting the
open country at that season. On one occasion an individual was
noted in pursuit of a pair of the larger pigeons (Columba inornata
proxima). None were noticed in the spring, however.

35. Falco sparverioides Vigors. CUBAN SPARROW HAWK.

Falco sparverius (not of Linnzus) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Cerchneis sparveria dominicensis (not Falco dominicensis Gmelin) BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 191 (Santa Fé, San Juan, Jucaro, Laguna Grande, and
Los Almacigos; plum.; habits)—REApD, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of
Pines); I. of Pines News, VI, May 30, 1914 (I. of Pines; descr.; habits).

“Cuban Sparrow Hawk’’ Reap, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, 102, and XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines);
XXVII, 1910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, t911, 3 (McKinley

196 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

and Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.), 6, 10, 123 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafiada
Mountains, etc.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 125
(Santa Barbara).

Falco sparverioides READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1013, 45,
and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Falco sparverius sparveroides BANGS, Auk, XXXII, 1915, 484 (I. of Pines; crit.):
Thirteen specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.
Three of the males have the back immaculate, but in the other

males it is spotted, and in one case as heavily barred as in F. sparverius

loquacula of Porto Rico. The spotting on the sides is prominent in
some specimens, but absent in others. The tail-pattern, however,
is fairly constant—far more so than in the Porto Rican bird. The
rufous crown-spot is barely indicated in a few of the males, but in
several of the females it is large and prominent. In only one of the
females do the markings of the under surface approximate in intensity

the average of those in true F. sparverius. Males taken July 9 and 11

are in the midst of the postnuptial moult. Only one specimen of this

series is in the dark phase.

If this form is a distinct species, as ranked by most authors, its
distribution is certainly most peculiar, occupying as it does an area
between that of two other forms which are unquestionably merely
geographic races of F. sparverius, the range of which thereby becomes
discontinuous. According to Mr. Cory (Catalogue of West Indian
Birds, 1892, 139) the Santo Domingo bird ( Falco dominicensis Gmelin)
is separable from that of Cuba, differing in having no dark phase, as
well as in other respects. Mr. Cory bases his statement on the ex-
amination of no less than forty-six specimens from Haiti and Santo

Domingo. If he is correct, there can remain no valid reason for
refusing recognition to dominicensis as an insular race of sparverius.

A due regard for consistency would require also that the light phase

of the Cuban bird (to which Mr. Ridgway applied the name leucophrys

in 1870), be recognized in a similar way, but complications immedi-
ately arise upon attempting to include the dark phase in such an
arrangement. The case has been very fully discussed by Mr. Chap-

man (Bulletin American Museum of Natural History, 1V, 1892, 295),

who points out that the dichromatism in this species is unusual in

that it involves also certain changes in the pattern of coloration.

That such a striking variation should have developed in only a com-

paratively restricted portion of the range of the Falco sparverius

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 197

group makes the case all the more remarkable and interesting, and
suggests that while the light phase is probably subspecifically related
to F. sparverius, as already intimated, the dark phase may be in
reality a distinct species, which is common in Cuba and rare in the
Isle of Pines, but does not extend to Haiti and Santo Domingo.
Indeed, this was substantially the view of the case accepted by the
earlier authors. As far back as 1855, however, Gundlach (Journal
fiir Ornithologie, ‘‘ 1854,’’ 1855, extraheft, p. Ixxxiv), insisted that
such could not be the case, since he had found the two supposed species
paired together. On the strength of a series of specimens sent by him
to the U. S. National Museum Mr. Ridgway (Auk, VIII, 1891, 113)
accepted this conclusion, which so far as I am aware has not been
seriously questioned since. It is significant, however, that Mr. Chap-
man, in the paper referred to above, says that of all the Sparrow Hawks
secured or observed by him in Cuba, light and dark, on no occasion
did he find birds of different phases mated. That such unions occa-
sionally occur, however, can scarcely be questioned in view of Gund-
lach’s testimony, but the fact need in no way militate against the view
here advanced that two species may be involved. The variability
of the dark birds would then be explainable by what we now know of
the laws of inheritance, and even the fact (if it 7s a fact) alleged by Mr.
Cory, that light and dark birds have been taken from the same nest,
on a similar hypothesis. This is certainly a case demanding further
investigation in the field, as in no other way can a final conclusion be
reached. While I do not venture at present to make the formal
nomenclatural shift indicated, I predict that this will eventually be
found necessary.

The recognition of a genus Cerchneis for the American Sparrow
Hawks, while doubtless justifiable, seems to me to involve also the
raising of certain other groups of Falco to generic rank, and as I have
neither the time nor the material for an investigation of this kind, I
follow for the present the nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’
Union Check List of North American Birds.

This is the commonest hawk in the Isle of Pines, being generally
distributed in the drier parts, back from the coast and the rivers.
Nests with young birds were found about Nueva Gerona and Los
Indios in April and May, built in holes in dead palm- and pine-trees,
twenty or thirty feet up. The birds of this species are wont to follow
the fires kindled by the natives in clearing the land of brush and

198 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

grass, feeding on the lizards dislodged by the flames. Mr. Zappey saw
but a single individual in the dark phase, Mr. Link only one, and
Messrs. Palmer and Riley none at all, which circumstance tends to
show how rare it is in the island as compared with Cuba.

36. Polyborus cheriway (Jacquin). AUDUBON CARACARA.

Polyborus vulgaris Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Polyborus cheriway Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 99 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BAnNGS & ZappEey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 191 (Santa Fé; habits).—READ,
Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44
(McKinley); XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara); I. of Pines News, VI, May 30,
1914 (I. of Pines).

““Caracara’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913,
125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

One specimen: Nueva Gerona.

The Caracara is confined in the West Indies to Cuba and the Isle
of Pines, where it is not a common bird, and is moreover shy and
difficult of approach. Messrs. Palmer and Riley saw one each at both
Manigua and Nueva Gerona, and Mr. Link secured a single immature
example at the latter locality on January 29. Others were observed
at Los Indios and Bibijagua, and on one occasion, near Santa Fé, as
many as a half-dozen together, feeding on the carcass of a cow. In-
dividuals were repeatedly seen following in the wake of the fires started
to burn off the old crop of grass, in search of the bodies of the lizards,
snails, etc., which were left behind. The specimen secured by Mr.
Zappey near Santa Fé is said to be indistinguishable from Florida

examples.

37. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis (Gmelin). OSPREY.

Pandion haliaétus carolinensis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 99 (I. of Pines,
in geog. distr.)—BANGs & Zappry, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 192 (I. of Pines,
ex Cory).

“Fish Hawk’”’ Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, May 30, 1914 (I. of Pines).

This species is recorded by Mr. Cory, but was not observed either
by Mr. Zappey or Messrs. Palmer and Riley, nor has Mr. Read ever
met with it. The single individual noted by Mr. Link was seen at
Caleta Grande on April 21, sailing about high overhead. It is un-
accountably rare in this section.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 199

38. Colinus cubanensis (Gould). CUBAN BOB-WHITE.

Colinus cubanensis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 96 (I. of Pines, in geog,
distr.)—GunpbLacu, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 171 (I. of Pines).—BANcs & ZAPPEY.
Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, I92 (Santa Fé, Nueva Gerona, and Cayo Bonito).—
READ, Odlogist, XX VI, I909, 102, and XXVIII, rort, 13 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, r914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—READ, I. of Pines
News, VI, Apr. 18, 1914 (I. of Pines; habits).

““Bob-white’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1900, 57 (1. of Pines).

“Quail’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines), 102 (crit.).

“Cuban Bob-white’’ REAp, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—REapD, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 13 (West McKinley).

“Cuban Quail’? READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 3, 5 (McKinley; nesting), ro, and
XXX, I913, 123 (Nuevas River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines),
164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).

Twelve specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.

No two of the males in this series are exactly alike. Several have
the under surface from the breast down more or less spotted with buffy
white in irregular pattern: these are doubtless younger birds in first
winter or first nuptial dress, according to season. But even in the
case of individuals presumably adult there is much variation as regards
the character and extent of the black streaking on the lower breast.

Although given by some authors as a subspecies of C. virginianus,
this form is clearly entitled to rank as a full species, being indeed closer
to some of the Mexican forms than to that of peninsular Florida. The
latter, however, has been introduced into Cuba, where it has interbred
with the native species to such an extent that in many localities it
is now difficult, so Dr. Thomas Barbour tells me, to secure specimens
which do not show traces of such mixed ancestry. The Isle of Pines
birds, however, are presumably pure-bred.

Except in the breeding season, which extends from May to July,
the Cuban Bob-white is generally found in coveys or family groups,
frequenting the dry pastures, especially where there are low palmettos
for shelter. In notes and habits it closely resembles C. virginianus.
A nest with ten eggs was found July ro, 1912, on the El Bobo planta-
tion northeast of McKinley, and Mr. Read mentions having found
young birds just able to fly on August I, near the same place. Indeed
he claims that this species breeds more than once in a season. The
eggs are pure white, unmarked, like those of C. virginianus. The
species is common and generally distributed throughout the dry in-
terior of the island, but is of course absent from the region south of
the Cienaga. Being one of the recognized game-birds, it is hunted

200 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

by the inhabitants for food and sport during the open season, from
September to April inclusive. In spite of this, and of the death of
many young birds which perish during the rainy season, it appears to
be holding its own fairly well. It is like the Bob-white of the north
in being a great destroyer of noxious insects, and a covey on a
plantation is an invaluable asset.

39. Rallus elegans ramsdeni Riley. CUBAN KING RAIL.

Rallus elegans? (not of Audubon) BANGs & ZAppry, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 192
(Cienaga).

(2) “Virginia Rail?’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 7, 13, and XXX, 1913, 131
(I. of Pines).

Two specimens: Siguanea.

MEASUREMENTS.

No. Sex. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus
413047 Q Siguaneas le Or-bimes ere. sien I41 vase} 46 52
413057 Cu eeSiguaneas IeOf Pines: sie ieee eter I50 60 57 54
2334788) on) Guantanamo; Cubase: ae ls sin 149 53 57 54.5
Four adult males from eastern U.S., average....... 166 68 58.5 58.5

Although the King Rail was long ago recorded as resident in Cuba
by Gundlach, no specimens seem to have found their way into col-
lections until quite recently, when Mr. Charles T. Ramsden sent a
small series to the U. S. National Museum for examination. Mr.
Joseph H. Riley was thus enabled to prove the correctness of his sur-
mise as to the distinctness of the Cuban bird, which he accordingly
named in honor of Mr. Ramsden (Proceedings Biological Society
cf Washington, XXVI, 1913, 83). As might be expected, the Isle of
Pines bird also belongs to the same small, pale race. The two speci-
mens above recorded, although not actually compared with the type
of ramsdeni, differ from examples from the eastern United States in
the chief respects pointed out in Mr. Riley’s diagnosis. Besides being
smaller, they have much whiter throats and bellies, and the color of
the breast also is decidedly paler, less rufescent, than in the dullest
colored skins of true elegans available. The statement “sides of
head behind eye paler ’”’ holds only for the female, the male being
different, more like elegans, in this respect, so that this can scarcely
be used as a diagnostic character.

Besides the pair taken at Siguanea, several others were seen there,

7 Collection Carnegie Museum.
8 Collection U. S. National Museum; measurements as given by Mr. Riley.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 201

all in fresh or nearly fresh water. It was found at Los Indios also,
about three miles up the river from the coast, and one was shot at
Pasadita, in the Cienaga, the latter part of May, but not preserved.
Mr. Zappey secured several specimens at the latter locality in March,
1902, but because he did not chance to get any on his second trip he
inferred that the species did not breed in the island. We now know,
however, that it is a resident in the fresh-water marshes of both Cuba
and the Isle of Pines, and doubtless all the birds seen by Mr. Link
were breeding at the time. The “ Virginia Rail’ mentioned by Mr.
Read as having been noted on sundry occasions (in fresh-water sloughs
only) is doubtfully referred to the present species, no specimens
having been taken.

40. Rallus longirostris leucopheus Todd. ISLE oF PINES CLAPPER

RAIL.
(?) ‘“‘ Virginia Rail?’’ REApD, Odlogist, XXVIII, ror, 146 (Bibijagua).
Rallus longirostris leuacopheus Topp, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXVI, I913,

174 (Majagua River; orig. descr.; type in coll. Carnegie Museum).

Eight specimens: Los Indios and Majagua River.

Type, No. 39,717, Collection Carnegie Museum, adult male; Ma-
jagua River, Isle of Pines, November 7, 1912; Gustav A. Link.

Description.—General color of upper parts deep clove-brown or
brownish black with an olivaceous shade, all the feathers margined
with neutral gray, giving a streaked appearance, these edgings very
broad and prominent on the scapulars and tertiaries; tail like the back;
wings dull brown, the upper coverts strongly shaded with buffy
brown, the under coverts and axillaries dusky, narrowly barred with
white; crown and back of the neck like the back, but duller, and the
gray edgings indistinct; sides of head and neck dull grayish; suborbital
spot and supraloral streak dull buffy white; throat white; lower throat
and upper breast suffused with ochraceous buff; lower breast and
abdomen (medially) dull white, the sides of the latter dusky, barred
with white; under tail-coverts mostly white, with indistinct broad
dusky barring; ‘‘ iris dark brown.”

MEASUREMENTS OF ADULTS.

No. Sex. Locality. Wing. ‘Tail. Bill, Tarsus.
39571 Cie PIEOSPINGIOSS selcisnha aot oe ie ees 144 55 61 54
Z300SAmmN Cue mL OSELNGIOSacewns ty anauainera a a erie ie 148 58 62 55
30/1 Oe VAT ACTIAURG Vern ieiiae eres Weatens ener 147 60 61 55
39610 2 WOStINC TOS wre espera sie teeta hee ainser 132 59 58 48
39627 2 TZ OSMINGIOS Seer heres op nse EEN aa: Soke 132.454 55 49

202 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Some individuals show more or less decided traces of white bars on
the upper wing-coverts also. Immature birds differ from adults in
the color of the under parts, which are much darker, and suffused with
grayish buffy.

The discovery of the Clapper Rail in the Isle of Pines, and that the
birds of this species occurring there represent a new and very distinct
form, is of more than passing interest. The new race, while closely
resembling R. 1. waynei of the South Atlantic coast in the color of the
upper surface, is much whiter below than any of the other known
forms of this group. That a sedentary species such as the Clapper
Rail, which throughout its West Indian range has a habitat and
environment practically the same—the mangrove swamps—should
vary to such an extent is surprising enough, but that the Isle of Pines
form should differ so widely from that of the neighboring island of Cuba,
resembling instead certain other more remote forms, is a problem
requiring consideration, suggesting that in the case of the Clapper
Rail segregation has been a factor in the evolution of the species.

Since I wrote my review of Bahaman birds I have had occasion to
alter my views as to the status of the various forms of this group.
I now believe they should all stand as subspecies of the South American
Rallus longirostris.

The present form is based upon a series of five adult and three
immature birds, collected by Mr. Link at Los Indios and the Majagua
River. It was confined to the mangroves, and seemed to be fairly
common there, judging from the number which were daily heard. It
proved to be very difficult to secure, however, preferring to seek safety
when disturbed more by dodging through the thick growth rather than
by flight. Young in the down were seen on several occasions along
the sea-beach near the mouth of the Majagua River, upon being alarmed
disappearing into the mangroves, where they were safe from pursuit.
While not actually observed at any other locality than the two above
mentioned, the species doubtless occurs at other points along the coast,
in salt-water lagoons, wherever the mangroves grow, and it was
probably this species which was recorded by Mr. Read from Bibijagua
under the name “ Virginia Rail.”’

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 2038

41. Gallinula chloropus cachinnans Bangs. FLorrpA GALLINULE.
Gallinula galeata (not of Lichtenstein) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, o1 (I. of
Pines, in geog. distr.)—BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 192 (Santa

Rosalia Lagoon).

“Florida Gallinule’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of

Pines).

Mr. Zappey found a few Florida Gallinules in Santa Rosalia Lagoon
in March, 1902, but saw none on his later trip. In Cuba, according
to Gundlach, it is a regular breeder, so that it is entirely probable that
in due time it will be found breeding in the Isle of Pines likewise.
It seems, however, to be a rare bird there at any season. Mr. Read
says that he saw a pair in the Santa Barbara tract in September, and
while Mr. Link did not actually meet with a living bird, he found the
remains of an individual at Los Indios in October, doubtless one
which had been killed by a hawk.

42. Ionornis martinica (Linneus). PURPLE GALLINULE.
Ionornis martinica Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 91 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—BANGs & ZAppEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 192 (Pasadita; meas.; crit.).

Four specimens: Pasadita.

This is a fairly common species in the Cienaga at Pasadita, where
specimens were collected by both Mr. Zappey and Mr. Link. Its
local range, however, seems to be quite restricted, since it has not
been detected at other points in the island, not even at the western
end of the Cienaga, which Mr. Link explored carefully.

Messrs. Bangs and Zappey call attention to the large size of the
birds collected by the latter as compared with specimens from the
southern United States. With only a few specimens from South
Carolina and Florida before me, however, it appears that several of
these are quite as large as the Isle of Pines birds, the males of which
fall below the measurements given by the authors in question. Fe-
males are somewhat smaller than males.

43. Fulica americana Gmelin. Coor.

Fulica americana Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 91 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 249 (I. of Pines). —BANcGs & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat.,
XXXIX, 1905, 193 (I. of Pines, ex Cory and Gundlach).

Gundlach appears to have been the only observer to record this
species from the Isle of Pines, and his is merely a casual reference. He

9 Mr. Bangs (Proceedings New England Zodélogical Club, V, 1915, 96) appears to
have made out a good case for the subspecific status of the North American form.

204 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

says that in Cuba it comes from the north in large numbers for the
winter, leaving in April, but that a few remain to breed. Under such
circumstances it is odd that there are no more records from the Isle
of Pines, where there are certainly many places suited to its needs.

44. Aramus vociferus (Latham). LIMPKIN.

Aramus gaurauna [sic] Porky, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).

Aramus giganteus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 90 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 237 (I. of Pines).—REApD, Odlogist, X XVI,
1909, 149 (I. of Pines; habits); XXVIII, 1911, 11 (I. of Pines); XXX, 1973,
122 (McKinley; habits)—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan. 31, 1914 (descr.;
habits).

Aramus giganteus holostictus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 194
(Cienaga; crit.; ex Notherodius holostictus Cabanis).

“Limpkin”’ REApD, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1900, 452 (1. of Pines).—READ,
Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 5, and XXVIII, 1911, 10
(Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 127
(Santa Barbara), 130, 131 (I. of Pines), 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona).

Three specimens: Nueva Gerona and Pasadita.

MEASUREMENTS.

No. Sex. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus.
4342 of Melbourne wilorid aris naci itera er 308. et2Oe Lor II5
4343 & Melbourne hloridasn.. seers eee ROR Re ee) eG

269590 of iBepederomGosta Rican eee eee 325 146 120 122
27438 Q@im. Lower Kissimmee R., Florida......... ZO Oh in d:2)7 LOA mennELEE2
27458 o Bassengver Wlordacvsr ec aie ce 210) E40) sir 126
39410 of Wtnado® PortovRiconsa cere eee ci: 306 139 — _ 103
ATT2Z005.9 INtievaGeronas oh Pines: acme cee ne 310 134 I2I I20
AIIQ7 of INueva Gerona, Tiof Pines... 20.42.64. 318 149 118 I25
41385 @ Pasaditayel Oi Pines amie er iteet i ii te 323 I44 125 I25

From the above table of measurements it must be obvious that West
Indian specimens of this species vary in dimensions fully as much as
do Florida birds, the variation in both being considerable. Nor,
after careful comparison, can I detect any constant difference in color
between the two series, such variation as exists seeming to depend
largely on season, birds in fresher plumage being generally darker.
Florida examples, it is true, seem to have rather more white on the
under wing-coverts, but this is such a variable feature that I believe
its value would disappear in a larger series. Some individuals have
the under tail-coverts distinctly streaked with white, in others these

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 205

feathers are plain. Under the circumstances I am forced to the
conclusion that the individual described by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey
from the Isle of Pines was an unusually small, perhaps immature, bird,
and that therefore their recognition of a subspecies holostictus from
the West Indies, on the strength of this specimen, cannot stand.

So far at least as Mr. Link’s experience goes, this is not a very
common bird in the Isle of Pines. Two were shot at a lagoon north-
east of Nueva Gerona, and one in the Cienaga at Pasadita. A few
others were seen at the latter locality, as well as at El Canal, on the
route between Santa Fé and the Cienaga, where they were observed
in the dry uplands, in a plowed field. Mr. Zappey, however, saw
none outside of the Cienaga. Messrs. Palmer and Riley heard several
in the vicinity of Nueva Gerona, and Mr. Read has noted the species
repeatedly at various points in the northwestern part of the island,
remarking that it is solitary in its habits, and is oftener heard than seen.
The fresh-water snails which abound in the rivers and lagoons constit-
tute its principal food. ‘‘ In the night it is a noisy bird, making weird,
mysterious cries, from which it gets its name’’ [of ‘ Crying Bird ”’].
Its ordinary alarm-note in the daytime is a frog-like croak. Nothing
is yet on record regarding its breeding on the island.

45. Grus mexicana nesiotes Bangs & Zappey. CUBAN SANDHILL
CRANE.

Grus poliophea (not of Wagler) Porty, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Grus canadensis (not of Linnzus) GUNDLACH, Journ. fiir Orn., 1875, 293 (I. of
Pines; habits)—GuNpLaAcH, Contr. Orn. Cubana, 1876, 143 (1. of Pines).

Grus mexicana (not of Miiller) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 90 (I. of Pines,
in geog. distr.)—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 175 (I. of Pines).—CooKE,
Bull. U. S. Dept. Agric., No. 128, 1914, 10 (I. of Pines, ex Gundlach).

Grus nesiotes BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 193 (La Vega and Pasa-
dita; orig. descr.; type now in coll. Mus. Comp. Zo6l.; habits; crit.)—ALLEN,
Auk, XXII, 1905, 329, in text (review).—EpiTorsS, Ibis, 1905, 631, in text
(review).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, r911, 11 (I. of Pines); XV, 1913, 45 (Santa
Barbara).—REapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 7, 1914 (I. of Pines; habits).

“*Sand-hill Crane’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines), I02 (syn.).

“Cuban Crane’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to1t1, 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 113 (West Mc-
Kinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River), 125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines),

Three specimens: Los Indios.
The measurements given in the following table, having been takem
by different individuals, are possibly not entirely comparable, although

206

ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

doubtless sufficiently so to show the relative size and proportions of
the three forms under consideration.

Grus mexicana mexicana:

No

36115”
162903"!
162904"!
175530"
1745118
1745218
175408"
239548"
T99018
2464114

1323810
13239)?
39675"
39676"
41323”
211220!!

Grus canadensis:

21614”

193556" *

58485"!
993718
1858718
24639"
33063"
3306214
38524"
193555"

184977"!

11

Sex. Locality. Wing,
Cue blymouth © biongeeeteueeicieie o eereie ere 490
Cimelvakewlrattord, lonidamine 505
Gu Hort khompson eliloridan qe. eier ae 485
Gua wake Kassimmee hlondan sere acene 503
Gus Bassenger,, Liloridanere eer eee 525
OR eBassencer blond ae ent sts rane nia 501
OMaSawerassue olka Gor sHilondamacwaceetee 470
of ebihte INES IMGTONNVESOUL Gocaanc co baeddogé Sirs
Om Downer Cor, North Dakota. jem. .cmiaee lhl
Ome ManateeiCo:, bloridame nna eaee cere: 510
Grus mexicana nesiotes:
oe) ILA Wiens Oli Jeeta oo bone eeaenanocss Aq4
oe 1eeicevabqel, I, Wie ISIS. g cco ae adcoccaces 460
Oo Losmindios sl of Rinese assis sera 425
OFF Cosmindios lolsbines= are eee o iL
OS Hos Indios: of, Pines ...c.-e cece sere 432
Oe Pe ewertoyenncipe.s Cuban cea eee A475
oy IBioayeyene, SENOS 4 oogactoooennouedocus 490
co Ft. Resolution, Mackenzie. ...5..:...:.. 480
Gu Ete KenateAlaskaynn 3a sais terecaier = 485
Gur Nome; vAlaskacrs <5 2.:).c\ee mee oie iees res 463
Gu gNome;Alaskav ae crn eeosieiee ones ea Sack 487
Gu Carmon ys Vianitobaare Seer eee 541
ou CameronyCo; dexasa sree oe eee aie 512
OF aEameronsEGonhexas see ee ieee ec 490
OD Hooper Bays; Alaska eres cee eee A475
Q@ Slave River, 20 mi. above Ft. Resolution,
Mackenzie ase svaic ihn iu arin ere 444
o> Wea Barca, Jalisco, Mexicon ane eee eae 430
Ome NushagakeyAlaskayiaenensrierary cis eee ects 430
OF Keith CorsNebraska seein creer 458

25979}

Tail.

179
174

195

Bill. Tarsus,

152
I31
1209
128

103

230
258
252
258
258
237
231
223
240
215

209
204
188
198
187
214

199
227
208
161
202
217
197
200
193

209:
198
184
184

The present series, secured by Mr. Link after strenuous and repeated
efforts, has served as a basis for further and independent comparisons
10 Collection E. A. and O. Bangs.

11 Collection U. S. National Museum.
12 Collection Carnegie Museum.

13 Collection Louis B. Bishop.

4 Collection Jonathan Dwight.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 207

in an effort to determine the true status and relationships of the Sand-
hill Crane of Cuba and the Isle of Pines. Although known from the
latter locality for many years, having been recorded by Poey (on
Gundlach’s authority) as far back as 1854, specimens have apparently
been wanting in collections. In 1904, however, Mr. Zappey was
successful in securing two male birds, which were described the fol-
lowing year under the name Grus nesiotes. Thesmaller size was given
as the chief point of difference between the new form and G. mexicana,
the differences in color being insignificant. As shown in the foregoing
table of measurements, the two birds collected by Mr. Zappey,
although in rather worn plumage, average somewhat larger than the
three females taken by Mr. Link. Nevertheless, the bird represented
by these five skins seems worthy of distinction from G. mexicana of the
mainland, being so much smaller that its recognition is easy, but it
is a curious fact (and one apparently ignored by the describers) that
by this very token it approaches G. canadensis. Even in the small
series of these two forms examined the measurements inosculate. But
while in general size the two appear to be about the same, the bill in
nesiotes seems to average relatively longer. The range of variation
in this respect is nevertheless considerable in both forms, so much so
that it is very doubtful if they can invariably be discriminated by any
fixed differences in size or proportions. The status of G. canadensis
has indeed been in the past the subject of considerable dispute, into
the history of which it is here unnecessary to go; suffice it to say that
current usage, as reflected by the American Ornithologists’ Union
Check List of North American Birds, accords it specific rank. Author-
ities are agreed that G. canadensis and G. mexicana can be distinguished
from each other only by size, both species varying greatly in color,
this variation affecting mainly the mantle, which is often strongly
washed with brown. According to Messrs. Bangs and Zappey this
brown wash is characteristic of the breeding-season, at least in the
case of G. mexicana. Birds taken in May are quite appreciably
browner than those taken in October, although the variation in this
respect is not nearly so marked as in the other two forms, and it is of
course possible that this difference may prove to be sufficiently con-
stant to be used as a diagnostic character. It is of course inconceiv-
able that nesiotes is a subspecies of the boreal and western G. cana-
densis, its real affinities being rather with G. mexicana, the range of
which it approximates. To reduce it to a subspecies of the latter,

208 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

while at the same time keeping G. canadensis specifically distinct,
may seem an inconsistent course to pursue; nevertheless, in the writer’s
judgment it more nearly expresses the facts of the case than to recog-
nize it as a full species or (to go to the other extreme) to sink it as a
synonym of G. mexicana. Indeed, Messrs. Bangs and Zappey seem
to have been kept from following the arrangement here adopted
merely by the consideration that the name mexicana has probably
been improperly applied, a question on which I can at present
express no opinion.

It may be added that future research may show that the bird of
Cuba is not the same as that of the Isle of Pines. The measurements
of the single Cuban example above given are those of an individual
which died in captivity.

While the Cuban Sandhill Crane can by no means be considered a
common species in the Isle of Pines, it nevertheless is a well-known and
generally distributed bird. It has repeatedly been observed in the
northern portion of the island by Mr. Read and Mr. Link, and by the
latter at Pasadita also, where Mr. Zappey took one of his specimens.
Three fine specimens were secured by Mr. Link at Los Indios. The
two shot October 24 were taken by the ingenious device of dressing
in green clothing and cautiously creeping towards the birds on hands
and knees, their attention being distracted meanwhile by the manceu-
vers of another party at a distance, in the opposite direction. Fre-
quenting the more open situations, as they invariably do, and being
such wild and wary birds, it is seldom that they can be approached
within gunshot, except by some such subterfuge as that just de-
scribed. Their flesh is esteemed as food by the inhabitants, and they
are shot for this purpose at every possible chance, but in spite of this
persecution they have succeeded in holding their own fairly well.
Mr. Link estimates that he saw as many as twenty-five individuals
during his stay on the island. On one occasion a group of five were
seen together, but as a rule not more than two or three were observed
in company. In the latter case he believes that a pair with their
young were represented. The Crane lays two eggs, but it is seldom
that more than one young bird is raised, owing to the destruction caused
by the ants, which often kill the young first hatched, while the one
hatched later may escape. No nests were actually discovered, but
broken egg-shells were found, and on several occasions young birds
were seen in captivity, indicating that the eggs are laid early in May.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 209

When taken young the Crane is easily tamed, and makes a very inter-
esting pet. It feeds on worms, insects, lizards, etc., and may often be
observed in recently burnt tracts, picking up the lizards which have
perished in the fire. It is a very noisy bird, and also has a peculiar
way of dancing, strutting around with bill pointed straight up, the
wings spread, while all the time it utters its loud discordant notes.

46. Sterna maxima Boddert. Roya TERN.

Sterna cayennensis PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide

Gundlach).

Sterna maxima Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 82 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

—Bancs & Zappry, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 196 (seacoast and cays).
Thalasseus maximus GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 287 (I. of Pines).

“Royal Tern’”’ Reap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).—

READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Punta Frances).

Four specimens: Los Indios, Majagua River, and Cayo Frances.

Specimens shot September 27 and November 7 show moult of the
primaries in progress, while an individual taken November 30 is in
full dress.

The Royal Tern is found at various points along the seacoast and
among the outlying cays. In addition to the localities above specified,
it was noted off Punta del Este and about the island known as Morrillo
del Diablo, on the north coast. Probably, however, none of these
birds were breeding at the time. In May, 1910, a nest with two eggs
was found near the sea-beach, east of the mouth of the Nuevas River.

47. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida Cabot. CasBoT TERN.

Three specimens: Los Indios.

A few were noted at Los Indios on September 27, in company with
the Royal Tern, and three specimens were secured. One of these is
an adult in winter dress; the other two are immature birds. The species
has long been known from Cuba, Jamaica, and Porto Rico, but this
is the first record for the Isle of Pines. So far as I have been able to
discover there are no breeding records for Cuba, although Gundlach
claims to have taken young in the first plumage in August.

48. Sterna antillarum (Lesson). Lrast TERN.

About a dozen of these birds were observed in May, 1910, about a
sea-beach east of the mouth of the Nuevas River, under circumstances
which indicated that they were breeding at the time, as were the
Royal Terns, with which they were associated. The species was found

210 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

also in some numbers at Cayo Largo, an island some fifty miles east
of the Isle of Pines, during a brief visit the latter part of May, and a
specimen was secured.

' 49. Himantopus mexicanus (Miiller). BLACK-NECKED STILT.
Himantopus mexicanus BANGS & ZApPpEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 195 (Bibi-
jagua).

Mr. Zappey has been the only observer to meet with this species
in the Isle of Pines. Two were seen, one of which was secured, in the
“Salina ’’ at Bibijagua on May 15, 1904. According to Prof. Cooke
(Bulletin Biological Survey, No. 35, 1910, 20), “‘ the species is a toler-
ably common resident of the entire West Indies,’ a statement con-
firmed by Gundlach (Ornitologia Cubana, 1895, 222), so that its
occurrence in the Isle of Pines is no more than was to be expected.

J

50. Gallinago delicata (Ord). WILSON SNIPE.
‘‘Wilson Snipe’? READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 224 (I. of Pines); XVII, TOL, 15

(I. of Pines; migr.); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).
Gallinago delicata READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rort, 11 (1. of Pines).

The Wilson Snipe is a winter resident in the Isle of Pines, living in
fresh-water swamps, where there is always plenty of suitable covert.
The brush and marsh-grasses in these situations make shooting much
more difficult than in the north, and although individuals were seen
from time to time, none were actually secured. The first was observed
at Bogarona on October 17, and others were noted in a marshy tract
near the Caballos Mountains at intervals through the winter months.
Mr. Read has recorded its arrival in fall migration as early as Sep-
tember 2 (1913), other records being September 18 (1912), October 3
(1911) and 21 (1909). No spring dates of departure are on record.

51. Limnodromus griseus griseus (Gmelin). DOWITCHER.

Seven specimens: Los Indios, Rincon Lagoon, and El Bobo Lagoon.

A single individual, the only one seen at the time, was shot at Los
Indios on November 23. Several good-sized flocks were seen at
Rincon Lagoon on February 21 and 22, and three weeks later (March
14 and 15) it was found in considerable abundance at El Bobo Lagoon.
All of the specimens secured are in full winter dress with the exception
of one from this latter locality, in which the prenuptial moult of the
body-plumage is in progress, the bird presenting a curious pied ap-
pearance. The species is to be set down as a winter resident in the
Isle of Pines, as elsewhere in the West Indies.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 211

52. Pisobia minutilla (Vieillot). LEAST SANDPIPER.

“Least Sandpiper’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of

Pines).

Eight specimens: Los Indios and Siguanea.

Three birds taken September 27 are immature, one of them showing
signs of moult of the body-plumage._ Four others, ranging in date from
September 30 to November 22, are in full winter dress, the earliest
bird just completing the moult of the remiges. The single example
from Siguanea, shot April 30, is in full nuptial plumage.

This diminutive species is a common winter resident, mainly on or
near the coast, occurring in immense flocks, usually associated with
other species of shore-birds. It was one of the most abundant species
at Rincon Lagoon in February. September 27 was the earliest date
of record for the fall of 1912, although Mr. Read seems to have noted
it a little earlier that season, on September 24. In the fall of 1913 the
same observer saw it first on September 26.

Ereunetes pusillus (Linneus). SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
(?) ““Semipalmated Sandpiper’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 7, 13 (I. of Pines);
XOX 19013, 127 (Santa Barbara); 131 (1: of Pines).
Mr. Read records this species, as above, saying that he saw several on September
4, 1910. Inreply to an inquiry he writes that on the date in question he watched
a flock of small sandpipers on a sand-bar along the Nuevas River, which from
their partially webbed tracks he felt sure belonged to the present species. While
there is no reason why this species should not occur as a winter resident in the
Isle of Pines, as elsewhere in the West Indies, its formal admission to the list should
await a more positive identification.

53. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin). GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.

Totanus melanoleucus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 196 (Bibijagua).

—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 190, and XXVIII, rort, 11 (I. of Pines).
“Greater Yellow-legs’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, I9r0, 15, XXVIII, 1911, 7, and

XXX, I913, 131 (I. of Pines; migr.).

Probably a winter resident in the Isle of Pines, as elsewhere in the
West Indies, but the few available records pertain apparently to
migratory birds only, or at least to individuals observed during the
season of migration. Mr. Zappey secured a single female at the
“Salina ’’ near Bibijagua on May 15, 1904, and Mr. Read reports
having seen a few on September 18, 1909, and September 7, I9gI0.
Mr. Link failed to meet with the species.

Zi ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

54. Totanus flavipes (Gmelin). YELLOW-LEGs.

Totanus flavipes BANGS & ZApPpEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 195 (I. of Pines,
March).

“Vellow-legs’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara).

Six specimens: El Bobo Lagoon and Siguanea.

These specimens were collected on March 14 and 15 and April
30, flocks of considerable size having been met with on each
occasion, frequenting the marshes back of the mangroves. On
February 21 and 22 large flocks were observed at Rincon Lagoon,
near Bibijagua. According to Prof. Cooke (Bulletin Biological
Survey, No. 35, 1910, 56, 57) the species is rare as a winter resident so
far north, although known to arrive in the Gulf States as early as
March, so that the present record becomes of interest. Mr. Zappey
also collected some specimens in March, 1902. All of the birds taken
by Mr. Link show prenuptial moult of the body-plumage going on, and
practically completed in the one shot April 30. One of the March
specimens is renewing the outer primaries, and looks more like a bird
just going into winter dress. Mr. Read writes that he has taken
specimens of both this and the preceding species in fall shooting.

55. Tringa solitaria solitaria (Wilson). SOLITARY SANDPIPER.

Helodromas solitarius solitarius BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 905, 196
(Jucaro).

“Solitary Sandpiper’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines,
May 3).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102 (I. of Pines); XXVII, I9I0, 15
(I. of Pines, Oct. 27); XXVIII, rort, 7 (I. of Pines, Aug. 20), 10 (Nuevas River),
114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Helodromas solitarius READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1o11, 11 (I. of Pines; migr.).

So far as known the Solitary Sandpiper is only a transient visitant
in the Isle of Pines, although it is entirely possible that it may winter
occasionally. Mr. Zappey secured a single bird at Jucaro on May
II, 1904, and Mr. Read has noted it (in the ‘‘ West Coast ”’ section)
as early as March 25 (1913) and as late as May 18 (1910). Fall
migration dates culled from his notes lie between August 20 (1910)
and October 27 (1909).

56. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus (Gmelin). WILLET.

Totanus semipalmatus Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).

Symphemia semipalmata Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 94 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).

Catoptrophorus semipalmata [sic] semipalmata BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat. XXXIX,
1905, 196 (I. of Pines, ex Poey).

Five specimens: Siguanea.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. PAS

Judging from the measurements, these specimens belong to the
typical eastern form. While agreeing well with an example from
Amelia Island, Florida, taken May 8, they seem to differ slightly from
a small series of breeding birds from Cobb’s and Smith’s Islands,
Virginia, in having the under parts rather less heavily marked, and
in the barring on the upper tail-coverts being less pronounced, or in
- one case even obsolete. The Virginia birds, however, vary somewhat
among themselves in these respects, and possibly seasonal changes
due to wear may be responsible for the observed differences.

The dates of collection of these birds (April 30-May 2) would at
least suggest the possibility of their being breeding individuals. More-
over, the species was noted at Los Indios still later by several days.
Gundlach says that he has observed the Willet at Guantanamo, Cuba,
in June and July, and believes that a few breed there. Those noted
in the Isle of Pines were invariably found in the marshes behind the
fringe of mangroves, either singly or two or three together. The only
other specific record is that of Poey, above quoted, based on Gund-
lach’s observations near Nueva Gerona, which are doubtless the basis
for Mr. Cory’s reference also.

57. Actitis macularia (Linnzus). SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

Actitis macularia BANGS & ZapprEy, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 196 (I. of Pines,
coastwise).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 13 (1. of Pines).

“Spotted Sandpiper” READ, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 15 (I. of Pines; migr.);
XXVIII, 1911, 6 (Nuevas River), 7 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXX, 1913, 125
(Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Ten specimens: Los Indios, Santa Rosalia Lagoon, Bogarona, and
Siguanea.

No. 39,699, October 29, is moulting the remiges. No. 39,760,
November 16, is an adult completing the postnuptial moult, and
still retaining the old wings and tail, as well as numerous black-spotted
breast-feathers. Another individual, shot February 18, is renewing
the remiges. All the birds taken between April 25 and 30 are in full
nuptial dress. ‘

A common winter resident, both inland and coastwise, although
naturally not observed in the wooded parts of the Cienaga. The first
was taken at Los Indios on September 30, but its real arrival evidently
took place a month earlier, since Mr. Read has re@orded it as early as
August 29 (1913), August 31 (1910), and September I (1911). It was
usually observed singly, although occasionally a small flock was
encountered.

214 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Pluvialis dominicus dominicus Miiller. GOLDEN PLOVER.

(?) ‘Golden Plover’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, Sept. 18).

““On September 17, 1912, I took two specimens which I identified at the time as
Golden Plover.’’ These were ‘‘identified from Cory’s ‘How to know the Shore
Birds,’ and had the rudimentary hind toe.’’ [!] The rudimentary hind toe being
characteristic of the Black-bellied Plover, and not of the Golden Plover, there is
ground for querying the record in question. Although the Greater Antilles are
presumed to lie considerably off the regular migration route of the Golden Plover,
Gundlach records it from Cuba without special comment, and, if it occurs there,
it should also occur in the Isle of Pines.

58. Squatarola squatarola (Linneus). BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.
(2) ‘‘Black-bellied Plover’? READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara).

Seven specimens: Los Indios, Caleta Grande, and Rincon Lagoon.

After examining an unusually fine series of breeding and winter
adults of this species from various parts of its North American range,
together with a few European specimens, I find such a variation in
size in both that I do not feel justified in recognizing the birds from the
respective continents as subspecifically distinct (at least on the ground
of size alone), as proposed by Messrs. Thayer and Bangs ( Proceedings
New England Zoélogical Club, V, 1914, 23). Nor does the supposed
form ‘‘ hypomelus’”’ appear to rest on a much more satisfactory basis.

Two adults shot October 14 have completed the postnuptial moult,
with the exception of one and two outer primaries respectively. Two
young birds, dated respectively November 19 and 26, however, are
still in juvenal dress, so badly worn that the buffy spotting of the
upper parts is mostly scalloped out, and what remains faded to white;
but still they show no signs of the onset of the postjuvenal moult.
Three specimens shot February 21 and 22, and which look like winter
adults, have the body-plumage much worn, while the wings, and also
the tail, except in one individual, are quite fresh. The one exception
referred to is a bird which is acquiring new feathers of the winter
plumage on the back, and may be a young bird undergoing a late
postjuvenal moult.

The Black-bellied Plover is a winter resident in the Isle of Pines,
occurring usually wherever there are rocky or gravelly beaches ex-
posed along the coast. Two or three individuals are ordinarily found
together. At only one locality, Rincon Lagoon, near Bibijagua,
February 21 and 22; was it ever observed in flocks of any size. October
14 was the earliest date recorded for it by Mr. Link, while a few in-
dividuals were observed at Siguanea as late as May 2. These latter

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 215

appeared to have some black feathers underneath, but they were very
shy, and unfortunately none were secured. Mr. Read records what
he believes to have been this species, mentioning that he has seen it
feeding in the dry uplands, in pine-apple tracts.

59. Oxyechus vociferus vociferus (Linneus). KILLDEER.

Five specimens: Caleta Grande, Los Indios, Santa Ana, and Nueva
Gerona.

These specimens, taken at dates ranging from November 27 to
February 24, compare favorably with examples from the eastern
United States in size and other characters, indicating that they were
migrants from that section, come to the Isle of Pines to spend the
winter. The species was especially numerous at Caleta Grande,
where on one occasion a flock of six or eight was encountered, but as a
rule it was met with singly, or two together.

60. Oxyechus vociferus rubidus Riley. West INDIAN KILLDEER.

ZEgialitis vocifera (not Charadrius vociferus Linnzeus) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds,
1892, 95 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Oxyechus vociferus GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 231 (I. of Pines).

Oxyechus vociferus torquatus (not Charadrius torquatus Pontoppidan) BANcs &
ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 195 (Nueva Gerona, fide Palmer & Riley,
Bibijagua, and Laguna Grande; meas.; crit.; ex Charadrius torquatus Linneus).
—COoKE, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 35, 1910, 88 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

“West Indian Killdeer’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 224, and XXX, 1913, I31
(1. of Pines), 123 (Pine River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara).

“Antillean Killdeer’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 10 (Nuevas River).

Oxyechus vociferus rubidus READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11 (1. of Pines).

Four specimens: Santa Rosalia Lagoon, Hato, and Jacksonville.

These four skins are evidently representatives of the race of the
Killdeer which is resident in the West Indies, and which is readily
distinguishable by its smaller size and lighter, generally more rusty
color of the upper parts and wing-coverts. Measurements are as

follows:

No. Sex. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus.
4II54 2 SantamRosaliaweacoonmen seis etn aye see 158 92 20.5 35
41157 Cee Salitaykosaliaglvacoontes icone cro I49 85 20 33
41258 Q VAC Opty cr he Ay ee rece eke eu sicie 144 90 20 22
hoi wet Neverthe a adodnouocameduecocbot I41 82 20 34

All are rather more worn than the specimens of true vociferus.

216 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

In discussing the status of this form as a bird of the Bahama Islands
(ANNALS CARNEGIE MusEvuM, VII, 1911, 414), I inadvertently over-
looked Messrs. Bangs and Zappey’s record for the Isle of Pines, where it
is a tolerably common resident, with habits the same as those of the
northern form. Mr. Zappey found a downy young at Bibijagua, and
Mr. Read has recorded it frequently, although it is probable that at
least some of his records refer to the northern form, which is prac-
tically indistinguishable from the other in the open.

61. Charadrius semipalmatus (Bonaparte). SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.

Twelve specimens: Los Indios.

Four of these, shot at dates ranging from September 30 to November
12, show the delayed postjuvenal moult in progress, but it is a curious
fact that in the remainder of the series, although taken between the
same dates, there is no sign of moult. The bird shot September 30 is
shedding the remiges and rectrices, while one shot November 4 is
just completing the renewal of the former. Two taken November 12
are in similar case, and in addition are beginning to acquire the black
feathers of the neck-band and forehead characteristic of the next
plumage.

The Semipalmated Plover is a very abundant winter resident in
suitable situations, thronging the sandy beaches in immense flocks
from September until early in May. It was particularly numerous at
Rincon Lagoon the latter part of February, associated with other
species of shore-birds. It was not observed anywhere in the interior.

62. Pagolla wilsonia wilsonia (Ord). WILSON PLOVER.
Octhodromus wilsonius rufinucha? BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 195

(Playa Larga).

Eleven specimens: Los Indios.

All are in immature (or winter?) dress, having been shot between
September 27 and November 23. Two birds, shot October 14 and
November 12, show new black feathers coming in on the breast-
band. The remiges seem fresh enough in these, but the body-
plumage generally is old and worn. None of the skins show any ap-
proach whatever in their characters to the alleged subspecies “ ru-
finucha,” the status of which has already been fully discussed in an-
other connection (ANNALS CARNEGIE Museum, VII, 1911, 415),
but unfortunately no breeding examples were collected. A series of
such will be required to determine the status of the resident birds.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 21-7

This is a very common species on the coast, wherever there are
sandy beaches, as at Punta del Este, Los Indios, and Rincon Lagoon.
Except in the breeding-season, it was usually observed in large flocks,
often associated with the Semipalmated Plover.

63. Arenaria interpres morinella (Linnzus). RupDy TURNSTONE.

Three specimens: Caleta Grande.

These birds were shot on November 26 and April 18 on the coral-
beach at Caleta Grande, and were all that were seen. They were
found singly, and not associated with any other shore-birds. All are
in winter dress, and in the November birds the remiges are very fresh,
in one case the outer primary still having the sheath attached.

64. Jacana spinosa violacea (Cory). West INDIAN JACANA.
Jacana spinosa (not Fulica spinosa Linneus) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 92

(1. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Asarcia spinosa BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 196 (Santa Rosalia

Lagoon, Laguna Grande, Pasadita, and the Cienaga; habits).

Eight specimens: Santa Ana and Pasadita.

The examination of a series of forty-six adult specimens of Jacana
spinosa, brought together in order to determine the status of the bird
of the Isle of Pines, shows conclusively that the sexes differ materially
from each other in size, and also to a less extent in color. But unlike
most birds, these differences are all in favor of the female, which is
decidedly larger and somewhat more brightly colored than the male,
and with a larger frontal lappet. The three exceptions to this rule
in the series before me are unquestionably wrongly sexed specimens.
So far as I have been able to discover, Gundlach (Ornztologia Cubana,
1895, 237) was apparently the first author to note this fact, which is
confirmed by Sharpe (Catalogue Birds British Museum, XXIV,
1896, 87) and Salvin and Godman ( Biologia Centrali-Americana, Aves,
III, 1903, 343). There is no sexual difference affecting the color of
the inner secondaries, however, as intimated by the former author.
These sexual differences must constantly be kept in mind when com-
paring birds for geographic variation, else confusion is bound to ensue,
as was evidently the case with Mr. Elliot (Auk, V, 1888, 299) and with
Baird, Brewer & Ridgway (Water Birds of North America, I, 1884,
177), who must have been dealing with incorrectly sexed specimens,
and could find no differences correlated with locality. With the
material before me, however, I find no difficulty in recognizing no

218 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

less than three geographic races of this species. Average measure-
ments are as follows:

Wing. Tail. Bill. Tarsus,
Ninesmalesitrom'Vilexdcon arse eieiite cleric cider 117 4I 20 49
Six malesifrom ‘Central Americas. =. 5-5.-..-..... II5 40 30 51.5
Ten males from the West Indies.............. 116.5 40 30 Biss
SixsiemalesiromyViexicOn nce eon ere 133.5 46 Shas) 51
Five females from Central America............ Ti 43-5 32 53-5
Ten females from the West Indies:............. 132 44 33 55-5

Sex for sex, Mexican examples are decidedly duller and darker
below than those from the West Indies, in which the maroon color of
the under parts is much brighter. In the former series the greenish
black of the breast merges more gradually into the maroon of the
abdomen, which is often overspread with a shade of brown, while in
the West Indian birds the transition is more abrupt, and the brown
shade lighter or absent. The color-differences are no less marked
above, although their character is reversed, for while the upper parts
in the Mexican birds are lighter, more rufescent (nearer Hessian brown
of Mr. Ridgway’s Color Standards and Color Nomenclature), in the
West Indian skins they are darker and more purplish (nearer maroon).
There is also a decided difference in the size of the frontal lappet in
favor of the latter series.

Taking up now the Central American series, which includes examples
from Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, we find them
almost exactly intermediate between the Mexican and West Indian
birds. With a larger series the slight discrepancy in size between
Central American and Mexican birds shown by the above table would
doubtless disappear. The frontal lappet, however, certainly averages
larger in the former, although not so large as in the West Indian birds.
In the color of the upper surface the Central American birds most
resemble those from Mexico, while below they are almost as bright
as those from the West Indies. In short, if the latter are to be separ-
ated at all, as I believe they should be, it will be necessary to recognize
three races of this species instead of two. While selected specimens
may be very similar, the average collective. differences are quite suf-
ficient in my judgment to justify subspecific separation, certainly as
much so as in some other groups, the Ground Doves for instance.

Before the question of names for these three forms can be decided
it will be necessary to fix the type-locality of Fulica spinosa Linneus,

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 219

1758. This was based on the figure and description of the ‘‘ Spur-
winged Water-hen ” of Edwards, Natural History of Birds, I, 1743,
48, pl. 48. Edwards gave the locality for his bird as Carthagena,
Colombia, but this was almost certainly an error, inasmuch as there
are no unquestioned records for the species from anywhere south of
Panama, and so far as known Jacana nigra is the only species of this
genus occurring on the north Colombian coast. Parra variabilis
of Linnzus, 1766, has exactly the same basis as his earlier name.
Parra gymnostoma Wagler (Isis, 1832, 517), and Parra cordifera
Lesson (Revue Zodlogique, 1842, 135) are both based on the Mexican
bird, so that to reassign the type-locality on the basis of either of these
authors would necessitate a new name for the Central American form.
In order to obviate this, and to disturb the existing nomenclature as
little as possible, I propose to fix the type-locality of Fulica spinosa
Linneus as Panama. This proceeding leaves Wagler’s name available
for the Mexican form.

Parra violacea Cory (Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, VI,
I881, 130) is the only name so far proposed for the West Indian bird,
the type coming from Haiti. The describer failed to compare his
bird with continental examples, and neither the description nor the
later plate (Cory, Birds of Haiti and San Domingo, 1885, pl. 19) are
diagnostic. Indeed, in the latter volume Mr. Cory (page 159) refers
his P. violacea to P. gymnostoma as a pure synonym, but later (Auk,
V, 1888, 52) he provisionally restores 1t to the rank of a species, saying
that Cuban specimens agree exactly with the Santo Domingo bird,
being “ considerably larger and brighter than specimens of J. gym-
nostoma; the coloration of the wattles is, I believe, also different.”
A few months later Mr. Elliot, in reviewing the species of this group
(Auk, V, 1888, 299), repudiated the name in question, stating that he
could find no differences between specimens of this species from various
parts of its range. Unfortunately I have not been able to examine the
type (which so far as I know is the only known specimen from Haiti)
in this connection, but if the measurements given by Mr. Cory are
correct it is evidently a female individual, and somewhat larger than
the average, but equalled in this respect (except for length of tail):
by an example from Trinidad, Cuba (No. 57,381, Collection American
Museum of Natural History). Three males from this same locality
also average larger than specimens of the same sex from western Cuba,
the Isle of Pines, and Jamaica, notwithstanding which circumstance
I consider them all as belonging to the same form.

220 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

The three forms here recognized may be diagnosed as follows:

Frontal lappets small; upper parts more rufescent; under parts darker and duller.
@Nlexico) epi se wien ne narra otha re fore ine uence Jacana spinosa gymnostoma.
Frontal lappets medium; upper parts more rufescent; under parts rather brighter.
(G@entralgAmrerical) are rior ere eee ee Jacana spinosa spinosa.
Frontal lappets large; upper parts more purplish; under parts decidedly brighter.
CHGSE IbGhNG docenadocudnensanenpoes cou sootidaas Jacana spinosa violacea.

It will thus be seen that my conception of a subspecies is essentially
different from that of Mr. Hellmayr (cf. Novitates Zodlogice, XIII,
1906, 53), who considers that J. ‘‘ melanopygia”’ and J. spinosa should
stand as races of J. jacana, although I fully agree with him that the
recognition of a separate genus Asarcia for J. spinosa, as proposed
by Sharpe, is quite unnecessary.

The Jacana is a fairly common bird in the Isle of Pines, being apt to
occur in almost any fresh-water lagoon. Messrs. Palmer and Riley
shot three individuals in the vicinity of Nueva Gerona, where Mr.
Link also observed it on several occasions, securing one specimen at
Santa Ana, about three miles distant. It was abundant in the
Cienaga in the neighborhood of Pasadita, specimens having been
secured there both by Mr. Zappey and Mr. Link. None were observed
near the western end of the Cienaga, however, the water being rather
too brackish there.

65. Starnoenas cyanocephala (Linneeus). BLUE-HEADED QuAIL DOVE.
Starnenas cyanocephala BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 199 (Caballos
Mountains and ‘‘south coast’’?).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 11 (I. of
Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of Pines, one record).
“*Blue-headed Quail Dove’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines). —READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).
Messrs. Bangs and Zappey include this species in their list on
purely hearsay evidence, stating that while it has never actually been
observed by any naturalist, ‘‘ the natives who know it well positively
assert that a few inhabit the Caballos Mountains and some point
near the south coast.’’ While there is no intrinsic reason why it
should not be found in the Isle of Pines, just as in Cuba, this can scarcely
be regarded as very satisfactory evidence from ascientific standpoint.
Mr. Read, however, reports a single individual as having been secured
on August 26, 1909, adding that it was so badly mutilated that no
effort was made to save it, and it is mainly on the strength of this
record that the species is allowed to remain on the list.

bo
bo
ra

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs.

66. Geotrygon chrysia Salvadori. Key West QuaAIL DOVE.

Geotrygon martinica (not Columba martinica Linnzus) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds,
1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Geotrygon chrysia BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 198 (Pasadita).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of Pines; descr.).

“Quail Dove”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines)—REapD,
Odlogist, X XVI, I909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, rgorr,
113 (West McKinley).

One specimen: Nueva Gerona.

This is one of the rarer birds in the Isle of Pines. Mr. Zappey
took but two specimens, both at Pasadita, remarking that it occurs
only on one or two of the mountains and in the dense forest south of
the Cienaga. Mr. Read asserts that he has taken specimens of this
species, but that it is rare. Mr. Link secured but the one specimen
listed above; this was taken on July 3 in the thick jungle on the Casas
Mountains, and another was seen there on December 30. The bird
secured was an adult female, containing well-developed eggs. It is
markedly duller than a male bird from Cuba.

67. Geotrygon montana (Linneus). Ruppy QuaiLt Dove.

Geotrygon montana Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BANGS & ZapPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 197 (La Vega, Pasadita, and Cayo
Bonito; habits), 203, in text (Santa Sevilla) —READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 149
(I. of Pines; habits); XXVIII, 1911, 11 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News,
VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of Pines; descr.).

“Ruddy Quail Dove”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, OGdlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, 1911, 113 (West
McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

“The Ruddy Quail-dove occurs in the Isle of Pines in the denser
woods only, usually in rather moist places, where the ground is often
flooded after heavy rains. It is nowhere abundant. When flushed
from the ground it flies but a short distance and on alighting again
runs along for a few feet and conceals itself among the vegetation
much after the manner of the American Woodcock (Philohela minor),
which it curiously resembles when started in the deep woods.”
(Bangs & Zappey.)

Mr. Read’s account agrees well with the above. Mr. Link
failed to meet with this species, although he heard of it on one occa-
sion.

222 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

68. Chzmepelia passerina aflavida (Palmer & Riley). CUBAN GROUND

DOVE.

Columba passerina (not of Linneus) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Columbigallina passerina Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).

Columbigallina passerina aflavida BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 197
(Cayo Bonito, El Hospital, Jucaro, and San Juan).—ReEap, Odlogist, XXVIII,
IQII, 11 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (1. of Pines;
nesting).

““Ground Dove’”’ READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 57, 58, 75 (I. of Pines).

“Cuban Ground Dove’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXVII, to10, 5 (Nuevas River), 84
(McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, 1o11, 3 (McRinley and Santa Barbara
Mountain, etc.), 5 (McKinley; nesting), 6 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafiada Mountains,
etc.), 113 (West McKinley), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River),
125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

‘‘West Indian Ground Dove” READ, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 42 (I. of Pines;
nesting).

Chemepelia passerina aflavida READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, tort, 44 (McKinley);
XV, I913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—Topp, Ann. Carnegie
Mus., VIII, 1913, 561 (I. of Pines; references), 509 (Jucaro, El Hospital, San
Juan, Cayo Bonito, and ‘“‘ Nueva Gerona, etc.’’).

Twenty-three specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.

Several of Mr. Read’s records above quoted are additional to those
given by the writer under the head of this form in his late review of the
present genus (ANNALS CARNEGIE MusEum, VIII, 1913, 561-562),
while other references have been corrected. These were among the
few that were not personally verified at the time.

A very common species everywhere, except, of course, in marshy
country, and in dense woodland. At Caleta Grande, on the south
coast, it was the only species of the family observed. It is very tame,
not being subject to persecution as are the larger pigeons and doves,
nor does it appear to go in flocks as do the latter. Mr. Link found
two nests early in May containing eggs almost ready to hatch, while
Mr. Read has recorded fresh eggs as early as January 20, and doubtless
the species breeds here almost every month of the year, as elsewhere
throughout its general range. Young in juvenal dress were taken in
July, December, and February.

69. Zenaida zenaida zenaida (Bonaparte). ZENAIDA DOVE.

Columba zenaida PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Zenaida zenaida Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11 (I. of Pines).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 223

Zenaida zenaida zenaida BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 197 (Almaci-
gos).—ReEapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of Pines).
‘“Zenaida Dove’”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, t911, 10 (Nuevas River), 113 (West

McKinley).

Ten specimens: Los Indios and McKinley.

These are indistinguishable from Bahaman specimens, although the
individual variation is considerable. Females are noticeably duller
than males.

The Zenaida Dove is generally distributed in the dry country north
of the Cienaga, and is often found associated with the West Indian
Mourning Dove, although only about half as numerous as the latter.
Both kinds are shot for food during the open season. Only a few
were seen about Nueva Gerona, but at Los Indios it was fairly common,
occurring in good-sized flocks through the fall and early winter months.
A nest supposed to belong to this species was found in the mangroves
along the Los Indios River late in April.

70. Zenaidura macroura macroura (Linneus). Wrst INDIAN MouRN-
ING DOVE.

Columba carolinensis (not of Linnaeus) Pozty, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Zenaidura macroura Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).

Zenaidura macroura bella BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 197 (Rio
Santiago and El Hospital; habits).

‘*Mourning Dove”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1900, 58 (I. of Pines).

“West Indian Mourning Dove’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, t910, 5 (Nuevas River),
84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, t911, 3 (McKinley), 10 (Nuevas
River), 113 (West McKinley), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley
and Nuevas River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 164 (Santa
Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).—REApD, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr.
25, 1914 (Pine River).

Zenaidura macroura macroura READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV>

. 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Zenaidura macroura marginata (lapsus) READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 11 (I. of
Pines).

Zenaidura carolinensis marginata READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of
Pines, habits).

Eleven specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Bogarona.

After comparing these with a series from the eastern United States
I must confess that I am not very favorably impressed with the claims
of the respective forms to recognition as subspecies. The separation

224 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

is based on the average smaller size of the West Indian bird, and
while this difference certainly exists, it scarcely seems so great as to
demand formal recognition in nomenclature. I can discover no
constant color-differences, the width of the tail-band, to which Messrs.
Palmer and Riley call attention, being a variable character in birds
from both localities.

“Throughout the island in the open pine woods, palmetto groves,
and especially in old fields grown up to weeds, the Cuban Mourning
Dove is an abundant bird. Several nests were found in low trees
five or six feet from the ground” (Bangs & Zappey). Mr. Link
confirms this statement, and adds that he found several nests in the
mangroves along the Los Indios River late in April. In the fall and
winter months the species is usually found in flocks, frequently in
company with other kinds.

71. Columba leucocephala Linneus. \WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON.

Columba leucocephala Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 96 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BANGS & ZAppEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 197 (La Vega).—READ, Bird-Lore,
XIII, torr, 44 (McKinley).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, Igr1, 11 (1. of Pines).
—REaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (Bird I., Siguanea Bay).

““White-crowned Pigeon’’ Reap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines).—READ, OdGlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58, 75 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 15
(I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, 1911, 3 (McKinley), 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 7
(Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River),
125, 127 (Santa Barbara; migr.), 131 (1. of Pines).

‘“White-headled] Pigeon’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River).
Seven specimens: Nueva Gerona, Los Indios, and Bogarona.

‘““ patchy ”’ condition

of the plumage, apparently the result of irregular moult, which I

have previously remarked in the case of Bahaman examples (ANNALS

CARNEGIE Museum, VII, 1911, 416).

This is a common species everywhere, except in the Cienaga, ap-

Most of the specimens secured show the same

pearing in flocks late in February, and remaining until the last of
September. Although a few stragglers may be seen through the winter
months, the vast majority of the individuals withdraw at that season
from their usual range, and according to native report resort to the
‘“south coast,’ in great numbers. It is one of the most numerous
birds of the various mountain ridges in the interior of the island during
the breeding-season, which begins in May. The nest is usually
built in the top of a royal palm, but along the Los Indios River the

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 225

birds were found nesting in the mangroves, rather low down. Mr.
Read says that it was nesting abundantly in the mangroves on Bird
Island in Siguanea Bay at the time of his visit, but Mr. Link failed to
find it there in 1912-13. This pigeon is far shyer than the other
kinds, with which it seldom associates, preferring as it does thicker
covert. It is very fond of the fruit of the ‘“‘ cocoa-plum”’ ( Chryso-
balanus Icaco).

72. Columba squamosa Bonnaterre. SCALY-NAPED PIGEON.

Columba squamosa BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 197 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Palmer and Riley).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, I91I, 13, and XXX, 1913,
131 (I. of Pines), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara; migr.; local range).—READ, I. of
Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I. of Pines, local).

(2?) “El Bobo Pigeon”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1ror1, 3 (Santa Barbara Mountain,
etc.).

While this species is reported to be still rather common in Cuba,
it is now rare in the Isle of Pines, having been almost exterminated
in recent years. Indeed, Mr. Link failed to meet with it at all, nor
did Messrs. Palmer and Riley actually see any individuals, although
they heard a few. Mr. Read tells us that although it was formerly
abundant all over the island, it is now rare and local, being found
only at certain points on the west and south coasts. This scarcity
has been brought about solely by shooting for food and sport, which
bids fair to exterminate, sooner or later, all of the larger pigeons and
doves in the island, unless some means can be found to curtail the
practice before it is too late.

73. Columba inornata proxima Todd, subsp. nov. ISLE OF PINES
PLAIN PIGEON.

Columba inornata (not of Vigors) PorEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 97 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.).—Bancs & Zappry, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 196 (I. of Pines;
Poey’s record).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, I909, 224, and XXVIII, tort, i1 (I.
of Pines); XXVII, I910, 5, and XXVIII, 1011, 6, to (Nuevas River); XXVII,
t910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, 1911, 5 (McKinley; nesting),
7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 114 (West McKinley).—REap, Bird-Lore, XIII,
I9o11, 44 (McKinley); XV, I913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—
READ, OGlogist, XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 127 (Santa Barbara), 130
(I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).—ReEaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 21, 1914 (I.
of Pines).

Chlorenas inornata GUNDLACH, Journ. fiir Orn., 1861, 416 (I. of Pines).—GuNpD-
LACH, Repert. Fis.-Nat. I. Cuba, I, 1866, 29 (Santa Fé).—GunpLacu, An. Soc.
Esp. Hist. Nat. Madrid, II, 1873, 143 (Santa Fé).—GuNDLACH, Contr. Orn.

226 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Cubana, 1876, 128 (I. of Pines)—GunpLacu, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 155 (I. of
Pines).

(2?) Zenaida zenaida (lapsus) READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 148 (I. of Pines).

(?) ‘“‘Zenaida Dove” (lapsus) READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of

Pines).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines).

Columba inornata proxima Topp, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXVIII, 1915, 170

(Los Indios; orig. descr.).

Thirteen specimens: Los Indios.

Type, No. 39,892, Collection Carnegie Museum, adult male; Los
Indios, Isle of Pines, December 13, 1912; Gustav A. Link.

Subspecific characters.—Differs from typical inornata of Cuba in
its decidedly paler, grayer coloration, especially marked in the much
less strongly vinaceous shade of the under surface. The white edgings
of the median and greater wing-coverts are narrower.

Through the courtesy of the authorities of several different insti-
tutions I have been able to bring together a small series of this fast
disappearing species, representing all the various islands included in
its range. Even in this small series geographical variation is evident,
each island apparently possessing a separate form with the exception
of Haiti, the single bird from which is indistinguishable from Cuban
examples. The Isle of Pines race is easily distinguished from the
typical Cuban form by the characters above specified. It is of course
conceivable that these characters may be shared by birds from
western Cuba, a circumstance which might possibly affect the validity
of the name here proposed. The Porto Rican form, to which Mr.
Ridgway has recently applied the name exsul (Proceedings Biological
Society of Washington, XXVIII, 1915, 106), is much deeper in general
coloration, while the Jamaican bird is extreme in this respect.

The males in the Isle of Pines series, besides being slightly larger,
average more “solid ’’ vinaceous below than the females, while the
vinaceous area on the wing-coverts is also deeper and larger. Sep-
tember specimens are in postnuptial moult. ‘‘ Iris white; feet pink.”’

All of the earlier authorities on the birds of Cuba and the Isle of
Pines agree as to the abundance of the Plain Pigeon in both islands,
but of late years its numbers have become very much reduced in
Cuba, and according to the statements of several reliable observers
it is practically extinct in many parts of that island. In the Isle of
Pines, however, it is still common locally, but, with the persecution
to which it is being subjected by the inhabitants, it will be a question
of only a few years before it will be as rare here as in Cuba. The

7

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 227

open season for shooting lasts from September until the end of April,
and thus extends well into the breeding-season. Moreover, the birds
are so easily shot that large bags are the rule. In the spring and fall
months they are found in flocks of greater or less extent, scattered

ae

through the pine-lands, feeding on the fruit of the ‘“ cocoa-plum.”
At such times they may be approached with ease, paying little atten-
tion to an intruder, even after being repeatedly fired at, whence their
common name of ‘‘ El Bobo ”’ (fool) Pigeon.!® Many such flocks were
seen at Los Indios for about a week during the latter part of September,
after which they disappeared, and only a few odd birds were seen
until the end of March, when the flocks began to appear, seeming to
come from the south. The natives say that they retire to the “ south
coast ’’ for the winter months, but this could not be verified. That
there is a limited migration in both Columba leucocephala and the
present species, however, is beyond question. In other sections of
the island it is evidently not so common, Mr. Zappey having secured
but a single specimen on his first trip, and none at all in 1904. Mr.
Read speaks of finding a nest on April 29, 1910, built in a blown-over
tree about twenty feet from the ground, and composed of a few loose
sticks, like that of the Mourning Dove. This nest had eggs on May 4

74. Ara tricolor (Bechstein). CUBAN MACAw.

Ara tricolor Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 101, 127 (I. of Pines).—GUNDLACH,
Orn. Cubana, 1895, 151 (I. of Pines)—BANGS & ZapPpEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX,
1905, 200 (La Vega).—CLArk, Auk, XXII, 1905, 348 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—ROTHSCHILD, Extinct Birds, 1907, 51 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.; Bangs and
Zappey’s record).

The Cuban or Great Antillean Macaw, the range of which at one
time included not only Cuba and the Isle of Pines, but also Haiti and
Jamaica, has been extinct for many years, having been destroyed by
the inhabitants because of its value for food. Gundlach attributes it
to the Isle of Pines, and Messrs. Bangs and Zappey remark as tollows:
“Tt has been supposed that perhaps the Cuban Macaw still lingered
in the Isle of Pines. Unfortunately this is not so. The last pair
known in the island was shot at La Vega, near the Cienaga, about the
year 1864, and none have been seen since. This information was

16 Mr. Read claims that this name properly belongs to Columba squamosa, but
Gundlach applies it to the present species, and Mr. Link indorses this procedure.
Mr. Reed seems to have confused one or both of these pigeons with the Zenaida
Dove during the early part of his work.

228 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

furnished by the man on whose plantation they were shot.” The
fate which has befallen this and other West Indian parrots bids fair
to overtake additional species of this family.

75. Aratinga euops (Wagler). CUBAN PAROQUET.

Conurus guianensis (not Psittacus guianensis Gmelin) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat.
Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Conurus euops GUNDLACH, Contr. Orn. Cubana, 1876, 126 (I. of Pines).—Cory,
Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, tor (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn,
Cubana, 1893, 152 (I. of Pines)—Bancs & ZapprEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
200 (I. of Pines).—CLark, Auk, XXII, 1905, 310 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
Gundlach, writing some twenty years ago, says that the Cuban

Paroquet was formerly very abundant in the Isle of Pines, but at the

rate it was being taken for the cage-bird traffic it would be merely a

question of a few years more before it would be entirely exterminated.

Hundreds of young birds were being exported every year, it seems.

This prediction has been fulfilled, for neither Mr. Zappey nor Mr. Link

met with the species during their respective visits to the island, nor

did they even hear any reports of its occurrence. The outcome in

this case will inevitably be that of other species in this family also,

unless the traffic in living birds can in some way be stopped.

76. Amazona leucocephala palmarum subsp. nov. ISLE OF PINES
PARROT.

Psittacus leucocephalus (not of Linneus) PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Chrysotis leucocephalus GUNDLACH, Contr. Orn. Cubana, 1876, 124 (I. of Pines?).—
GuNDLACH, Auk, VIII, 1891, 189, in text (I. of Pines; plumage).—GUNDLACH,
Orn. Cubana, 1893, 149 (I. of Pines).

Amazona leucocephala BANGS & ZappEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 201 (Pasadita
and El Hospital; nesting)—REAp, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, tr (I. of Pines).—
READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

“Green Parrot’’ REAp, Odlogist, XX VI, 19009, 58 (I. of Pines).

“Cuban Green Parrot’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 168 (Los Indios).

“Cuban Parrot’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River); XXVIII,
to1t, 5 (McKinley; nesting), 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley);
XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley and Nuevas River), 125, 129, pl. (Santa Barbara;
nesting), 130 (I. of Pines).

Twenty-four specimens: Bibijagua and Los Indios.

Type, No. 39,630, Collection Carnegie Museum, adult female; Los
Indios, Isle of Pines, October 9, 1912; Gustav A. Link.

Subs pecific characters —Similar to A mazona leucocephala leucocephala

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 229

(Linnzus), but general color darker green; the abdominal purplish
red patch averaging darker and more extensive; and the throat some-
what deeper red.

Measurements.—Male (ten specimens): wing, 190-196 (average,
194); tail, 110-122 (116); exposed culmen, 25-28 (26.6); depth of bill,
28-31 (29). Female (ten specimens): wing, 184-194 (187); tail,
102-119 (113.5); exposed culmen, 25-27 (26); depth of bill, 27-29
(27.6).

With a series of twenty-four specimens of the Isle of Pines Amazona
leucocephala before me I find that they differ sufficiently from the
average Cuban bird to bear formal separation. While it is true that
there is considerable variation in the extent of the abdominal purplish
red patch in both series (possibly dependent on age), the average dif-
ference between the two series in this respect is fairly well marked,
and taken in connection with the other characters above mentioned
is in my judgment sufficient to justify the recognition of the form from
the Isle of Pines as distinct. Save that the latter seems to have a slightly
longer tail, there is apparently no especial difference in size, so far
at least as indicated by the series examined in this connection.

Numerous individuals in the present fine series show scattered green
feathers on the throat and sides of the head, while in others the crown
feathers along the posterior line of the white frontal patch are stained
with yellow or crimson. <A specimen shot July 6 is evidently a young
bird in full moult, judging from its small size, differently colored bill,
restricted white front, and small amount of red on the rectrices.
Another taken September 21 is a very pale bird, in which the tertials
are narrowly tipped with crimson, and the abdominal purplish red
patch very extensive.

Judging from reports of the relative numbers annually exported,
this parrot is more numerous at the present time in the Isle of Pines
than is its relative in Cuba. One dealer in live birds was shipping
about twenty-one hundred young parrots from the Isle of Pines in
July, 1912, but in all Cuba had been able to secure only about a
thousand birds for this purpose. According to his testimony, they
were formerly much more abundant than at present, and of course
will continue to decrease indefinitely unless this practice can be
checked. So important had the business of trapping parrots become
at one time that there grew up in many parts of the island a system
of “ parrot lines,’’ to define the hunting rights of different individuals,

230 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

and these lines frequently figure in present-day boundary disputes.
The parrot-hunters keep taking the young birds at every opportunity,
and make a practice of removing the eggs or young of distant nests to
nests of other pairs which chance to be nearer their own homes, so as
to keep rival hunters from eventually securing them. Three or four
eggs constitute the usual complement, but often a pair of birds is
compelled to rear twice as many young for the sole benefit of the parrot-
hunters. The nests are invariably built in an old woodpecker’s hole
in a bottle-palm, usually only fifteen or twenty feet from the ground,
and the eggs are pure white. Mr. Link’s first nest was found early in
April, and on April 15 a set of three eggs was secured. Mr. Read
records a nest still containing young as late as June 27. Parrots are
fairly common throughout the drier parts of the island (except in the
mountains), affecting the groves of pine and bottle-palms (PSS:
fig. 3). They feed on the cones and tender shoots of the pines, as
well as on the seeds of the royal palm, and it is said that they also
damage the cultivated grape-fruit, on which account they are con-
sidered a nuisance, and many are shot. Except in the nesting-season,
they are found in large flocks, and are at all times very noisy and un-
suspicious. The bulk of the individuals seem to disappear in Septem-
ber, however, and only a few odd birds are to be seen until the latter
part of January. The natives say that during this interim they retire
to the “‘ south coast,” like the pigeons, but this statement could not be
confirmed.

77. Crotophaga ani Linneus. ANI.

Crotophaga ani PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 102 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BAncs & Zappey, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 200 (Cayo Bonito, Santa Fé,
and Jucaro; habits).—REAbD, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102 (I. of Pines; habits);
XXVIII, rorr, 12 (I. of Pines)—Reap, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley);
XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

“Black Parrot’? READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines), 102 (crit.).

““Ani’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (1. of Pines). —READ, OGlogist,
XXVI, 1909, 223 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, 5, and XXVIII, Io11, 6, Io
(Nuevas River), 3 (McKinley), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Mc-
Kinley and Nuevas River), 125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los
Indios).

Thirteen specimens: Nueva Gerona and Los Indios.
These are precisely like specimens from other West Indian localities.
There is one bird in juvenal dress, dated June 29.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 231

The Ani was not detected in the Cienaga or in the country to the
southward, but to the northward it is a very common and generally
distributed species. It prefers the more open country, and is emi-
nently gregarious in its habits, often being seen in pastures attending
the cattle and other stock. Like the Caracara and some other birds,
it is fond of following in the wake of brush-fires, picking up the roasted
lizards, snails, and insects. On several occasions flocks were found
roosting in the mangroves along the Los Indios River, attracting
attention by their habit of huddling close together on the perch,
like domestic fowls.

78. Saurothera decolor Bangs & Zappey. ISLE oF PINES LIZARD
Cuckoo.

Saurothera merlini (not of D’Orbigny) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Saurothera merlini decoloy BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 199 (La
Vega, Cayo Bonito, and El Hospital; orig. descr.; type now in Mus. Comp. Zodl.;
habits; crit.) —ALLEN, Auk, XXII, 1905, 320, in text (review).—Ep1rTors, Ibis,
1905, 631, in text (review).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 190 (I. of Pines),
223 (I. of Pines; descr.; habits); XXVIII, 1911, 12 (1. of Pines).—READ, Bird-
Lore, XIII, t91t1, 44 (McKinley); XV, I913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa
Barbara).—REAaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Nov. 22, 1913 (I. of Pines; habits).

“Lizard Cuckoo” READ, Odlogist, XX VII, t910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona).

“Tsle of Pines Lizard Cuckoo”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 5 (Santa Barbara
Mountain, etc.), 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 114 (West
McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 125, 130 (Santa Barbara), 164
(Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).

Twenty-one specimens: Nueva Gerona, Bibijagua, and Los Indios.

This is a very distinct form, differing so markedly from S. merlint
of Cuba that I venture to raise it to the rank of a species. As stated
in the original description, it seems in fact to be rather nearer to
S. bahamensis in general coloration, resembling S. merlini, however,
in having the primaries rufous. The series of adults is very uniform
as a whole, the size and shape of the black markings on the tail being
perhaps the most variable character. A number of young birds, dis-
tinguished by their duller and paler coloration, and by the lack of a
subterminal black bar on the rectrices, were taken between June 28
and July 3.

Pcey appears to have been the only author to record a Saurothera
from the Isle of Pines previous to Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, whose
specimens proved to belong to a form quite different from that of
Cuba. With reference to its habits, they state that it is ‘‘a common

232 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

bird in rough, rocky country, wherever there is a thick growth of scrub
and bushes, and is very tame. It has a habit of hopping from one
branch to another till it reaches the top of a bush and then sailing
down to the ground or the lower branches of another bush. Its usual
call-note is a sort of laugh that begins low and slowly, and rapidly
ascending, ends in a low chuckle. When two individuals are within
sight of each other they often go through a curious performance,
which consists in lowering the head and dropping the feathers of the
throat which then looks like a large pouch, at the same time spreading
the wings and tail to their fullest extent and repeating the loud chuck-
ling notes that end the usual call. The stomachs of those taken con-
tained the remains of small lizards, beetles, caterpillars, and large
moths.’’ It is a common species everywhere in the island, except
in the Cienaga.

Coccyzus americanus (Linneus). YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.

(?) ‘West Indian Yellow-billed Cuckoo’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 13 (I.
of Pines), 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

This is the only species of this genus known to regularly visit Cuba, so that it
is presumably this form which is meant by Mr. Read under the above caption. He
speaks of having seen individuals on April 20, 1910, and March 3, ro11, but, as
some doubt attaches to the identification, the records are open to question.
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wilson). BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.

(2?) Coccyzus erythrophthalmus READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 12 (1. of Pines).

(2?) ‘“‘Black-billed Cuckoo"? Reap, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines);
XXVIII, 1911, 114 (West McKinley).

This species, migrating as it does through Mexico and Central Ametica, is of
merely accidental occurrence in Cuba, and unknown in the other Antilles. Mr.
Read’s records, above cited, refer to individuals noted on May II, 1909, and in
November, 1910, respectively. In reply to an inquiry he writes that the first one
was actually secured, but as the specimen is unfortunately not now extant, and
there is no way of confirming the record otherwise, it is deemed unwise to admit
it under the circumstances.

79. Glaucidium siju vittatum Ridgway. IsLE oF PINES PyGmMy OWL.

Noctua siju (not of D’Orbigny) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Glaucidium siju Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 100 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—BAncs & ZappeEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 202 (Santa Fé and Cayo Bonito;
habits).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 190; XXVII, 1910, 35 (I. of Pines;
descr.; habits); XXVIII, rorz, 11 (I. of Pines)—READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1o11,
44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—READ,
OGlogist, XXX, 1913, 122 (McKinley; habits)—Reap, I. of Pines News, VI,
Jan. 24, 1914 (descr.; habits).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. PIB

“Cuban Pygmy Owl’ Reap, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 5, and XXVIII, ro11, 10
(Nuevas River), 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain), 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.),
113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 125 (Santa Barbara),
130 (I. of Pines).

Glaucidium siju vittatum RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50,’ VI, 1914, 805
(Nueva Gerona; orig. descr.; type in coll. U. S. Nat. Mus.).

Eighteen specimens: Nueva Gerona, Bibijagua, and Los Indios.

Messrs. Bangs and Zappey could discover no particular difference
between specimens of Glaucidium siju from Cuba and the Isle of Pines
respectively, and it remained for Mr. Ridgway to distinguish the form
from the latter island. Judging from the series brought back by
Mr. Link, which I have had the opportunity of comparing with another
series from various parts of Cuba, it is a well-marked geographic race,
differing not only in its somewhat larger size, but also in its more
grayish, less rufescent coloration, both above and below. There is
some variation, it is true, of an apparently individual character,
affecting the exact pattern of the markings of the under parts, which
in some specimens tend to arrange themselves in bars, and in others
partake more of the nature of streaks. Only one of the Cuban speci-
mens before me is as gray above as the average Isle of Pines bird, and
while half of the Cuban series are in the rufescent phase described by
Mr. Ridgway, not a single specimen of the Isle of Pines series shows
any approach fo that condition of plumage.

This little owl is common and generally distributed in the Isle of
Pines, and is one of the first birds to attract the attention of a new-
comer, coming boldly as it does into gardens and the vicinity of
houses, and showing little fear of man. It appears to feed mainly on
grasshoppers, beetles, and lizards, although from the treatment it
receives from small birds it is evident that these also enter to some
extent into its bill of fare. Indeed, Mr. Read records a case in which
one of these owls even attacked and killed a Cuban Meadowlark—a
species larger than itself—only to be in its turn attacked and driven off
by a half-dozen of the latter. In habits it is more diurnal than noc-
turnal, and its call, described by Mr. Read as a series of shrill, sharp,
short whistles, high-pitched at first, and gradually descending the
scale, is apt to be heard at any time of the day or night. It has a
peculiar habit of nervously twitching its tail, sometimes even holding
it erect, wren-fashion. Nothing appears to be on record concerning
its nesting in the Isle of Pines, but Gundlach says that the Cuban

234 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

bird is wont to use the old holes of woodpeckers in palm-trees for this
purpose, laying its eggs in March and April.

80. Gymnasio lawrencii exsul Bangs. ISLE OF PINES BARE-LEGGED
OWL.

Noctua nudipes (not Strix nudipes Daudin) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854,
426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Gymnasio lawrencii Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 100 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —-GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 35 (I. of Pines).—BANncs & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 202 (Pasadita and Santa Sevilla; habits; crit.).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 13 (I. of Pines).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 679 (Pasadita and Santa Sevilla; meas.).—READ, I. of
Pines News, VI, Jan. 24, 1914 (I. of Pines; descr.).—RerEapD, Bird-Lore, XVI,
1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Gymnasio lawrencii exsul BANGS, Proc. New England Zodlogical Club, IV, 1913,
or (Santa Sevilla; orig. descr.; type now in coll. Mus. Comp. Zodél.; meas.;
crit.).—STONE, Auk, XXX, 1913, 453, in text (review).

Two specimens: Nueva Gerona.

Besides the above, I have before me two of the birds collected by
Mr. Zappey, and the type-specimen of Gymnoglaux lawrencii Sclater
and Salvin (No. 39,111, Collection U. S. National Museum; Remedios,
Cuba, October 30, 1863; N. H. Bishop), as well as six other specimens
from Cuba, kindly loaned by Messrs. Bangs and Ramsden. There is
some variation in both series, but the general differences between the
two, pointed out by Mr. Bangs, are obvious at a glance. The speci-
mens from eastern and central Cuba are much more rufescent both
above and below than those from the Isle of Pines, while the white
spotting on the back and wings, as well as the light barring on the
tail, is much less pronounced. There is no especial difference in size,
however. A skin from San Francisco de Morales, in western Cuba,
agrees better with the Isle of Pines birds than with those from eastern
Cuba, so that it is probable that this is the form inhabiting the entire
western part of the island. Although Mr. Ridgway sinks exsul as a
synonym of Jawrencii, and it is of course possible that with a larger
series the characters relied on for their discrimination might break
down, or prove to have no especial geographical significance, I have
no other alternative than to recognize it for the present.

This species is rare in the Isle of Pines, but being strictly nocturnal,
this rarity may be more apparent than real. Mr. Zappey secured three
specimens in all, at Pasadita and Santa Sevilla, finding a brood of three
half-grown young at the latter locality, the nest being in a hole in a

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 235

tree. The pair of birds brought back by Mr. Link were taken in a
small cave on the slope of the Caballos Mountains near Nueva Gerona
on February 15. The female showed no signs of breeding at this date.

81. Asio stygius (Wagler). StTyGIAN OwL.

Asio stygius Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 100 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—
GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 33 (I. of Pines)—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat-
Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 658 (La Vega, in geog. distr.; crit.).

Nyctalops stygius siguapa BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, I905, 201 (La
Vega; crit.; ex Otus siguapa D’Orbigny).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan.
24, 1914 (I. of Pines, rare).

One specimen: Pasadita.

This is a rare bird in the Isle of Pines, and does not appear to be
much, if at all, more numerous in Cuba. Mr. Zappey, who was for-
tunate enough to secure a fine adult male at La Vega on May 25,
1904, reports that it is found only in the heaviest and densest forests,
and because of its strictly nocturnal habits it is extremely hard to
obtain. Mr. Link secured a single young bird on May 28, at Pasadita.
This specimen, being in moult from the downy stage, is useless for
comparison, but Messrs. Bangs and Zappey say that their specimen
differs from continental examples in being much paler, and they ac-
cordingly adopt D’Orbigny’s name, based on the Cuban bird, as the
proper subspecific appellation of the supposed form. But Mr. Ridg-
way, while admitting the peculiarities of their Isle of Pines specimen,
finds himself unable to satisfactorily divide the species on this basis,
and it seems a safer course to follow this conclusion for the present.

82. Tyto perlata furcata (Temminck). WHITE-WINGED BARN OWL.

Strix furcata Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).

Strix pratincola furcata Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 100 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—BaANnGs & ZapPEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 202 (Santa Sevilla; food).
—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan. 24, 1914 (I. of Pines; habits).

“Cuban Barn Owl’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 13, and XXX, 1913, 125
(Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 164 (Santa Barbara to Nueva Gerona).

Tyto perlata furcata RipDGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 602 (Santa
Sevilla, in geog. distr.; meas.).

Six specimens: McKinley. Nueva Gerona, Los Indios, and Pasadita.
Two of these six skins are very pale above as compared with the
others, while the amount of spotting below also varies to some extent.
Only one individual shows any dark marking on the tail, and this is

236 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

confined to some brown shaft-spots, and fine mottling at the tips of
some of the feathers.

Poey recorded this species many years ago from the Isle of Pines,
and Mr. Read also has occasionally observed it, a specimen collected
by him at McKinley being now in the collection of the Carnegie
Museum. The five fine specimens sent in by Mr. Link were secured
in every case during moonlight nights, in the vicinity of poultry-
houses, where these owls often come in search of their prey. On such
occasions they are readily attracted by making any kind of a squeaking
noise, when they come up and circle about overhead, presenting a fair
shot. They seem to be strictly nocturnal, and for this reason they
are seldom observed, and may be far more common than is apparent.
Mr. Read says that they are accustomed to spend the day in the thick
tops of the bottle-palms, and adds that they are often attracted in
the night-time by the brilliant headlights of an automobile, and fly
down in front of the machine. The stomachs of all the individuals
examined contained feathers, whence it is evident that small birds
constitute a larger proportion of the food of this species than in the
case of the Barn Owl of continental North America, which feeds so
largely on small mammals. The single example shot by Mr. Zappey
had been eating a Ruddy Quail Dove. Nothing appears to be on
record concerning its nesting habits, so far as the Isle of Pines is con-
cerned.

83. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus (Gmelin). NIGHTHAWK.

Chordeiles virginianus virginianus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 203
(Santa Fé; meas.).—OBERHOLSER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 86, 1914, 517
(Santa Fé; crit.).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 562
(Santa Fé, in geog. distr.).

The only positive record for the typical form of the Nighthawk
from the Isle of Pines appears to be that above quoted, which refers
to a single specimen shot by Mr. Zappey at Santa Fé on May 10, 1904,
and which proved to be exactly like examples from New England.
Gundlach says that it occurs regularly in Cuba during migration,
in October and May, so that it is doubtless a regular migrant in the
Isle of Pines also, but may often have been confused with the smaller
resident form.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. Bon

84. Chordeiles virginianus minor (Cabanis). CUBAN NIGHTHAWK.
(Plate X XVI.)

Chordeiles minor Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 105 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, tor (I. of Pines).

Chordeiles virginianus minor BANGS & Zappry, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 203
(Los Almacigos, Santa Fé, and El Hospital; plum.; habits).—ReEap, Odlogist,
XXVIII, tort, r2 (I. of Pines).—REApD, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan. 3, 1914
(habits) —OBERHOLSER, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 86, 1914, 82 (Nueva Gerona,
El Hospital, and Los Almacigos; meas.; crit.)—RipGWaAy, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 576 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

“Nighthawk’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines).

“Antillean Nighthawk’’ REApD, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 7 (I. of Pines; migr.),
11 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 124 (Pine River), 125
(Santa Barbara; migr.), 168 (Los Indios).

“Cuban Nighthawk”? READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, summer;
migr.).

“West Indian Nighthawk’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 159-162, 4 pls. (Santa
Barbara; figs. nest and eggs).

Three specimens: Bibijagua, McKinley, and Los Indios.

This is the race of Chordeiles virginianus which is a summer resident
in the Greater Antilles. It may readily be distinguished by its small
size, and is furthermore peculiar in having a rufescent phase of plumage
entirely independent of age, sex, or season. In the present series there
is one female in this rufescent phase, and another more grayish, also
one male in the gray phase. The significance of this dichromatism is
no more understood than in other cases in which it occurs. Mr.
Oberholser has given reasons for believing that C. v. minor is probably
the nearest living representative of the “ original-stock ’’ form, and
it is certainly a very strongly marked subspecies, if not indeed worthy
of higher rank.

A very common bird in the Isle of Pines, the generally open character
of much of the country being very well suited to its needs. In its
habits it closely resembles the northern form, flying mostly in the
morning and evening in dry weather, but throughout the day during
rainy weather, at which times scores may be in sight at once. Itisa
summer resident only, but arrives very early, Mr. Link’s first specimen
having been taken February 6, while Mr. Read recorded it in 1912 om
March 14. It lays its eggs on the ground in open situations, and the
young are hatched in May. Plate X XVI shows the incubating bird,
and is reproduced from a photograph made by Mr. Read, a cut pre-~

238 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

pared from which has been kindly loaned by Mr. R. M. Barnes, the
editor of The Odlogist. None were seen after the last of September.
Its winter home appears to be still unknown.

85. Setochalcis cubanensis (Lawrence). CUBAN WHIP-POOR-WILL.

Caprimulgus vociferus? (not of Wilson) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Antrostomus vociferus? BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 203 (I. of Pines,
ex Poey; crit.).

Antrostomus cubanensis BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 203 (Cienaga).
—READ, Odlogist, X XVII, rtotI, 12 (I. of Pines).—R1pDGway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 513 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

“‘Whip-poor-will’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, OGlogist, X XVI, 1909, 124 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, 1911, 113 (West Mc-
Kinley).

“Cuban Whip-poor-will” REAp, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 131
(1. of Pines).

Inasmuch as the common Whip-poor-will is unknown in the West
Indies (except for a single accidental occurrence in Porto Rico), it is
practically certain that Poey’s record above quoted refers to the present
species, which otherwise is known only from Cuba, and seems to be
rare in collections. Mr, Zappey shot a single bird in June, in the dense
woods south of the Cienaga, but unfortunately it was too much mangled
to be preserved. Mr. Link did not meet with this species, but Mr.
Read says that he has noted it on a few occasions in the northwestern
part of the island, and writes that he has even found it nesting there.

86. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmelin). _CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.

Antrostomus carolinensis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 105 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.)—GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 103 (I. of Pines).—RipGway,
Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 506 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
According to Gundlach, the present species is not rare in Cuba,

occurring every year, presumably as a winter resident. He attributes

it also to the Isle of Pines without special comment, this being the
only record so far available. It should be looked for in suitable
covert at the proper season.

87. Todus multicolor Gould. CuBAN Topy.

‘Todus portoricensis Porky, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Todus multicolor Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 103 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—Bancs & ZapPey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 201 (Santa Fé and Cayo Bonito;

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 239

habits).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 190 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, 62
(I. of Pines; descr.; habits); XXVIII, ror1, 13 (J. of Pines); XXX, 1913, 123
(McKinley).—REApD, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Bar-
bara).—READ, I. of Pines News, V, Nov. 7, 1913 (descr.; habits)—RIDGWAY,

Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 443 (Nueva Gerona, Cayo Bonito, and
Santa Fé; meas.).

“Cuban Tody”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rgrr, 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.);

XXX, 1913, 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

Eighteen specimens: Nueva Gerona and Los Indios.

Compared with a small series from Cuba, the Isle of Pines birds
differ only in having the sides of the neck rather deeper blue, but the
difference is slight and not entirely constant. There is some individual
variation observable in the color of the breast, which in some in-
dividuals is tinged with pink.

This brilliant little bird is an inhabitant of the thickets, and is very
common in such situations throughout the island, being particularly
numerous on the mountain slopes. It feeds on insects, darting out
after them like a flycatcher, the wings making a buzzing sound like a
hummingbird’s. Its call-note is a rattling sound likened by Messrs.
Bangs and Zappey to that made by striking two small pebbles to-
gether. It is the reverse of shy, manifesting much curiosity over an
intruder into its haunts, and sometimes following for a little distance.
It seems to have a special antipathy towards the Ricord Humming-
bird, driving it off at every opportunity. Mr. Link did not succeed
in finding any nests.

88. Streptoceryle alcyon alcyon (Linneus). BELTED KINGFISHER.

Alcedo alcyon PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).

Ceryle alcyon BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 201 (I. of Pines, winter).
—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 12 (1. of Pines).

“Belted Kingfisher’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—REaD, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River);
XXVIII, ro1r, 7 (I. of Pines; migr.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125,
127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

Two specimens: Los Indios and Nueva Gerona.

A winter resident, fairly common along the rivers, but not seen along
the coast. A few were noted also in the Cienaga, near Siguanea. It
arrives from the north in September, the earliest date recorded by
Mr. Read being September 12, 1913. It was observed at Los Indios
as late as the first half of April.

240 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

89. Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linneus). YELLOW-BELLIED Woop-
PECKER.

Picus varius Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).

Sphyrapicus varius Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 104 (1. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 139 (I. of Pines).

Sphyrapicus varius varius BANGS & ZApPpEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 206 (I. of
Pines; Poey’s record).—RiIpDGWaAy, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 274
(I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

Poey lists this species among those observed by Gundlach near
Nueva Gerona, and it is also given by Gundlach himself from the Isle
of Pines. It is a regular winter visitant to Cuba. Mr. Zappey saw
a few in March, 1902, but none were noted on his later trip. Neither
Mr. Link nor Mr. Read appear to have met with it, so that it cannot
be a very common or regular visitant to the Isle of Pines.

go. Xiphidiopicus percussus insule-pinorum Bangs. ISLE oF PINES
GREEN WOODPECKER.

Picus percussus (not of Temminck) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva
Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Xiphidiopicus percussus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 104 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.) —GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 140 (I. of Pines).—BaNncs &
Zappey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 206 (Santa Fé, Cayo Bonito, and Jucaro).—
ReaD, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVI, 1909, 124, and XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of Pines).— READ, I. of Pines News,
VI, Jan. 17, 1914 (descr.; habits).

‘“‘Cuban Green Woodpecker’? READ, Odlogist, XXVII, Ioto, 5, and XXVIII,
1911, 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 3 (McKinley), 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.);
XXX, 1913, 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

Xiphidiopicus percussus insule-pinorum BANGS, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
XXIII, 1910, 173 (Santa Fé; orig. descr.; type now in coll. Mus. Comp. Zodl.;
meas.).—READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).—RipGway, Bull.
U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 185 (Nueva Gerona, Santa Fé, Jucaro, and
Cayo Bonito, ex Bangs & Zappey; diag.).

Twenty-nine specimens: Nueva Gerona and Los Indios.

Not all of the alleged differences pointed out by Mr. Bangs appear
to hold good upon comparison, but the smaller size, more restricted
red throat-patch, and generally narrower streaking of the under parts
are excellent diagnostic characters of this very distinct insular sub-
species. Moreover, the median throat-stripe is wholly black, while
in the specimens of true percussus examined it is tinged with red almost
to the chin. The extent of the streaking on the under surface is a

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 241

variable character, as is also the width of the median black throat-band.
Females would seem on an average to have the outer rectrices more
decidedly barred than males. Two females in juvenal dress, taken on
May 3 and June 28 respectively, have the feathers of the pileum (except
anteriorly) tipped with red, asin the adult male. The crimson patch
on the breast is lacking, and the general coloration duller, but other-
wise they are like adults.

Although by no means so abundant as the other native woodpecker,
the present species is nevertheless a common bird, preferring the depths
of the jungle, however, to the palm-groves. Its call-note is not unlike
that of the Yellow-bellied species. It is a much less noisy bird
than the Centurus, and thus is more apt to escape observation. The
natives accuse it of injuring fruit in the same manner as the other
species, but it is very doubtful if the charge is justified, since it is not
accustomed to frequent the orange and grape-fruit groves to any great
extent. Two nests were discovered, one at Los Indios, the other at
Siguanea. Both were excavated in mangroves, and contained young
at the time (Apriland May). Mr. Read, however, says that it usually
nests in the pines at the very edge of the jungle.

gi. Centurus superciliaris murceus Bangs. ISLE oF PINES Woop-
PECKER.

Colaptes superciliaris (not Picus superciliaris Temminck) PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat.
Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Centurus superciliaris GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 141 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102 (I. of Pines; syn.); XXVIII, ror1, 12 (I. of Pines).
—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Nov. 29, 1913 (descr.; habits).

Melanerpes superciliaris BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, I905, 206 (San
Juan, Jucaro, Nueva Gerona, and Los Almacigos; plum.; meas.; crit.).

“Red-bellied Woodpecker’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines).

““Cuban Red-bellied Woodpecker’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 445
(1. of Pines).—READ, Odlogist, X XVII, 1910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona);
XXVIII, tot1, 3 (McKinley and Santa Barbara Mountain), 5 (McKinley;
nesting), 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas
River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

Centurus superciliaris murceus BANGS, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXII, 1910,
173 (San Juan; orig. descr.; type now in coll. Mus. Comp. Zoél.; meas.).—
READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, VI, 1914, 61 (Nueva Gerona, Santa Fé (?), San Juan, Jucaro, and
Los Almacigos, ex Bangs & Zappey; diag.).

Thirty-six specimens: Nueva Gerona, Los Indios, and Santa Rosalia
Lagoon.

242 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Save for the changes incident to wear and fading, this series is fairly
uniform. The greatest variation observable is that affecting the
barring on the outer rectrices, which is very conspicuous in some in-
dividuals, in others almost obsolete. The middle rectrices vary some-
what also, the outer webs sometimes having a stripe of white along the
shaft, and sometimes a row of spots. These variations occur in both
sexes. Four nestlings from Los Indios, taken May 8, are interesting
as showing that in juvenal dress the female has more or less red on the
crown, thus approximating the pattern of the adult male, as in other
species of this family.

Compared with specimens of true superciliaris from Guantanamo,
Cuba, kindly loaned by Mr. Charles T. Ramsden, males from the
Isle of Pines are somewhat smaller, but are little different in color,
contrary to the claim of Mr. Bangs. The forehead, throat, and sides
of the head average more brownish, less whitish, however, and the
supraorbital black patch seems to average larger. Females of the
two forms are of the same size, and the colors about the same also;
in fact, the only distinguishing mark I can find is the much greater
width of the black band on the crown in the birds from the Isle of
Pines.

This woodpecker is one of the most abundant and generally dis-
tributed birds on the island, in spite of the persecution to which it is
subjected by the inhabitants, because of the damage which it is
said to do to grape-fruit, oranges, and guavas. The injury in ques-
tion is done by puncturing the fruits to reach the soft, sweet pulp,
for which the birds manifest a special fondness. As they are by no
means shy, it is a simple matter to kill them under such circumstances,
The nest is invariably built in a bottle-palm or royal palm, sometimes
as low as four feet from the ground. Two sets, of five and six eggs
respectively, were taken at Los Indios on May 3 and 5, while another
nest found May 8 contained young not quite ready to fly.

92. Priotelus temnurus vescus Bangs & Zappey. ISLE OF PINES
TROGON.

Trogon temnurus (not of Temminck) PorEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Priotelus temnurus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 103 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).

Priotelus temnurus vescus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 204 (Los
Almacigos, Pueblo Nuevo, Pasadita, and Cayo Bonito, orig. descr.; type now

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 243

in coll. Mus. Comp. Zoél.; meas.; crit.; habits)—ALLEN, Auk, XXII, 1905,
329, in text (review).—EpiTors, Ibis, 1905, 631, in text (review).—READ,
OGdlogist, XXXVI, I909, I90 (I. of Pines), 223 (I. of Pines; descr.; habits);
XXVIII, tori, 13 (I. of Pines)—R1pGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50,
V, 1911, 795 (Los Almacigos, Pueblo Nuevo, Pasadita, and Cayo Bonito, ex
Bangs & Zappey; diag.).—REaD, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV,
1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913,
122 (McKinley; habits).—REap, I. of Pines News, Nov. 8, 1914 (descr.; habits).

“‘Tsle of Pines Trogon”’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, toro, 5 (Nuevas River); XXVIII,
191i, 5 (McKinley; nesting); XXX, 1913, 123 (Nuevas River), 130 (I. of Pines),
168 (Los Indios).

Twelve specimens: Nueva Gerona, Hato, and Los Indios.

There is one female in juvenal dress, shot July 2. It resembles the
adult, but is of course duller, the pileum with little bluish gloss, and
the red of the under parts paler and mostly confined to the under tail-
coverts. The tail and wings are not different from those of the adult,
except that the white on the tips of the tertiaries is much reduced and
confined to an oblong spot on the outer web.

MEASUREMENTS.

Priotelus temnurus temnurus:

No. Sex. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill.

2OT ct Guantanamoy Cuban -aqacesac setae see ae 129 123 18

77216 ov eGuantanamon €ubawna-ca. gays aes 120 II4 75

rorg!é On We Holguin subacute aa cers sci. Sense = Shiota 120 II5

IA: et slo leaiita, (Ciilottome co yd ou ooo 0b aa Or T2385 120.5 18.5
1492717 Oo FolsuinSiCubarers ca acid wee ae ae eee I24 118 19
ACE! of lslolleqnivn, (Cilia. 6 ond5 on eHonadonnaoner 123 118 eS
T1976!" ots, Il Gormiey Ciltingn scascnnageosooemee 124 120, 20

Priotelus temnurus vescus:
Bo47018 ot Nueval‘Gerona, I-vof Pines. 5.4.42... - LUE 100 18
AII3118 fof INuevaiGeronay Is of Bines: a...) 24. IIS 118 75
4122018 fof INueva Gerona: pofsPiness ey s.mens vee Drs 108 18
4124618 CL oselndiosminof binesmtasc cir crseiete ari I16 smote) 18
4134018 Cole OSrindiosmieofeRinesh er a eye ea 18 106 17
1325017 Cu wospAlmacicos) Ieofpeines sss. .c ce - TESS 104 19.5
1325117 Gun ellos; Almacisos; I. of Pines..6 400-524) -cn: TE 104 19
1325417 off CayorBonitotels Of Pinestr cists ease: II4 106 19.5
L325 517 a Cavyor Bonito wl: ofebines yaaa ae acer 113 I10 18.5
TL Oten oft PueblomNuwevosle of Pines 5 <a ers ee II4 108 18.5

16 Collection Charles T. Ramsden.
17 Collection E. A. and O. Bangs.
18 Collection Carnegie Museum.

244 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

After actually comparing a series of specimens in the same seasonal
plumage I must confess that I am not very favorably impressed with
the claim of the bird from the Isle of Pines to recognition by name.
There is certainly not the slightest difference in color, and the average
difference in size seems scarcely of sufficient importance to justify
formal separation. Mr. Ridgway speaks of the red color beneath
being appreciably lighter, but I am persuaded that he was dealing
with examples in more or less faded dress. This red area seems to
average smaller, however, than in the Cuban birds I have examined,
although this may be due to the make-up of the skins. Both Mr.
Bangs’ measurements (some of which I have quoted in the above table),
Mr. Ridgway’s, and my own, averaging substantially the same as they
do, seem scarcely to afford sufficient ground, in my judgment, for the
recognition of two subspecies, and I admit such only provisionally.

This brilliant species is common in the jungles, or dense tropical
forests found in the river valleys and on the mountain slopes. For a
perch it chooses an exposed situation, whence it sallies forth after
passing insects, returning to the same branch, in the manner of a
flycatcher. Small wild fruits are also eaten at times. As a rule it
occurs in pairs, or occasionally three or four may be seen together.

”

‘Tt is a stupid sluggish bird and very tame,”’ scarcely deigning to
move out of the way when approached. It has a loud call, repeated
at intervals, which has given rise to its native name of “ Tocororo.”’
The nest is doubtless built in hollow trees, as is the case with other
species of this group; at any rate, Mr. Read mentions having flushed a
bird of this species from an old woodpecker’s hole in a bottle-palm, on

June 25, 1910.

Nephecetes niger niger Gmelin. BLACK SWIFT.

(2?) ““Chimney Swift’’ (error) Read, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58, 102 (I. of Pines).
(?) Cypseloides niger? READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).

—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, I909, 125, and XXVIII, I911I, 12, and XXX, I913,

131 (I. of Pines). i

Although this species has long been known from Cuba, where, however, it appears
to be rare and local, the above records for the Isle of Pines are admittedly doubtful,
resting as they do on imperfect identifications of individuals noted by Mr. Read
on at least two occasions. The actual capture of specimens is the only sufficient
ground for the admission of such a species as this to the Isle of Pines list.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 245

93. Streptoprocne zonaris pallidifrons (Hartert). ANTILLEAN COL-
LARED SWIFT.

Hemiprocna [sic] zonaris pallidifrons? BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
203 (Nueva Gerona, fide Palmer & Riley).

Streptoprocne zonaris pallidifrons READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452
(I. of Pines).—REApD, OGlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 12, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of
Pines).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, V, torr, 701 (Nueva Gerona,
ex Bangs & Zappey).

Messrs. Palmer and Riley say that “a large swift with some white
beneath was seen around the [Casas or Caballos] mountains on several
occasions.’’ This description will not fit any known species of this
family from the West Indies other than the present, which it is fair to
presume was the one in question. Mr. Link did not meet with this or
any other swift, but Mr. Read claims to have observed it on at least
one occasion (January 31, 1909). Its range is known to include
Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, and thus inferentially the Isle of Pines,
but specimens from the latter island are naturally very desirable in
order to support the present not entirely satisfactory records.

94. Tachornis phoenicobia yradii (Lembeye). CuBAN PALM SwIFT.

Tachornis phenicobia (not of Gosse) READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452
(I. of Pines).—Read, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 124, and XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I.
of Pines).

**Palm Swift’? READ, Odlogist, X XVII, r9t0, 5 (Nuevas River); XXVIII, torr,

113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

Mr. Read appears to be the only observer to have noted this species,
which he records as ‘‘common in summer,” being in evidence just
before and just after a rain. In reply to a request for further infor-
mation he writes as follows: “ I have seen it closely on many occasions
and have watched it for a considerable time in clearings along the
Nuevas River. I see three or four pairs of these birds almost daily
in the Santa Barbara nursery, where they are nesting in the stub of a
royal palm. This bird is readily recognized and is very tame, not
paying the least attention to an intruder, and although it is always seen
on the wing it cannot be mistaken for any other swift because of its
small size and very noticeable white throat and rump.”’ Such a cir-
cumstantial account as this leaves little room for doubt as to identi-
fication, but specimens are still desiderata. Although Mr. Link was
constantly on the lookout for swifts during his stay in the island, he
did not see a single one. There are numerous Cuban records for the
present species.

246 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

95. Calypte helene (Lembeye). HELENA HUMMINGBIRD.

(?) ‘“‘Black-throated Hummer?’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452
(I. of Pines)—REaD, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75, and XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of
Pines), 113 (West McKinley).

Ten specimens: Caleta Grande and Los Indios.

Mr. Read’s records above quoted, so he writes me, presumably
refer to this diminutive species, which has not heretofore been recorded
from the Isle of Pines. Mr. Link found it tolerably common in April
and May at Caleta Grande and Los Indios, feeding among the red
blossoms of the Jatropha glaucovirens. Between this species and the
Ricord Emerald a great antipathy exists, the former being driven off
from its feeding-grounds by the other whenever they come together.
The series secured includes but one adult male, which I am unable to
distinguish in any way from specimens collected-in eastern Cuba;
the females from the two islands are also precisely alike. Most of
the published records for Cuba seem to pertain to the eastern part of
the island.

96. Riccordia ricordii ricordii (Gervais). R1icorRD EMERALD.

Orthorhynchus ricordit Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).

Riccordia ricordit BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 203 (Los Almacigos
and Santa Fé; habits)—ReEap, Odlogist, XX VI, I909, 190, and XXVIII, rg11,
12 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, 61 (1. of Pines; descr.; habits).

“Ricord’s Hummer’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, Ir (Nuevas River), 113
(West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

Riccordia ricordii ricordii R1ipDGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, V, 1911, 543
(Los Almacigos and Santa Fé, ex Bangs & Zappey; meas.).—READ, Bird-Lore,
XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

Seventeen specimens: Los Indios, Siguanea, and Nueva Gerona.

Although at one time (cf. ANNALS CARNEGIE Museum, VII, 1911,
424) I had doubts as to the distinctness of the Bahaman form of
Riccordia ricordii, comparison with the present fine series has served
to dispel them, so that the trinomial name is very properly employed
here.

This hummingbird is a very common species in the Isle of Pines,
occurring almost everywhere, escept in the swampy country. It is
particularly numerous on the wooded slopes of the Casas Mountains,
frequenting the flowers which grow so profusely there during the rainy
season, and is common also in the country back of Caleta Grande.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 247

‘Tt is a noisy little bird and its mouse-like, squeaking note is uttered
at frequent intervals, especially when anything attracts its attention.”
A nest found by Mr. Link at Los Indios early in May was built in a
grape-fruit tree, three or four feet from the ground, and at that time
contained two eggs, highly incubated. Another found on the slopes
of the Casas Mountains in June, and containing young, was also simi-
larly placed at a low elevation.

97. Tyrannus dominicensis dominicensis (Gmelin). GRAY KINGBIRD.

Tyrannus dominicensis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 108 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—READ, OGdlogist, XXVIII, torr, 7, 12 (1. of Pines; habits; nesting).—
READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan. 10, 1914 (I. of Pines, summer; descr.).

Tyrannus dominicensis dominicensis BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905,
207 (Santa Fé, El Hospital, Cayo Bonito, and Jucaro).—RipGway, Bull. U. S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 706 (I. of Pines; meas.).

“Gray Kingbird’’ Reap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII, toro, 42 (I. of Pines;
nesting), 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, to11, 7 (I. of Pines), 10
(Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara; migr.)

‘*Cuban Gray Kingbird’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 181 (I. of Pines, summer).
Four specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.

This species is well known to be migratory in the northern part of
its range, and even in Cuba Gundlach says that it is only a summer
resident from March to September. Mr. Read claims a similar seasonal
status for the species in the Isle of Pines, but Mr. Link actually secured
specimens on December 11, January 18, and February 5, thus showing
that its occurrence through these months is at least proven. It is
an inhabitant of the more open situations, the pine woodlands, pal-
metto-growths, and citrus-groves, where it comes in contact with the
Cuban Petchary, which it very closely resembles in habits. Mr.
Read mentions having found a nest with eggs on April 11, 1909, placed
in a low tree only six feet from the ground, and close to a building.
Messrs. Palmer and Riley found a nest near Nueva Gerona on July 8,
1900, containing two eggs on the point of hatching.

98. Tyrannus cubensis Richmond. GIANT KINGBIRD.

Tyrannus magnirostris (not of Swainson) Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 108
(1. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 80 (I. of Pines).
Tyrannus cubensis BANGS & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 207 (Santa Fé,
La Vega, Los Almacigos, and Mal Pais).—R1pGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
No. 50, IV, 1907, 711 (I. of Pines; meas.).— READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 124,

248 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

and XXVIII, to11, 12 (I. of Pines), 8 (Nuevas River; habits).—READ, Bird-

Lore, XIII, 1ro11, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa

Barbara).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Jan. 10, 1914 (I. of Pines, summer, not

common).

“Giant Kingbird’’ REAap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, OGlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 7 (I. of Pines), 10 (Nuevas River); XXX,
1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Two specimens: Los Indios.

All observers agree as to the comparative scarcity of this large
flycatcher in the Isle of Pines. Indeed, Mr. Link met with it on but
one occasion, securing a pair at Los Indios early in May. These
are both in worn breeding dress, and the male is apparently not fully
mature, lacking attenuated tips to the outer primaries. Mr. Zappey
secured five specimens in the eastern part of the island—all shot in
the vicinity of water. Mr. Read says that it is “ fairly common along
the Nuevas River, where it may often be seen catching insects over
the water and occasionally minnows which are swimming near the
surface, returning to an overhanging branch to swallow its prey after
the fashion of a Kingfishei.’’ The stomachs examined by Messrs.
Zappey and Link, however, contained nothing but insects and a few
berries. Despite Mr. Read’s statement that this species is exclusively
a summer resident, there can be no question as to its occurrence in the
Isle of Pines throughout the year as in Cuba, since there are no records
of its being found to the southward.

ag. Tolmarchus caudifasciatus (D’Orbigny). CUBAN PETCHARY.

Tyrannus caudifasciatus Porky, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, -
fide Gundlach).

Pitangus caudifasciatus GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 83 (I. of Pines).—BaANncs &
ZAPpPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 206 (Santa Fé, El Hospital, Jucaro, and
Cayo Bonito).

Tolmarchus caudifasciatus RripGwAy, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 679
(Nueva Gerona; Santa Fé, El Hospital, Jucaro, and Cayo Bonito, ex Bangs and
Zappey; meas.).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 7 (1. of Pines; habits); XXX,
1913, 122 (McKinley; habits)—REApD, I. of Pines News, V, Oct. 25, 1013
(descr.; habits).

(2) ‘‘Kingbird’’ Reap, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, 102, and XXVIII, ro11, 12 (I. of Pines).

‘Cuban Kingbird’? Reap, Odlogist, XXVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River), 84 (Mc-
Kinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII, 1911, 3 (McKinley and Santa Barbara
Mountain, etc.), 5 (McKinley; nesting), 6, 10 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafada
Mountains, etc.), 113 (West McKinley), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 123
(Nuevas River), 125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 249

Thirteen specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, Siguanea, and Santa
Rosalia Lagoon.

This species is subject to much variation from wear and fading,
which render the upper parts darker and duller, remove the pale
greenish yellow edgings of the remiges, and turn the same color on
the under tail-coverts into white. In fresh plumage the back is glossed
with olivaceous green.

A very common bird throughout the drier parts of the island, fre-
quenting the more open situations, where it is usually found in pairs
or family groups. In its notes and general habits it closely resembles
the Kingbird of the north, and like that species will chase any large
bird which happens to invade its territory, even the Turkey Buzzard
being an object of its antipathy. It is said to be very fond of the
‘“‘ bibijagua ’’ ant, on occasion alighting on the ground to devour the
winged females, as they emerge in swarming time. According to
Mr. Read it begins to nest about the middle of April, building a frail
structure of twigs and rootlets in a low tree. Two nests found by Mr.
Link near Nueva Gerona had eggs in May.

100. Myiarchus sagre sagre (Gundlach). LA SAGRA FLYCATCHER.
Myiarchus sagre BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 207 (Santa Fé,
Cayo Bonito, and Jucaro).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rorr, 8, 12 (I. of Pines;
habits)—RkEaAD, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and

XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Myiarchus sagre sagre RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 636
(I. of Pines; meas.).

(?) ‘‘Phoebe?’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, ror1, 13 (I. of Pines),
113 (West McKinley).

“Cuban Crested Flycatcher’? READ, Odlogist, X XVI, I909, 224 (I. of Pines),
XXVIII, 1911, 6, 11 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 114 (West
McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

Nine specimens: Los Indios, Majagua River, Cayo Frances, and
Nueva Gerona.

These birds agree well with specimens from eastern Cuba. Both
series differ from the Bahaman form (lucaysiensis) not only in the
respects pointed out by Mr. Ridgway in his diagnosis, but also in
having less rufous on the rectrices, the outer one (in all but two speci-
mens) having practically no rufous apparent, except at the base.

Mr. Zappey did not meet with this flycatcher, except in the pine-
woods, where it was common in April, May, and June, but according

250 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

to Mr. Link’s experience it is by no means confined to such situations,
being apt to occur in almost any kind of woods, where it is not swampy.
Near the mouth of the Majagua River, as well as on Cayo Frances, it
was even found in the mangroves, while at Los Indios it frequented
the same dense thicket where the Cuban Wood Pewee was so much in
evidence. Until now no nests appear to have been discovered in the
Isle of Pines.

101. Blacicus caribeus (D’Orbigny). CuBAN Woop PEWEE.

Muscipeta caribea PorEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Blacicus caribeus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 109 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —-GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 87 (I. of Pines) —BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 207 (San Juan and Santa Fé).—RipcGway, Bull. U.S.
Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 533 (San Juan and Santa Fé, ex Bangs and Zappey;
meas.; crit.)—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 9, 12 (I. of Pines; habits).—
ReaD, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914,
50 (Santa Barbara).

‘‘Cuban Wood Pewee”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, OGdlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River).

““Cuban Pewee’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, 1910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona);
XXVIII, 1911, 3 (McKinley), 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc), 7 (Cafiada
Mountains, etc.), 11 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123
(Nuevas River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Twelve specimens: Los Indios.

The specimens measured agree well with those from this island
handled by Mr. Ridgway in being slightly smaller than Cuban
examples. They all came from Los Indios, where the species was
found to be common in a dense thicket at the edge of a pasture. Some
were also seen near Nueva Gerona, while Mr. Zappey’s and Mr.
Read’s records pertain to other sections of the island, so that the
species appears to be quite generally distributed, except in the swampy
country. In its general habits it resembles the common Wood Pewee,
usually perching rather low down, however, and being very tame and
unsuspicious. There appear to be no actual records of its nesting in
the Isle of Pines, but according to Gundlach it builds a nest on a
horizontal branch, much after the style of the common Wood Pewee.

Empidonax flaviventris (Baird). YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.

(2?) “ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher” READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, I900, 452
(I. of Pines, Apr. 28).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102, and XXVIII, ro11,
I2, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

This species is generally believed to migrate entirely through Mexico, avoiding
the West Indies. The above records published by Mr. Read are therefore open
to question.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 251

102. Mimus polyglottos polyglottos (Linneus). MOCKINGBIRD.

One specimen: Nueva Gerona.

A single specimen, unquestionably referable to the continental
form, was shot by Mr. Link at Nueva Gerona on December 30. This
is a female, comparing favorably in size, grayish coloration, and
color-pattern of rectrices with birds of that sex from Florida, and it
doubtless is a winter migrant from that State. In this specimen even
the outer webs of the outer rectrices are somewhat blackish, and the
flanks show obsolete streaks.

103. Mimus polyglottos orpheus (Linneus). JAMAICAN MOCKING-

BIRD. e
Mimus polyglottos orpheus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 121 (I. of Pines, in

geog. distr.).—R1pGWay, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 231 (I. of

Pines, in geog. distr.).

Mimus orpheus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 207 (I. of Pines, ex

Cory) ssouthicoast: ):

One specimen: Nueva Gerona.

Mr. Cory records this species from the Isle of Pines without comment,
and this record, doubtless given on Gundlach’s authority, has been
quoted by Mr. Ridgway and Messrs. Bangs and Zappey. The
latter authors add that ‘‘ the mockingbird is said by the natives to
inhabit the south coast in small numbers.’’ Whether or not this state-
ment is true, nothing is more certain than that the bird is rare on the
island, so that Mr. Link’s record, pertaining to an individual shot in
a palmetto growth near Nueva Gerona on March 10, is valuable as:
the first circumstantial record. The individual taken was a male,
perfectly typical of this form. More recently Mr. Read writes that
he has seen four individuals, two together at La Ceiba at the foot of
the mountains, and the other two singly in Santa Barbara proper.
One of the latter was secured, and through the courtesy of the U. S.
National Museum, to which the specimen was sent, is now before me
for examination. It was shot April 8, 1915, is marked as a male,
‘“shot while singing,’’ and measures as follows: wing, 100; tail, Ior.
In size it thus agrees best with orpheus, but in color-characters it is
quite indistinguishable from true polyglottos, so that I am at a loss as
to which form it should really be referred.

252 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

104. Dumetella carolinensis (Linnzus). CATBIRD.

Turdus carolinensis PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Galeoscoptes carolinensis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 121 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.)—GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 51 (I. of Pines).—BaAaNncs &
ZaApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 207 (I. of Pines; Poey’s, Cory’s, and Gund-
lach’s records).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 218 (I. of
Pines, in geog. distr.) READ, OGdlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 12 (1. of Pines).

“‘Catbird’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 19009, 452 (I. of Pines, December)
—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 19090, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 15, and XXVIII,
1911, 7 (1. of Pines; migr.), 118 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley),
130 (I. of Pines, winter).

Two specimens: Caleta Grande and Los Indios.

A common winter resident, arriving from the north, according to
Mr. Read, in October (October 16, 1909; October 27, 1910) or even
earlier (September 19, 1913), and remaining until May at least. Mr.
Link saw a few near Nueva Gerona the middle of May, while a
straggler was noted at Pasadita as late as May 25—a date when the
bird has eggs in Pennsylvania. Mr. Read writes that he saw flocks of
twenty-five or thirty birds on April 17, 1915, these being the first
migrating flocks noticed that season. During its winter sojourn in
the island it inhabits the same general kind of situations as in its
summer home—bushy thickets, where it keeps well concealed, although
its presence is usually revealed by its characteristic notes, uttered
when its haunts are invaded. Its spring song was not heard at any
time.

105. Myadestes elisabeth (Lembeye). CUBAN SOLITAIRE.

Myiadestes elisabeth GUNDLACH, Journ. fiir Orn., 1856, 2 (I. of Pines [error; cf.
GUNDLACH, Journ. fiir Orn., 1872, 429, and STEJNEGER, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.,
V, 1882, 27]).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 122 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr. [error])—GuNpLAcH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 89 (no valid record from I. of
Pines).

Myiadestes elisabeth retrusus BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 208
(Pasadita; orig. descr.; type now in Mus. Comp. Zoél.; habits).—ALLEN, Auk,
XXII, 1905, 329, in text (review).—EpiTors, Ibis, 1905, 631, in text (review;
crit.).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, IV, 1907, 173 (I. of Pines;
descr.; syn.).

Mr. Charles T. Ramsden has sent me a small but very interesting
series of Myadestes elisabeth from eastern Cuba, which I have been
able to compare directly with the type and only known specimen of
the alleged subspecies retrusus. Three of these Cuban specimens are

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 253

decidedly olivaceous brown above and shaded with grayish below.
Two of these are completing the postnuptial moult (August 29), and
the third is in comparatively fresh plumage (March 22). A fourth
specimen, however, although taken only a day later than the last,
is a precise counterpart in all respects of the type of retrusus. This
latter individual is somewhat worn (May 25), and I believe that its
pale coloration is due to fading rather than to any geographical vari-
ation. At all events, until its characters can be substantiated by ad-
ditional specimens in fresh plumage, I cannot see my way clear to
accord recognition to the form it 1s supposed to represent.

The Solitaire was reported from the Isle of Pines by Gundlach
many years ago, on what he discovered later was unreliable authority,
The capture of a single specimen by Mr. Zappey at Pasadita therefore
constitutes the first authentic record for the island. ‘‘ The Isle of
Pines Solitaire is very rare and occurs in the densest forests only,
where, on account of its retiring habits and dull coloration, it is very
hard to shoot. Its loud, ringing song can be heard a great distance.
and is almost startling in the still forests in which the bird lives. The
stomach of the only specimen taken contained a few berries and the
remains of insects.’’ A bird believed to have been of this species was
seen by Mr. Link at Hato, on the “‘ south coast,’’ on October 17, 1912,
but was unfortunately not secured. The natives here appear to be
acquainted with the bird, but say it is very rare.

106. Mimocichla rubripes rubripes (Temminck). RED-LEGGED
THRUSH.

Turdus rubripes PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Mimocichla rubripes Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 122 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 49 (I. of Pines).—REapD, Odlogist,
XXVIII, rort, 13 (I. of Pines); XXX, 1913, 122 (McKinley; habits).

Mimocichla rubripes rubripes BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 208
(Santa Fé, San Juan, El Hospital, and Cayo Bonito; habits; crit.)—Rrap,
Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 124 (I. of Pines; nesting)—READ, Bird-Lore, XIII,
I9g11, 44 (McKinley); XV, I913, 45, and XVI, I91t4, 50 (Santa Barbara).—
READ, I. of Pines News, V, Oct. 18, 1913 (descr.; habits).

“*Red-legged Thrush’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, OGdlogist, XXVI, I909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII, I910, 5 (Nuevas
River), 42 (I. of Pines; nesting), 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII,
to1t, 3 (McKinley), 5 (McKinley and Santa Barbara Mountain; nesting), 6, 11
(Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley), 146 (Bibijagua); XXX, 1913, 123
(Pine River), 125, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 164 (Santa Barbara
to Nueva Gerona), 168 (Los Indios).

254 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Twenty-two specimens: Nueva Gerona, Los Indios, and McKinley.

The series exhibits considerable variation in the depth and extent
of the abdominal tawny ochraceous area (not depending on sex,
however), while the amount of white streaking on the throat is
another variable character.

A very common species in the Isle of Pines, taking the place of the
Robin in the north, and closely resembling it in general habits. While
it is perhaps more partial to the woodland areas than the Robin, it
often comes familiarly about the houses and cultivated grounds, and
frequently builds its nest in such situations. Mr. Read writes of a
pair which built a nest on a rafter in an unfinished house, removing
it later to another situation, and Mr. Link saw the same thing happen
on one occasion. The nest, too, is like that of the Robin in general
appearance, except that it lacks the lining of mud, fibrous roots doing
duty instead, and the eggs are laid in April and May. Three or four
eggs appear to be the usual complement; they are pale greenish,
finely spotted with several shades of brownish. During the nesting-
season the males are accustomed to sing in the morning and evening,
their song again reminding one of that of the Robin, but being much
weaker. At other seasons the birds are nearly silent, merely giving
utterance to a sharp note of alarm when disturbed, nor do they come
about houses to the same extent. Berries and insects constitute their
food, and Mr. Read mentions having seen a lizard fed to the young on
one occasion.

Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii (Cabanis). OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.

(2?) “Olive-backed Thrush’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines, Jan. 14).—REeEaD, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXVIII, ror1, 7 (1. of
Pines; migr.), 113 (West McKinley).

(?) Hylocichla ustulata swainsonii READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rorr, 13 (I. of Pines).
Mr. Read claims to have observed this species on a few occasions, in October

and even in January (!), but as no specimens appear to have been preserved, and

the species is not known to migrate through the West Indies, and is merely acci-
dental in Cuba, it seems possible that his records are due to misidentifications,
which are very easy to make in this group.

107. Polioptila czerulea ca#rulea (Linneus). BLUE-GRAY GNAT-
CATCHER.

Culicivora cerulea Pozty, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Polioptila cerulea Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 120 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 54 (I. of Pines)—BAaNcs & ZAPPEY:
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 205 (I. of Pines, March; Poey’s record).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 255

Both Poey, Cory, and Gundlach record the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
from the Isle of Pines, and Mr. Zappey found it there in March, 1902,
but not on his later trip. Mr. Link did not chance to meet with it.
It is obviously a winter resident, as in Cuba, where according to
Gundlach it is abundant.

108. Corvus nasicus Temminck. CUBAN CROW.

Corvus jamaicensis? (not of Gmelin) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Corvus nasicus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 110 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 126 (I. of Pines). BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat.,
XXXIX, 1905, 209 (La Vega and Pasadita; habits).

‘‘Cuban Crow’”’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, fide G. A. Link).
Eleven specimens: Caleta Grande, Caleta Cocodrilos, Jacksonville,

and Pasadita.

A common species in the Cienaga at Pasadita, where it was found
by both Mr. Zappey and Mr. Link. The latter observer failed to
meet with it at the western end of the Cienaga, near Siguanea, although

“é

it was noted in comparative abundance on the “south coast.” A
nest was discovered at Jacksonville on April 21, containing one addled
egg and three newly hatched young. The egg resembles that of the
Common Crow, but the ground-color is much paler. The nest was
a mass of sticks, bark, etc., placed on a star-palm about twenty feet
from the ground. The Cuban Crow is less wary and difficult of
approach than the northern species, and has a great variety of notes

and calls, reminding one of the Raven in this respect.

109. Vireo gundlachii gundlachii Lembeye. GGUNDLACH VIREO.

Vireo gundlachi Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 116 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 45 (I. of Pines). —BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat.,
XXXIX, 1905, 209 (Cayo Bonito; crit.)—REApD, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45
(Santa Barbara).

“*Gundlach’s Vireo’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 11 (Nuevas River), 13 (I. of
Pines); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley), 125 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).
Six specimens: Caleta Grande and Nueva Gerona. ‘

A single example of this interesting species was secured by Mr. Link
at Caleta Grande on November 29. Later, in February and March,
it was encountered near Nueva Gerona also, and a few additional
specimens were obtained, the series being very uniform in coloration.
All of these were shot in bushy thickets, similar to those in which the
Black-whiskered Vireo was found. The species appears to be rather

256 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

uncommon, however, and has been recorded by Mr. Read on only a
few occasions. Mr. Zappey secured a pair at Cayo Bonito on May 3,
these being the only ones he saw on his second trip. These examples
proved on comparison with Cuban specimens to differ in certain
particulars, suggesting that subpecific separation might eventually
become necessary. I have been able to compare the present series
with a good series of Cuban birds, comprising specimens taken from
both the eastern and the western parts of the island. Considerably
to my surprise I find that the bird of western Cuba is readily separable
from that of the eastern part (Guantanamo and Santiago de Cuba),
the Isle of Pines specimens naturally agreeing with the western form,
averaging merely a trifle duller. Lembeye (Aves de la Isla de Cuba,
1850, 29, pl. 5, fig. 1) does not specify any particular type-locality for
his Vireo gundlachii, although he mentions that he first saw the
species near Cienfuegos, so that we are doubtless justified in accepting
this as the type-locality. No specimens from this point are avail-
able, but nine skins from Trinidad, some forty miles to the east-
ward, kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Frank M. Chapman,
while obviously intermediate in their characters, seem best referred
to the western form. The bird of eastern Cuba I therefore propose
to call

Vireo gundlachii orientalis subsp. nov.

Type, No. 44,219, Collection Carnegie Museum, adult male;
Arroyo Hondo, ‘‘ Los Cafios,’”’ Guantanamo, Cuba, October, 1913;
Charles T. Ramsden.

Subspecific characters.—Similar to Vireo gundlachii gundlachii of
western Cuba and the Isle of Pines, but general coloration duller;
under parts much duller yellow, with more buffy suffusion and dark
shading on the sides; lores and postocular spot paler yellow; and upper
parts decidedly grayish, less greenish.

Vireo gundlachii is thus shown to vary precisely as do certain other
closely related species, but in this case the variation is strictly cor-
related with locality, which is not true with V. carmioli, V. ochraceus,
or even V. crassirostris.

110. Vireo griseus griseus (Boddaert). \WHITE-EYED VIREO.
Vireo griseus griseus READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

Two specimens: Caleta Grande and Nueva Gerona.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 257

Gundlach says that the White-eyed Vireo is rare in Cuba, where it
occurs as a winter visitor. Under such circumstances Mr. Link’s
records, referring to single individuals killed at Caleta Grande on
November 27, and at Nueva Gerona on February 26, are of especial
interest, as going to show that the species has a similar seasonal status
in the Isle of Pines also. Mr. Read claims to have observed it at
Santa Barbara on December 13, 1912.

Lanivireo flavifrons (Viellot). YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.

(?) ‘‘Yellow-throated Vireo”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines, May 8).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 102, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of
Pines); XXVIII, torr, 113 (West McKinley).—ReEap, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

(?) Vireo flavifrons READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rort, 12 (1. of Pines).

The Yellow-throated Vireo is of merely casual appearance in the West Indies,
migrating as it does through Mexico and Central America, so that Mr. Read’s
records above quoted, all apparently referring to a single individual noted May 8,
1909, cannot be received with that degree of confidence necessary to assure the
species a place on the list.

111. Vireosylva calidris barbatula (Cabanis). BLACK-WHISKERED
VIREO.

Vireo calidris barbatulus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 115 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.) READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of Pines).

Vireosylvia barbatula GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 41 (I. of Pines).

Vireosylva calidris barbatula R1ipGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1904,
141 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —BaNcs & Zapprey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
209 (Jucaro, Cayo Bonito, and Santa Fé).

‘““Black-whiskered Vireo’? READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines).— READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, 42 (I. of
Pines; nesting), 84 (Los Tres Hermanos Mountains); XXVIII, ro1r, 7 (I. of
Pines), 11 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa
Barbara; migr.; habits), 131 (I. of Pines; migr.).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Ten specimens: Nueva Gerona.

These are precisely like Bahaman specimens. JV. c. barbatula
differs from V. c. calidris, in addition to the characters usually recog-
nized, in having the under tail-coverts paler yellow.

A summer resident, arriving about the middle of March, and
remaining until October, although according to Mr. Read a few
stragglers may stay through the dry season. It is a common inhabi-
tant of the low thickets and jungles, where its song, which is a sweet
warble not unlike that of the Red-eyed species, is a constant reminder

258 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

of its presence. Mr. Read records a nest found on April 24, 1909,
while Mr. Link reports that he found one containing two eggs the
second week in June, placed about fifteen feet from the ground, on
a horizontal branch of a hardwood tree. Mr. Link did not meet with
this species except in the neighborhood of Nueva Gerona, where it
was particularly numerous on the slopes and at the foot of the Casas
and Caballos Mountains, but Mr. Zappey and Mr. Read have re-
corded it from sundry other parts of the island.

Vireosylva olivacea (Linnzeus). RED-EYED VIREO.

(?) ““Red-eyed Vireo’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of Pines,
April 21).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, 1911, 7
(I. of Pines; migr.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines; migr.)..
—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (1. of Pines).

(?) Vireo olivaceus READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines).

This is another species admitted to Mr. Read’s list on what are probably in-
sufficient grounds, since it does not appear that specimens were taken or preserved.
Like the Yellow-throated Vireo, the Red-eyed species migrates through Mexico
and Central America, and its occurrence anywhere in the West Indies is merely
casual. Indeed, Gundlach says that in all his experience in Cuba he secured but
a single specimen.

112. Hirundo erythrogastra Boddaert. BARN SWALLOW.

“Barn Swallow’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (1. of Pines, April
II).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, ro11, 7,and XXX,
IQI3, 131 (1. of Pines; migr.).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 11, 1914 (I. of
Pines, migrant).

Hirundo erythrogastra READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, rori, 12 (1. of Pines).

Two specimens: Los Indios and Nueva Gerona.

A transient visitant only, apparently not common. Its seasonal
occurrence is doubtless the same here as in Cuba, where Gundlach
says it comes from the north in August, remaining but a short time,
however, and reappearing in its northward migration in April and
May. The first specimen secured by Mr. Link, however, was shot
at the rather late date of November 4, at Los Indios. It is an im-
mature male, with the wings and tail fresh and unworn, the white
edgings very prominent. A few new chestnut feathers have come in
on the forehead, but there are no other signs of moult in progress.
Another example was shot at Nueva Gerona on May 12, being one of
several seen. Mr. Read has recorded it as early in the spring as
March 18 (1912) and April 11 (1909), and as late as May 8 (1910).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 259

Riparia riparia (Linneus). BANK SWALLOW.
(?) ‘‘Bank Swallow’’ Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 11, 1914 (I. of Pines, March

4, 1914.)

The Bank Swallow is a rare transient in the West Indies, and the only record we
have of its occurrence in the Isle of Pines is the one by Mr. Read above quoted,
which, however, does not appear to be based on an actual capture. Mr. Link says
that a swallow which he took to be this species was nesting in holes in low banks
along the Casas River in May, but no specimens were taken, and the identification
is open to question. The locality is certainly beyond the known southern breeding
range of the Bank Swallow, while the Rough-winged Swallow is not even known
from the West Indies, so that the identity of these particular birds is problematical,
and specimens are very desirable.

113. Petrochelidon fulva fulva (Vieillot). CuBAN CLIFF SWALLOW.

Petrochelidon fulva fulua RipGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, III, 1904, 53
(I. of Pines). —Bancs & ZAppEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 209 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Palmer and Riley).

“Cuban Cliff Swallow’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 102, and XXVIII, rort, 7 (I. of Pines), 6 (Nuevas
River), 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of
Pines, summer; migr.).

Petrochelidon fulua AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION COMMITTEE, Check List
N. Am. Birds, ed. 3, 1910, 292 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, 1to11, 12 (I. of Pines).—ReEap, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 11, 1914
(Nueva Gerona; descr.; habits).

Four specimens: Bibijagua and Nueva Gerona.

The seasonal status of the present species appears to be the same
as that of the Cuban Martin, a summer resident only, of which the
winter habitat is still unknown. Mr. Read records its arrival in 1914
on March 4, and Gundlach says that in Cuba it comes at the end
of February or early in March. Messrs. Palmer and Riley found it
common in the lowlands in the vicinity of Nueva Gerona in July,
at which time the young had begun to collect in flocks on the telegraph
wires. Mr. Link found it common here also in May and June, and
was fortunate in discovering its nesting-grounds in the Casas and
Caballos Mountains. As early as April 6, in the latter locality, the
birds were observed going in and out of holes in the cliffs near the tops
of the mountains, where they evidently had eggs or young. These
nesting-places were quite inaccessible by ordinary means, but a little
later, in the Casas Mountains, some pairs were found with nests only
about twenty feet up the face of an exposed cliff. Mr. Read speaks
of having seen the birds gathering nesting-material in the shape of
little pellets of clay from the edges of water-holes in Nueva Gerona.

260 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

114. Progne cryptoleuca Baird. CUBAN MARTIN.

Progne cryptoleuca BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 209 (Manigua
fide Palmer and Riley).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 12 (I. of Pines).—
Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, Apr. 4, 1914 (I. of Pines, summer; habits).

“Cuban Martin”? Reap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
Reap, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, torr, 5 (McKinley;
nesting), 7 (I. of Pines; migr.), 11 (Nuevas River), 114 (West McKinley);
XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa Barbara; migr.), 128, pl. (Santa Barbara; fig. of nesting
site), 130 (I. of Pines, summer; migr.).

Two specimens: Los Indios.

Swallows believed to belong to this species were repeatedly observed
along the Casas River at Nueva Gerona, but no specimens were pro-
cured except at Los Indios, where a pair were shot on April 12. Mr.
Zappey noted it on several occasions, and Messrs. Palmer and Riley
found it in small colonies in the pines at Manigua. Mr. Read appears
to be the only observer to have met with it in any numbers. He states
that it is a summer resident only, appearing as early sometimes as
February 8 (1914), March 12 (1912), and March 28 (1910), and re-
maining until about the first of November. This agrees with what is
known concerning its seasonal status in Cuba, where Gundlach says
that it disappears towards the end of August and does not return until
February. What becomes of it in the intervening months remains an
unexplained mystery, since it is a species scarcely known outside of
its recognized breeding-range. Mr. Read has also had the good fortune
to find it breeding. The nest appears to be built in an old woodpeck-
er’s-hole in a bottle-palm or pine-tree, and the four or five white eggs
are laid in May.

115. Setophaga ruticilla (Linneus). REDSTART.

Muscicapa ruticilla Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Setophaga ruticilla Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 120 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).— BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 211 (I. of Pines, March;
Poey’s record).—REApD, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Bird-Lore, XIII, to1z, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

‘““ American Redstart’? READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—ReEap, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, 75 (I. of Pines; XXVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas
River), 15 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, ro11, 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain,
etc.), 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.; migr.), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913,
123 (McKinley), 130 (I. of Pines, winter).—REapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14,
1914 (I. of Pines).

Six specimens: Los Indios.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. 261

A bird shot December 5 presents a curious case of asymmetrical
development. Itisa malein first winter plumage, in which the remiges
and rectrices on one side are marked with pale orange, as in the adult,
while the corresponding markings on the other side are yellow, as is
normal at this stage.

The Redstart is very common as a winter resident throughout the
island. Although Gundlach says that in Cuba it is one of the first
species to arrive in the fall migration, it so happens that the earliest
records for that season in the Isle of Pines are all in October (October
16, 1909; October 11, 1910; October 8, 1912). In the spring of 1913
it was observed at Siguanea up to April 25. Its haunts and habits
in its winter home are very similar to those in summer, except that it
has no song. It seemed to be particularly fond of the mangrove-
growths along the Los Indios and Majagua Rivers, while in the vicinity
of Nueva Gerona it frequented the bushy thickets on the sides of the
Caballos Mountains.

116. Geothlypis trichas trichas (Linneus). MARYLAND YELLOW-
THROAT.

Sylvia trichas Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).

Geothlypis trichas Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 119 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 73 (I. of Pines)—BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 210 (I. of Pines, ex Poey; crit.).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, ro11, 12 (1. of Pines).

““Maryland Yellow-throat’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines, December).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVII,
T910, 5 (Nuevas River), 15 (I. of Pines; migr.).

“Fiorida Yellow-throat’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, toto, 84 (McKinley to Nueva
Gerona); XXVIII, ro1r, 7 (J. of Pines, October 1), 113 (West McKinley,
winter); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley), 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines,
winter).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Geothly pis trichas ignota (not of Chapman) READ, Bird-Lore, XIII, torr, 44 (Mc-
Kinley); XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Twelve specimens: Majagua River, Los Indios, Bibijagua, and
Nueva Gerona.

After careful comparison of the adult birds of this series I refer
them all without hesitation to true frichas, and not to ignota, to which
Messrs. Bangs and Zappey intimate the Isle of Pines birds may prove
to belong, since a series of Yellow-throats from western Cuba were
so identified by Mr. Ridgway. The color of the flanks is a little

262 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

browner than Bahaman specimens comparable as to season, but not
more so than in winter skins from Central America. Three males
and a female shot April 5 and 8 are just completing the prenuptial
moult, as shown by the fresh feathers on the throat.

A common winter resident, according to Mr. Link’s experience,
throughout the northern part of the island, but not observed in the
‘south coast.’’ It was recorded by Poey, but

‘

Cienaga or on the
curiously enough Mr. Zappey did not chance to meet with it. Mr.
Read’s earliest fall records are October 1, 1910, and October 3, 1909,
while Mr. Link’s last specimen was shot April 8. Here, as at the north,
it is an inhabitant of the low, wet thickets, where it contrives to keep
well concealed.

117. Teretistris fernandine (Lembeye). FERNANDINA WARBLER.

Helmitheros blandus (not of Lichtenstein) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Teretistris fernandine Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 119 (‘‘Pine Island,” in
geog. distr.)—RIDGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 649 (I. of
Pines, in geog. distr.) BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210 (Pasa-
dita and Cayo Bonito).—SHARPE, Hand-List Birds, V, 1909, 113 (I. of Pines,
in geog. distr.).— READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 190 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, ror1,
7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.), 12 (I. of Pines)—ReEApD, Bird-Lore, XIII, ro911, 44
(McKinley); XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).—READ, Odlogist, XXX, I913,
130 (1. of Pines).

“*Chillina’ Warbler’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain,
etc.), 11 (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley).

Eight specimens: Siguanea and Los Indios.

A species peculiar to western Cuba, whence it extends to the Isle
of Pines, having been recorded by Poey many years ago. Mr. Zappey
secured it at Pasadita and Cayo Bonito, while Mr. Link found it not
uncommon in the western end of the Cienaga, near Siguanea. It was
noted at Los Indios also, and at Hato on the “‘ south coast,’’ while
Mr. Read has observed it occasionally in the northwestern part of
the island. It is a “ ground” warbler, keeping. to the densest covert
in the thick, damp woods, where it is naturally difficult to observe and
still more difficult to shoot. Nothing is yet on record regarding its
nesting so far as the Isle of Pines is concerned.

[Seiurus motacilia (Vieillot). DLourstsaNA WATER-THRUSH.

(?) “Louisiana Water-Thrush’”’ REApD, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1900, 452
(I. of Pines, December 14).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1900, 58 (I. of Pines);
XXVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River), 15 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, 1911, 7 (I. of
Pines, September 30), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines,
January).—REApD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 263

(2?) Seiurus motacilla READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ,

Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara, December 25).

From an examination of the available evidence it would appear that this water-
thrush is much the rarer of the two in the West Indies, the general trend of its
migration, according to Prof. W. W. Cooke, being southwestward. Mr. Link did
not detect it in the Isle of Pines, and Mr. Read’s records above cited constitute
the sole basis for its supposed occurrence. In reply to an inquiry he writes that
his identifications were based on specimens taken from time to time, but un-
fortunately not preserved. As he is admittedly not quite clear in discriminating
between the two species, however, it is deemed wise to delay the admission of the
present species to the list until specimens can be examined. Mr. Read considers
it to be a winter resident, arriving the latter part of August (August 24, 1900;
August 21, 1911; August 29, 1913), and remaining through March or into April,
April 4, 1910, being the latest recorded date in the spring.]

118. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis Ridgway. GRINNELL WATER-
THRUSH.

Seiurus noveboracensis (not of Gmelin) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 |
(Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 119 (I. of
Pines, in geog. distr.)—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 72 (I. of Pines).—
Bancs & ZAppey, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210 (I. of Pines, March; Poey’s
record).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, t911, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore,
XV, I913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

““Water-Thrush’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines,
December 15).—READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, I910, 5
(Nuevas River), 14 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, ro11, 7 (1. of Pines, October),
113 (West McKinley, December); XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of
Pines, January).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Four specimens: Los Indios.

Although Prof. Cooke, in discussing the winter range of the Water-
Thrush (Bulletin Biological Survey, No. 18, 1904, 103) says that the
West Indian records “ unquestionably relate to the eastern bird,” I
would refer the four specimens from the Isle of Pines before me to
notabilis with but little hesitation. These were shot between Sep-
tember 30 and November 16 at I_os Indios, where the species was found
to be common, as well as at Siguanea, frequenting the bushy mangroves
along the water’s edge. At this latter locality it was recorded as late
as the first of May, while Mr. Read has noted its arrival in his district
in the fall movement as early as August 20 (1909). It is included in
the lists of both Poey, Cory, and Gundlach, and was noted also by
Mr. Zappey on his first trip to the island.

264 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

119. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linneus). OVEN-BIRD.

““Oven-bird’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines, February).
—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1900, 102 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, 15 (I. of Pines,
October 24); XXVIII, ro11, 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of
Pines, winter).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Seiurus aurocapillus READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, to11, 12 (I. of Pines).

One specimen, Nueva Gerona.

The Oven-bird is a winter resident in the Isle of Pines, but ap-
parently is not common. Mr. Link saw a few at the foot of the Ca-
ballos Mountains, securing a single specimen on February 27. Mr.
Read has noted it on various occasions at this season, and it is known
as a regular and common winter resident throughout the Greater
Antilles.

120. Dendroica palmarum palmarum (Gmelin). - PALM WARBLER.

Dendroica palmarum Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.)—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1893, 67 (I. of Pines)—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, ro11, 12 (I. of Pines).

Dendroica palmarum palmarum BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210
(I. of Pines, March; Cory’s record).—REApD, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa
Barbara).

«““Palm Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines, Jan-
uary).—READ, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas
River), 15 (1. of Pines; migr.), 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXVIII,
I9II, 7 (I. of Pines, October 2), 113 (West McKinley, winter); XXX, 1913, 123
(McKinley).—REapD, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (1. of Pines).

““Vellow Palm Warbler’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 224 (I. of Pines); XXVII,
I910, 15 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, ror1, 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913,
127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines, winter).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea (not of RipGWwAy) READ, Odlogist, XXVIII,
IgII, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Nine specimens: Los Indios, Nueva Gerona, and Hato.

This warbler is possibly the most abundant of all those which visit
the Isle of Pines during the winter months. It occurs in scattered
flocks, frequenting the more open situations, groves of bottle-palms
and margins of thickets, keeping on or near the ground. Mr. Read
has noted it as early as September 25, and Mr. Link’s specimens were
all shot between September 30 and April 17, dates which correspond
very well with the records of the migration of the species from nearby
regions, as given by Prof. Cooke. A young bird taken February 20
shows no sign of moult, although sundry specimens from other sections

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 265

are undergoing prenuptial moult at this season. Another example
shot April 17, however, is in moult, and has almost completed the
chestnut cap.

As Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea is merely a straggler in the
winter season south of Florida, and as it is practically impossible for
any one, even an expert, to distinguish it in the field from true pal-
marum with any degree of certainty, I refer all of Mr. Read’s records to
D. palmarum.

121. Dendroica discolor (Vieillot). PRAIRIE WARBLER.

Sylvia discolor PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Dendroica discoloy Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 70 (I. of Pines)—BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 2I0 (I. of Pines, ex Poey).— READ, Odlogist, XXVIII,
Igri, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

“Prairie Warbler’? READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines,
December).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII, 1910, I5
(I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, ror1, 7 (I. of Pines, November), 113 (West
McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, December).—READ, I. of Pines News,
VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Twenty-two specimens: Los Indios, Nueva Gerona, Bibijagua, and
Caleta Grande.

A common winter resident, of which the first specimen was taken on
September 26, and the last on April 19, these dates probably including
the usual average time of its stay. Mr. Read recorded it in 1915,
however, as late as April 28. Only a few of the series secured appear
to be adult, brightly colored birds, comparable with those from the
southern United States, Porto Rico, etc. The balance seem to be
immature; at any rate, they are dull and dark-colored, and many of
them show considerable gray on the sides of the head, while the super-
ciliaries also are dull-colored. Some of these birds, too, are so worn
as to suggest that they had but recently been breeding, but this is of
course exceedingly improbable. The favorite haunts of this species
in the Isle of Pines are in tracts of low scrub and brushy places,
where it contrives to keep well hidden, dodging about close to the
ground.

122. Dendroica striata (Forster). BLACK-POLL WARBLER.

“Black-poll Warbler’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131
(I. of Pines).—Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Three specimens: Caleta Cocodrilos and Los Indios.

266 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

These were all shot in low brush, on April 24 and May 7 respectively,
the latter a later date than is recorded by Gundlach for Cuba. The
first ones taken were in very poor condition, and one of these shows a
few yellowish feathers below, evidently left over from a previous
plumage. Mr. Read has seen birds in the fall migration which he
has identified as belonging to the present species.

123. Dendroica dominica dominica (Linneus). YELLOW-THROATED
WARBLER.

Sylvia pensilis PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Dendroica dominica Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 69 (I. of Pines).—REApD, OGlogist,
MEXVAILG Tort, 12) (1. of Pines):

Dendroica dominica dominica RipGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1902,
578 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) BANGS & ZappEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
2to (I. of Pines, March; Poey’s record).

“*Vellow-throated Warbler’’ REAp, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of
Pines, January).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58, and XXVIII, tort, 7 (I. of
Pines), 3 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.).—ReEap, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb.
14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

(?) ‘‘Sycamore Warbler’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131
(1. of Pines, October 20).

Twelve specimens; Los Indios.

A winter resident, fairly common, having been first recorded by
Poey many years ago, and later by Messrs. Zappey, Read, and Link.
The latter observer did not notice it, however, except in the vicinity
of Los Indios, where it was rather numerous from September 19 to
December 18. The series secured includes several birds of the year,
readily distinguishable by their paler colors and yellowish or brownish
wash below, especially on the flanks. Two of these immature birds
have rather small bills and practically white superciliaries, and might
readily be referred to D. d. albilora, while others are intermediate in
these respects. All immature specimens of typical D. dominica before
me have decidedly yellow superciliaries, so that the birds in question
look very suspicious, coming as they do from a locality not far remote
from the winter home of D. d. albilora.

No unquestioned migration dates for this warbler for the Isle of
Pines are on record thus far. It is known to leave its summer home
very early, however, usually in July, and to pass northward again in
March. While in the island it seems to prefer the palms, keeping
rather high up.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 267

[Dendroica fusca (Miiller). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.

(?) ‘‘Blackburnian Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (1. of
Pines, December 8).—REaApD, Odlogist, X XVI, I909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVIII,
IQII, 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, December 8).—
Reap, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

(2?) Dendroica blackburnie READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 12 (1. of Pines).

In view of the fact that the Blackburnian Warbler is unknown in the West
Indies proper, and has occurred but twice as an accidental visitor during migration
in the Bahamas, it is scarcely necessary to discuss the reasons for treating Mr.
Read’s record of a bird seen in December as doubtful.

Dendroica cerulea (Wilson). CERULEAN WARBLER.

(?) ‘‘Cerulean Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines,
February).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, ro1r, 113
(West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, February 11).—READ, I. of
Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

(?) Dendroica cerulea READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 12 (I. of Pines).

This is another species of warbler which habitually avoids the West Indian
islands in migration, the few records we have from there falling within the category
of accidental occurrences. Mr. Read says that he secured a specimen on February
II, 1909, but as it is not now extant it seems better to leave the record for the
present in the doubtful column.]

124. Dendroica virens (Gmelin). BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.

Sylvia virens PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gund-
lach).

Dendroica virens GUNDLACH, Contr. Orn. Cubana, 1876, 64 (I. of Pines).—Cory,
Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —GUNDLACH, Orn.
Cubana, 1895, 62 (I. of Pines)—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II,
1902, 562 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.)—CooKE, Bull. Biol. Survey, No. 18,
1904, 87 (I. of Pines, ex Cory).—BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
2ro (I. of Pines, ex Poey and Gundlach).—REApD, Odlogist, XXVIII, torr, 12
(I. of Pines).

“*Black-throated Green Warbler’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1900, 224 (I. of Pines);
XXVII, t910, 15 (I. of Pines, October); XXVIII, I911, 114 (West McKinley,
October); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, October).— READ, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 14, 1914, (I. of Pines).

Although there are only a few scattering records for this warbler
in the West Indies, its place on the list of Isle of Pines birds is appar-
ently secure. Poey refers to it as having been observed by Gundlach
near Nueva Gerona, and Gundlach himself says that his first specimen
of the species was taken in the island in January, 1855 (lege 1854).
This record, which has been quoted by other authors, was apparently
the only basis for attributing the present species to the island until
recently, when Mr. Read has reported its occurrence at West McKinley

268 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

on October 21, 26, and 28, 1909, a specimen having been shot on the
last date. His note-book also contains a record of several seen on
November 18, 1912.

125. Dendroica coronata (Linneus). MyRTLE WARBLER.

““Myrtle Warbler’ REApD, Odlogist, XX VI, 19090, 224 (I. of Pines); XXVII, ro10,
15 (I. of Pines; migr.); XXVIII, r911, 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131
(1. of Pines; migr.).

Dendroica coronata READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of Pines).

While the above records by Mr. Read may perhaps be open to the
same criticism as certain others of his published observations, there
can be no question as to the probability of the occurrence of this
warbler in the Isle of Pines as a winter resident, since it is well known
to be common at that season in the Bahamas and all of the Greater
Antilles. Mr. Link, however, did not meet with it during his stay.

126. Dendroica cerulescens czrulescens (Gmelin). BLACK-
THROATED BLUE WARBLER.

Sylvia caerulescens PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Dendroica cerulescens CORY, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GunpDLAcH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 63 (I. of Pines).—BAaNncs & ZaPPEy,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210 (I. of Pines, March; Poey’s and Cory’s records).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 12 (I. of Pines).

Dendroica caerulescens cerulescens RIDGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II,
1902, 541 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).

‘“‘Black-throated Blue Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452
(1. of Pines, January).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXVII, 1o10,
15 (I. of Pines, winter); XXVIII, ro11, 7 (I. of Pines; migr.), 113 (West Mc-
Kinley); XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, winter).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Four specimens: Caleta Grande, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.

Common as a winter resident, frequenting the thicker covert, and
usually keeping rather low down. It was found to be particularly
numerous on the wooded slopes of the Caballos Mountains, where it
was observed as late as the third week in May. No dates for its arrival
in the fall migration are available, nor do any such seem to be on record
for any of the West Indies thus far. Mr. Link’s first specimen was
shot November 30. Mr. Read says that while this warbler was very
common in his section in December, 1908, none were seen during the

winter of 1909-10.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 269

Dendroica tigrina (Gmelin). CApE May WARBLER.
(?) ““Cape May Warbler’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines, March 25,
TOM).
This is one of the characteristic, if less common, winter-resident warblers through-
out the West Indies, and while its occurrence as such in the Isle of Pines is entirely
probable, Mr. Read’s identification is unfortunately not susceptible of verification.

' Dendroica magnolia (Wilson). MAGNOLIA WARBLER.

(2) ‘Magnolia Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of Pines,
December).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, ror1, 113
(West McKinley).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Dendroica maculosa READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ror, 12 (I. of Pines).

In discussing the winter range of the present species Prof. Cooke (Bulletin
Biological Survey, No. 18, 1904, 66) says that ‘‘there is no positive record of the
occurrence in either’’ the Bahamas or Cuba. It is thus probable that Mr. Read,
who claims to have observed “‘a few”’

on December 12, 1908, was mistaken in his
identification.

127. Dendroica petechia gundlachi Baird. CUBAN YELLOW WARBLER.

Sylvia petechia (not of Linneus) PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva

Gerona, fide Gundlach). b
Dendroica petechia gundlachi Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 118 (I. of Pines,

in geog. distr.).—READ, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).—READ, I.

of Pines News, VI, Apr. 25, 1914 (Pine River).

Chrysocantor petechia gundlachi BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210

(I. of Pines, ex Poey and Cory).

“Mangrove Warbler’”’ REApD, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los

Indios).—REap, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (1. of Pines).

Eight specimens: Los Indios, Bird Island, Majagua River, and
Siguanea.

These prove upon comparison to be fairly distinct from specimens.
from the Bahama Islands (D. p. flaviceps) and Porto Rico (D. p.
cruciana), being much darker and more greenish than either. Several
younger females, with white and gray feathers intermixed, are included.

This is a bird of the mangroves, to which it is apparently exclusively
confined. It is accordingly most numerous along the coast and about
the islands of Siguanea Bay, where the mangroves are so constant and
pronounced a feature. Mr. Read has observed it along the Pine River
also, but it is apparently a rare bird in the northern part of the island,
judging from the dearth of records, and, indeed, it cannot be called a
common bird at any locality as yet visited. Two nests were found,
both in mangroves within a few feet of the water, during the third
week in April, but as yet without eggs.

270 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

128. Compsothlypis americana usneez Brewster. NORTHERN PARULA
WARBLER,

Sylvia americana (not Parus americanus Linnzeus) Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba,
1854, 426 (I. of Pines, fide Gundlach).

Compsothlypis americana Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 117 (I. of Pines, in
geog. distr.).—BANcs & ZApPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 210 (I. of Pines,
March; Poey’s record).—READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, I911, 12 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

Parula americana GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 57 (I. of Pines).

“‘Parula Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines,
January).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII, I9I0, 5
(Nuevas River), 15, and XXVIII, ror, 7 (1. of Pines; migr.), 113 (West Mc-
Kinley, winter); XXX, I913, 130, 131 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News,
VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

Five specimens: Los Indios.

This dainty warbler was noted several times by Mr. Link at Los
Indios from September 25 to November 20, but was not encountered
elsewhere. From other available sources we learn, however, that it is
a regular winter resident in the island, as elsewhere in the West
Indies. It has been so recorded by Mr. Read, and was noted in
March, 1902, by Mr. Zappey, but how much later in the season it
remains is an undetermined question. The specimens brought back
appear referable to the present form, but the colors both above and
below are overlaid with paler feather-tips.

Vermivora bachmani (Audubon). BACHMAN WARBLER.

(2?) “Bachman Warbler’? READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. ot
Pines, February 6).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXX, 1913, 131
(1. of Pines); XXVIII, torr, 113 (West McKinley).—REap, I. of Pines News,
VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (1. of Pines).

(2?) Helminthophila bachmanii READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of Pines).
This rare warbler is known to winter in Cuba, and may extend its migration to

the Isle of Pines as well. Mr. Read says that he took a specimen on February 6,

1909, but as the example in question is unfortunately not now in existence, and a

mistake might very readily be made in a case like this, it would seem best to keep

the species in the hypothetical list for the present.

Vermivora peregrina (Wilson). TENNESSEE WARBLER.

(2) ‘‘ Tennessee Warbler’’ REApD, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 224 (I. of Pines); X XVII,
I910, 15, and XXVIII, ro11, 7 (I. of Pines; migr.), 114 (West McKinley);
XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines; migr.).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914
(I. of Pines).

(?) Helminthophila peregrina READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, roti, 13 (I. of Pines).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 271

This is another species the occurrence of which in the Isle of Pines is problem-
atical, since it is merely casual or accidental as a migrant in the West Indies. Mr.
Read writes that he secured a specimen, but as it is not now extant to authenticate
his record, it is, I think, inadmissible under the circumstances.

Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert). PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.

(?) “Prothonotary Warbler’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1900, 452 (I. of
Pines, January 25).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I.
of Pines); XXVIII, r911, 113 (West McKinley).—REap, I. of Pines News, VI,
Feb.:14, 1914 (I. of Pines).

(?) Protonotaria citrea READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, ror, 12 (I. of Pines).

This species is entered on Mr. Read’s list on the strength of a single example
(which he writes me was secured, but not preserved) recorded under date of January
25, 1909. There must be some mistake here, since this warbler is well known to
avoid the West Indies during migration, and in any case the date of the supposed
occurrence would argue against the correctness of the identification, since the
species is not known to winter north of Nicaragua.

Helmitheros vermivorus (Gmelin). WorRM-EATING WARBLER.

(2) ‘““Worm-eating Warbler’? Reap, Odlogist, XXVIII, ro11, 13, and XXX, 1913,
131 (I. of Pines).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Feb. 14, 1914 (I. of Pines).
The Worm-eating Warbler is said to be a regular winter resident in Cuba, so

that there is no intrinsic reason why it should not occur in the Isle of Pines also.

The above records apparently all refer to an individual which Mr. Read reports

that he shot on January 9, 1910, the specimen being subsequently lost.

129. Mniotilta varia (Linneus). BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.

Mniotilta varia Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 117 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 57 (I. of Pines). BANGS & ZApPPEY, Am. Nat.,
XXXIX, 1905, 209 (I. of Pines, March; Poey’s record).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVIII, tort, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).

“Black and White Warbler’’ Reap, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines, December).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); XXVII,
TOTO, 165) il. Of Pines? misr.); XOVilll,, tom, 7 (lof Pines, October), ©r3
(West McKinley); XXX, I913, 127 (Santa Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines, winter).
Two specimens: Los Indios and Nueva Gerona.

This warbler occurs as a regular winter resident, is generally dis-
tributed, but apparently not very common. The earliest record for
its arrival in the fall migration is August 23 (1909), according to Mr.
Read, but doubtless the bulk arrive later, probably in October. Mr.
Link’s latest spring date for this species was May 5. During its stay
it is apt to occur almost anywhere in the woodland, and was found in

the mangroves on at least one occasion.

2h ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

130. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linnzus). BOBOLINK.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus CorRY, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 110 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 117 (I. of Pines)—BANGS & ZAPPEY,
Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 213 (I. of Pines, ex Cory and Gundlach).

“Boholink”’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 7, 13, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines;
migr.).

An abundant migrant throughout the West Indies, although actually
recorded from the Isle of Pines on but a few occasions. Gundlach
casually refers to its occurrence there, and it is included in Mr. Cory’s
list as found in the island, doubtless on the authority of Gundlach.
Mr. Read says that he observed a flock of twenty birds on May 9,
1910, which were gone by the next day, and a few also in the fall
migration, on September 24 of the same year.

131. Sturnella magna hippocrepis (Wagler). CUBAN MEADOWLARK.

Sturnella hippocrepis Pory, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).—Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 110 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 121 (I. of Pines).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 368 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.)—BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am.
Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 212 (Santa Fé, Jucaro, and Cayo Bonito; crit.).—READ,
Odlogist, XXVI, I909, 102 (syn.); XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines).—READ,
Bird-Lore, XIII, ro11, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa
Barbara).

‘‘Meadowlark’’ Reap, Odlogist, XX VI, 1909, 58 (I. of Pines); X XVII, 1910, 84
(McKinley to Nueva Gerona); XXX, 1913, 122 (McKinley; habits).

‘““Cuban Meadowlark’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, Odlogist, XXVII, r910, 5 (Nuevas River), 42 (I. of Pines; nesting);
XXVIII, rorr1, 3 (McKinley), 6, 11 (Nuevas River), 7 (Cafiada Mountains, etc.),
113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley and Nuevas River), 125,
127 (Santa Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines), 168 (Los Indios).

Seventeen specimens: Bibijagua and Los Indios.

Mr. Chapman (Bulletin American Museum of Natural History, IV,
1892, 305) contends that hippocrepis is more closely allied to neglecta
than to any other form of the genus, and Mr. Ridgway has so far
indorsed this view as to accord the former specific rank. I confess
that after a study of this fine series in connection with ample and
comparable material from other sections I fail to find the slightest
justification for such an arrangement. Asa matter of fact, hippocrepis
is so close to its nearest geographical representative, argutula of south-
ern Florida (as later admitted by Mr. Chapman himself—cf. Bulletin
American Museum of Natural History, XIII, 1900, 300) that it is
often difficult properly to assign a given specimen by virtue of its

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 273

characters alone. The yellow of the throat in hippocrepis does not
invade the malar region to any more appreciable extent than is shown
by Florida birds, although it is apparently on this character that Mr.
Ridgway has mainly relied to place it near neglecta. Specimens in
full plumage are quite as dark as Florida birds, but differ in averaging
smaller, with the under parts more conspicuously streaked. The
present form should stand, therefore, as an insular race of S.. magna.

A characteristic bird of the open country in the Isle of Pines, fre-
quenting the pastures, fields, and edges of the pine-woods, wherever
there is a growth of low grasses or herbage, and the ground is dry.
It is generally distributed in such situations over the entire northern
part of the island, but is absent from the Cienaga and the country to
the southward, where the conditions are unsuitable. During the
breeding-season, or from March to June inclusive, it is seen in pairs,
after which the young and old associate in family groups. Young
in juvenal dress were taken at Bibijagua on July 5 and to. Its notes
are decidedly weaker than those of the northern Meadowlark, and it
is a much tamer bird.

132. Agelaius assimilis Lembeye. CUBAN RED-WING.

Agelaius assimilis Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 127 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.).—GuNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 120 (I. of Pines).—R1ipGway, Bull.
U.S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 342 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.)—Bancs &
ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, I905, 212 (Cienaga; habits; plum.; crit.).—
SHARPE, Hand-List Birds, V, 1909, 493 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—READ,
Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

Agelaius subniger BANGS, Proc. New England Zoél. Club, IV, t913, 92 (Cienaga;
orig. descr.; type in coll. Mus. Comp. Zodél.; meas.; crit.)—STONE, Auk,
XXX, 1913, 453, in text (review).

““Cuban [Red]-wing’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (Santa Barbara).
Fourteen specimens: Siguanea and Pasadita.

In addition to the present series of this rare species, I have been able
to examine in this connection the specimens from Cuba and the Isle
of Pines handled by Mr. Bangs, and upon the strength of which he
separated the bird from the latter island under the name Agelaius
subniger. Upon the status of this alleged form this new material
throws considerable light. Taking up the males first, it appears
that they naturally fall into two series, unquestionably representing
different ages. The fully adult males are deep glossy black above and
below, with the lesser wing-coverts crimson, and the greater wing-
coverts buffy, as in A. pheniceus. In first nuptial dress, however,

274 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

the general coloration is much duller and browner, and the red area
on the wing-coverts is also duller and much mixed with black, which
in some cases spreads over all of these feathers except the innermost.
All but one of the male specimens from the Isle of Pines in the Bangs
Collection, as it turns out, are clearly in this immature stage, and the
exception (No. 13,366) is probably immature also, having some black
on the wing-coverts, and being considerably worn, like the others.
On the other hand, the Cuban males are all fully adult birds, in nowise
different, so far as color is concerned, from adults from the Isle of
Pines, with which they have been directly and carefully compared.
The culmen is slightly flatter, it is true, in the Cuban specimens, but
I believe that even this difference would disappear in a large series;
at any rate, it is certainly too trifling a difference upon which to base
the recognition of even a subspecies.

The type of A. subniger is a female, and is obviously browner than
Cuban females, but I am by no means sure that this is not the result
of wear and fading, since I cannot discern any such striking difference
between the latter and the series of Isle of Pines females collected by
Mr. Link. This being the case, there would seem to be but one course
open: to treat A. subniger as a pure synonym of A. assimilis, since it
is clear that Mr. Bangs was misled by the circumstance of having
only immature examples of the bird for comparison.

This species has a very restricted range, being known only from the
Zapata Swamp in Cuba and the Cienaga in the Isle of Pines. Mr.
Zappey’s specimens were all shot in the eastern end of the Cienaga,
probably not far from Pasadita, in April, 1904. At this season all
the birds of this species from that vicinity were gathered into one
flock, which kept to some large trees at the edge of the swamp. From
the fact that the testes of the males were not enlarged, nor any very
young birds seen, he inferred that the breeding-season was not near
at hand nor recently over. As above noted, the examples he secured
were all (with one possible exception) immature, in first nuptial
plumage, and their development may not have been so rapid. At any
rate, the birds which Mr. Link found at Pasadita a month later in the
season, or during the latter part of May, were apparently all breeding
at the time, being always found in pairs. One nest was discovered,
built in the high grass at the edge of the swamp, about a foot above
the water. It was constructed of grasses and fastened to the surround-
ing stems after the fashion of the Red-winged Blackbird of the north;

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINEs. iD

the eggs had not yet been laid. The species could not be called com-
mon, and the pairs were scattered. It was noted also in the Cienaga
at Siguanea in small numbers in October and April, and one specimen
was secured. Mr. Read claims to have observed it in the Santa Bar-
bara tract in September, and it is reported from the island by Cory and
Gundlach. ‘Its notes ‘‘ resemble those of the common Red-wing
(A gelaius pheniceus), but are lower and more wheezy, sounding, when
a number are calling together, much like the chirping of insects ”’
(Bangs & Zappey).

133. Icterus hypomelas (Bonaparte). CUBAN ORIOLE.

Xantornus dominiscensis (not Oriolus dominicensis Linneus) Pory, Mem. Hist.
Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Icterus hy pomelas Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 110 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—Bancs & ZappEy, Am. Nat. XX XIX, 1905, 211 (Jucaro, El Hospital, Cayo
Bonito, and Santa Fé; habits; crit.).—READ, Odlogist, X XVI, 1909, I02 (I. of
Pines), 148 (I. of Pines; habits); XXVIII, ro11, 12 (I. of Pines).—REap,
Bird-Lore, XIII, ro11, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa
Barbara).—READ, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 13, 1913 (descr.; habits).

“Cuban Oriole’”’ READ, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).—
READ, Odlogist, XXVII, I910, 5 (Nuevas River), 84 (McKinley to Nueva
Gerona); XXVIII, t911, 3 (McKinley), 5 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.),
6, 1m (Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley),
I25, 130 (Santa Barbara).

Twenty-four specimens: Nueva Gerona, Bibijagua, and Los Indios.
As described by Mr. Ridgway (Birds of North and Middle

America, II, 1902, 271), male birds in first nuptial plumage average
brighter, and with more black on the head, throat, and posterior under
parts than females at this stage. In juvenal dress both sexes are like
the second-year female, but are still duller and browner, the black
of the head scarcely or not indicated. Examples shot June 26 and
July 6 are in this stage; some of those at the latter date, however,
show postjuvenal moult. Adult males average more yellow on the
crissum than adult females. Messrs. Bangs and Zappey remark that
“in birds from the Isle of Pines the yellow color of [the] rump, thighs,
and wing-coverts is a little paler than in Cuban examples, as is also
the brownish yellow of [the] under tail-coverts and anal region, with
less of this color and rather more black than in Cuban specimens;
but these differences are not very tangible and the Isle of Pines bird
is not different enough to be formally separated as a subspeciés.”’

276 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

A very common and generally distributed species, inhabiting the
thick woods as well as the palm and citrus-fruit groves, and often
coming familiarly to the vicinity of houses, to feed in the gardens and
among the vines. Several nests were found near Nueva Gerona, all
in the tops of palm trees, attached to the under side of the broad leaves.
This was during the first and second weeks in June. Young birds were
on the wing the latter part of June, accompanied by their parents, and
such family groups appeared to hold together until the following breed-
ing-season. ‘‘ The oriole feeds a good deal among the flowers of
various shrubs and trees, and its head is often daubed with juice and
pollen from these.’ (Bangs & Zappey).

134. Ptiloxena atroviolacea (D’Orbigny). D’OrBIGNY BLACKBIRD.

Quiscalus atro-violaceus PoEY, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 427 (Nueva Gerona,
fide Gundlach).

Dives atroviolaceus Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 1t11 (I. of Pines, in geog.
distr.) —GuNDLAcH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 123 (I. of Pines).

Ptiloxena atroviolacea RipGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 252
(I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—BaAaNncs & ZAppEy, Am. Nat. XXXIX, 1905, 211
(I. of Pines, ex Poey and Gundlach).—SHARPE, Hand-List Birds, V, 1909, 507
(I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 190 (I. of Pines);
XXVII, r9r0, 5 (Nuevas River); XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines), 114 (West
McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

(2?) “Rusty Blackbird?’’ REAp, Forest and Stream, LX XIII, 1909, 452 (I. of Pines).
—READ, OGlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXVIII, to11, 12 (I. of Pines), 113
(West McKinley).

This is said to be a common species in Cuba, but it must be much less
numerous in the Isle of Pines, since, while given by Gundlach as a
native of the island, it was not encountered there by either Mr. Zappey
or Mr. Link, although Mr. Read claims to have observed it on sundry
occasions. He writes that the ‘‘ Rusty Blackbird” of his earlier
articles was probably this species.

135. Holoquiscalus caymanensis dispar subsp. nov. ISLE OF PINES
GRACKLE.

Quiscalus barytus (not Gracula barita Linnzeus) PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854,
426 (Nueva Gerona, fide Gundlach).

Quiscalus gundlachii (not of Cassin) GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 124, part
(I. of Pines).

Holoquiscalus gundlachii RipGWAY, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 226,°
part (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) —Bancs & ZAppEy, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905,
211 (Santa Fé; habits; meas.; crit.).—SHARPE, Hand-List Birds, V, 1909, 509,

7

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 217

part (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.) READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 190 (I. of Pines);
XXVIII, 1910, 15 (syn.); XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines)—READ, Bird-Lore,
XIII, torr, 44 (McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).
—READ, I. of Pines News, V, Nov. 15, 1913 (descr.; habits).

“‘Grackle’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 58, and XXVIII, 1911, 13 (I. of Pines).

“Florida Grackle’”’ (error!) READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, 1909, 452 (I. of
Pines).

Quiscalus quiscula agleus (not of Baird) READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, Ior (I. of
Pines; habits). .

“‘Cuban Grackle’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, 1910, 5 (Nuevas River), 42 (I. of Pines;
nesting), 84 (McKinley to Nueva Gerona), XXVIII, to11, 3 (McKinley), 6, 11
(Nuevas River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (McKinley and Nuevas
River), 125, 127, 130 (Santa Barbara), 168 (Los Indios).

Twenty-five specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, and Nueva Gerona.

Type, No. 41,199, Collection Carnegie Museum, adult male; Nueva
Gerona, Isle of Pines, February 28, 1913; Gustav A. Link.

Subspecific characters —Similar in general to Holoquiscalus cay-
manensis caymanensis (Cory), but of larger size, and the gloss of the
plumage in the adult male almost entirely steel-blue, without any
purplish tinge.

In the following table of measurements of this and allied forms only
adult males have been included.

Holoquiscalus caymanensis caymanensis:

No. Locality. Wing. Tail. Bill.
MELE S Sue GranduCayinai nace see ree ee 135 113 30
Booro2weGrandeGaymanyecays ctr e recite oe tt eacie ois ues 134 II2 30
ROOMS mE Grande @ayInanlen causa. cider chee nacee sneer rte eeneene- 135 II4 30
BO0RAzts GrandeGayimanin. 6 cree ori ae este nce 138 D7 20
BOOs55225) GrandliCaymanin as acer cise sen aes ane see Tis II9 28
BOON mG ran GdsGay mann aR poke sic choke kelebeacusters ¢ ree 133 inate} 31

Holoquiscalus caymanensis dispar:

SOSG6r ILO archos ll Oi Jee. Gosaacooeoonoanoe osomdos TA45 128 32
SOO! ILO WhaYebko ls, Mo Gye tebe a oucess dosocudomasoaose 138 18 31.5
ATTOO2 ae Nieva.Gerona,, lof Pinesy- cic: case seis oe oe 143 I23 33
A123) ae osuindioseloty Rinesterrehr eeatee ame ae sae IAI 120 3255
ARASO! ILO iavahvosy, Wes CHI ei 5 aan on ceonoseoudahsonmnes I40 II9 33
Ane 2 S2aeOselindios lof ieineSmmeys rites crac) «nese oe I40 I20 33
epAMaAbe LO (Giver, Olloein .onico es. Godda acaabs can aoe 139 II5 Shu
sroArmies. 1eal Cqiehare Cle or, panic ob Gio Bee oe 6.5 ob onionelS Giga 140 I24 31.5
rngpumgey PL?” 1a (Giheinorsi (Gino hie eeeio osttonc lence oecmced Orots otend orc eeeeciG 146 121 34
Te AT OLS meme eG aman Ub atapecarer cess see) aerate eeehentien =e ainsi so 140 119 33

T/TATOL eer Giamay Cubanecrcs ac ente ate ier ae hee ee ais ers 140 121 5

278 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Holoquiscalus jamaicensis gundlachii:

1262 San Carlos (Estate), Guantanamo, Cuba......... I49 129 35
1273% San Carlos (Estate), Guantanamo, Cuba......... 152 1277 35
1369” San Carlos (Estate), Guantanamo, Cuba......... 152 126 35

G7 24628 = bint dad qua» acvereeuteve ly sya ake OT rE Tae 152 132 33
Cijeyitot® Ni brebiite eYol Gio merase ana ola dim cia owes oo mae Govecla oe 150 129 32
S725 028 a rinidad, (CUDA asi steht bier eae ene Pere 152 129 34
SWi252cue eurinidad: Cubawaucc octet nce ocincle Ocie oe tre 156 130 33
S7e5oce Hbrinidad,\Cubals.csve nc sco creme en cated eek oie eno I50 126 32
Si 2R Gee brinidads; Cuba. saamprecte peace wis cack eee coe eee I50 127 31
250s eitinidad |Cubaie-- = orgie ee Cen eee 142 118 35
Wi25 7-20 eorinidad. (Guba ccassrCein rth rie reese I5I 132 34
MA2OASLS* Giana ya;, (Cuba: nvrawers eee cies cae ea eae 149 128 34
T7732) Baracoa, Cubase aoe ee Lee ee ee 154 123 35

The Isle of Pines Holoquiscalus, as represented by the above fine
series, was naturally at first referred to the recognized Cuban species,
H. gundlachii, but the remarks of Messrs. Bangs and Zappey with
reference to the variation which obtains in that form led me to look
into the matter a little further, with wholly unlooked-for results.
In the course of this investigation it became necessary to examine all
of the Greater Antillean forms of this genus, which the latest reviser
of the group (Ridgway, Birds of North and Middle America, II, 1902,
222 et seq.) treats as distinct species, apparently on the ground that as
insular forms they cannot be expected to intergrade. I have always
felt doubt as to the propriety of such an arrangement, and the acquis-
ition of a series of grackles from Porto Rico and the Isle of Pines has
been made the occasion for a renewed study of this group, the con-
clusions from which I present herewith. This study has been made
possible only through theloan of a considerable number of specimens
from other sources, as elsewhere indicated.

Comparison of the series of adult males from the Isle of Pines with a
similar series from Trinidad, on the south coast of Cuba, shows at
once that the two series represent entirely distinct forms, differing
not only in size (except for the bill), but also in color. In the Isle of
Pines specimens the gloss is a dark steel-blue, very pronounced both

19 Collection U. S. National Museum.

20 Collection Field Museum of Natural History.

21 Collection Carnegie Museum.

2 Collection Charles T. Ramsden.

23 Collection American Museum of Natural History.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 279

above and below, while in the Trinidad skins it is decidedly purplish
or violaceous. - These color-differences are very conspicuous when a
series of adults are compared, while measurements show that the Isle
of Pines birds are constantly smaller. Moreover, specimens from
Baracoa, at the eastern extremity of Cuba, and from Guanaja, on the
north coast, prove to be the same as the Trinidad birds, while skins
from El Guama, in the Province of Pinar del Rio, on the other hand,
cannot be distinguished (allowing for their somewhat different con-
dition) from those from the Isle of Pines. It is evident, therefore, that
as distinctions go in this genus two different species inhabit the island
of Cuba, one the eastern and middle, the other the western portion.
The differences here pointed out, while perfectly obvious and constant,
seem to have escaped the notice of previous writers on this group, or
at least to have been discounted as having any geographical significance.
While Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, it is true, speak of the great vari-
ation among Cuban birds, they seem not to have suspected that this
variation was correlated with locality. The question of names for
the two forms naturally comes up for determination at this point.
Fortunately, the type of Cassin’s Quiscalus gundlachit is still extant
in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
and Mr. Witmer Stone has very courteously at my request compared
it with material which I forwarded for the purpose. He reports that
the type-specimen agrees precisely with the purplish bird. This fixes
the name gundlachiit on the form from eastern Cuba, and leaves that
from western Cuba and the Isle of Pines to be provided with a new
name, which I here supply. Different as it is from gundlachit, it is
so closely related to the Grand Cayman form that it is best considered
as conspecific. Besides averaging considerably larger than caymanen-
sts, it is somewhat different in color, the plumage lacking almost en-
tirely the purplish sheen which is present in that form, although by
no means conspicuous. While these differences are, it is true, more
or less bridged over by individual variation in both forms, the average
difference between the respective series is in my judgment sufficient
to entitle the bird of western Cuba and the Isle of Pines to recognition
by name.

The form from Grand Cayman is not only decidedly smaller than
the forms from eastern Cuba and Jamaica respectively, but also has
very little of the purplish gloss of the plumage, so pronounced and
characteristic a feature in those forms. The latter agree with each

280 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

other so well in their general characters that I propose to unite them
as conspecific. Indeed, all the Greater Antillean forms are so closely
related that they might be regarded as conspecific without doing
violence to the facts in the case, so far as can be judged from the ex-
amination of specimens. Whether their habits differ in any essential
manner I do not know. The Haitian and Porto Rican forms, too,
have so many characters in common that in my judgment they should
stand as subspecies of a third specific type. According to my views,
arrived at after a careful study and comparison of a series of all the
various forms involved, these should stand as follows, the diagnostic
characters being based on the adult males alone.

a. Body-plumage strongly glossed with dark steel-blue, with little or no vio-

laceous shade.
b. Larger; steel-blue gloss more pronounced. (Western Cuba and Isle of
PINES) ot a sslo Recto eee a On ae Holoquiscalus caymanensis dispar.
bb. Smaller; gloss of plumage with a slight violaceous shade. (Grand Cay-
MITAM) > Povencicesy arts het fo5 OS eueeiene Holoquiscalus caymanensis caymanensis.

aa. Body-plumage strongly glossed with violaceous.
c. Violaceous gloss more intense; bill relatively longer and_ slenderer.
(BasternmCuba)ecrs cease ee Holoquiscalus jamaicensis gundlachit.
cc. Violaceous gloss less intense; bill relatively shorter and stouter. (Jamaica)
Holoquiscalus jamaicensis jamaicensis.
aaa. Body-plumage glossed with dark purplish black, especially posteriorly.

d. Bill wider, relatively longer, with the tip less strongly decurved. (Haiti)
Holoquiscalus niger niger.
dd. Bill more compressed, relatively shorter, with the tip more strongly
decurved.. (Rorto Rico)e 2 > sachs ae Holoquiscalus niger brachypterus.

The above seems to me a more logical arrangement than that at
present in vogue, but in any case, should one or more of these six forms
be held to be of specific value, a due regard for consistency would
require all to be so treated. The various forms from the Lesser An-
tilles would also seem to require revision along the same lines, but | have
no occasion to discuss this matter further in the present connection.

The males of the lot from the Isle of Pines are divided readily into
two series when regard is had to the amount of glossiness of the general
plumage. The less glossy birds closely resemble the fully adult
females in color, but are of course larger. These I take to be birds
in first nuptial plumage. The females also differ among themselves
in acorresponding manner. Most of the specimens from western Cuba
which I have seen chance to be in this immature dress; they thus

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 281

naturally differ more from eastern Cuban birds than do adults. The
Bibijagua specimens, shot July 9 and 10, are in juvenal plumage, while
adults, taken October 13 and 14, are just completing the postnuptial

9”

moult. The iris is marked as “ straw-color ’’ in the male, not brown,
as given by Mr. Ridgway for gundlachit.

The Grackle is an abundant resident species, traveling in flocks,
except in the breeding-season. It is found throughout the island, in
the more remote districts as well as in the cultivated sections, fre-
quenting the open country, the vicinity of streams, etc. It has a
bad reputation for destroying rice, but is a useful species nevertheless.
It follows the plow as does the Crow Blackbird in the north, which
species it otherwise resembles in notes and general habits. According
to Mr. Read and Mr. Zappey it is wont to alight on the backs of horses
and cattle to pick off the ticks with thich they are often infested.
“The male, owing to the vertically placed feathers in the tail, presents
a curious appearance when on the wing.’”’ A number of nests in
process of construction were found in the Cienaga near Siguanea the
last week in April; in every case they were situated in the mangroves,
only a few feet above the water, and were built of dry sticks and stems
of weeds, lined with fine rootlets. Gundlach says that in Cuba they
nest in the palm-trees, sometimes several together, and Mr. Read speaks
of having found a nest forty feet up ina “ jucaro”’ tree. The eggs are
four or five in number, and are colored like those of the Crow Blackbird.

136. Spindalis pretrei (Lesson). CUBAN SPINDALIS.

Tanagra pretrei PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Spindalis pretrei Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 114 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—GUNDLACH, Orn. Cubana, 1895, 77 (I. of Pines).—RipGway, Bull. U. S. Nat.
Mus., No. 50, II, 1902, 68 (I. of Pines; meas.; crit.) READ, Odlogist, XX VI,
1909, 189, 190 (I. of Pines; descr.; habits); XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines).

Spindalis pretret pinus BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 213 (Santa Fé,
Jucaro, Cayo Bonito, Pasadita, and San Juan; orig. descr.; type now in coll.
Mus. Comp. Zoél.; meas.; crit.; habits)—ALLEN, Auk, XXII, 1905, 329, in
text (review).—EpiTors, Ibis, 1905, 631, in text (review).—SHARPE, Hand-List
Birds, V, 1909, 380 (ref. orig. descr.; I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).—READ, Odlogist,
XXVII, 1910, 15 (syn.).—READ, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45 (Santa Barbara).—
ReaD, I. of Pines News, VI, Dec. 6, 1913 (descr.; habits).

“‘Tsle of Pines Tanager’’ READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 5 (Santa Barbara Moun-
tain, etc.), 1r (Nuevas River), 114 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 125 (Santa
Barbara), 131 (I. of Pines).

Ten specimens: Los Indios, Siguanea, Caleta Grande, and Bibijagua.

282 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

After having compared the above with a series from eastern Cuba,
kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. Charles T. Ramsden, I find myself
unable to admit the alleged subspecies pinus to recognition. True,
the Isle of Pines birds average a little larger, as shown by Mr. Ridgway
and by Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, but the difference is certainly slight,
the measurements overlapping, and does not in my judgment justify
formal separation. Moreover, as regards color, when specimens taken
at the same season are compared absolutely no differences between the
two series are observable. Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, in their original
description, admit that their Cuban specimens (in the case of females
at least) were not comparable as to season with those from the Isle
of Pines, and it seems as if this circumstance might readily account
for the differences to which they call attention. Mr. Ridgway says
that he cannot distinguish specimens from the Isle of Pines from those
from western Cuba.

The seasonal variations in color in this species are well marked.
Males taken in November are more deeply colored than those shot in
April and May. A young bird dated September 26 is completing the
postjuvenal moult, which apparently involves the rectrices.

The Cuban Spindalis is a tolerably common resident species in the
Isle of Pines, both throughout the northern part and the portion south
of the Cienaga. During the breeding-season it is usually seen in pairs,
feeding among the buds and blossoms, particularly of Jatropha glau-
covirens, in company with the two species of hummingbirds and the
Cuban Bullfinch. At other seasons it may be found in small parties
in the jungles. According to Messrs. Read and Link it is an unusually
silent bird, and likely to be overlooked were it not for the conspicuous
colors of the male, but Mr. Zappey says that both sexes sing at times,
the song being a low, weak warble. We have so far no information
concerning the breeding habits of this species in the Isle of Pines.

137. Passerina cyanea (Linneus). INDIGO BUNTING.

“Indigo Bunting’’ READ, Forest and Stream, LXXIII, to09, 452 (I. of Pines
April 20).—READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 75 (I. of Pines); XXVIII, tort, 7 (I.
of Pines, October 20 [18], 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines).

Cyanospiza cyanea READ, Odlogist, XXVIII, 1911, 12 (I. of Pines).

A not uncommon species in Cuba in the winter, according to Gund-
lach, and recorded from the Isle of Pines on a few occasions by Mr.
Read, who has noted it as early in the fall as October 18, and as late
in the spring as April 20, these dates corresponding fairly well with

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 283

what is known of its migration in neighboring regions. Mr. Link
saw a single individual at Caleta Grande, on the “‘ south coast,’ about
April 19.

138. Melopyrrha nigra (Linneus). CUBAN BULLFINCH.
Melopyrrha nigra BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 215 (Punta del Este).
“Cuban Bullfinch’’ Reap, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 130 (I. of Pines, fide G. A. Link).

Eight specimens: Caleta Grande and Hato.

All but two of these are adult males, not one of which shows any
intermixture of black on the primary-coverts, such as is said to dif-
ferentiate M. nigra on the one hand from M. taylori on the other. A
series of Cuban specimens, which I have been able to examine in this
connection, are absolutely indistinguishable from the Isle of Pines
specimens. It is evident, therefore, that Mr. Ridgway’s use of this
particular character in his diagnosis of the two forms in question
(Birds of North and Middle America, I, 1901, 562) must have been
based on immature birds, for it is certainly quite misleading.

A female in juvenal plumage, dated April 22, is duller than the
adult, and the feathers of the back, wings, and posterior under surface
are edged and tipped with rufescent brown.

‘

This species was only encountered on the “ south coast,’ where it
was notcommon. Most of the specimens were shot in the low shrubby
thickets, feeding among the blossoms of Jatropha glaucovirens. It
‘“ appears to be restricted in the Isle of Pines to the dry, brushy country
south of the Cienaga and even there is not at all common.” Mr.

Zappey’s only specimen was taken at Punta del Este.

139. Tiaris olivacea olivacea (Linnzus). YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT..

Tiaris olivacea olivacea BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 214 (Santa Fé
and Cayo Bonito; meas.; crit.; habits)—REApD, Bird-Lore, XIII, 1911, 44
(McKinley); XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Barbara).

Tiaris olivacea READ, Odlogist, XXVI, 1909, 190 (I. of Pines; descr.; habits);
XXVIII, ro11, 12 (I. of Pines).

““Vellow-faced Grassquit’’ READ, Odlogist, XX VII, 1910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva
Gerona); XXVIII, torr, 45 (Santa Barbara Mountain, etc.), 6, 11 (Nuevas
River), 113 (West McKinley); XXX, 1913, 123 (Pine River), 125, 127 (Santa
Barbara), 130 (I. of Pines).

Twenty-six specimens: Bibijagua, Los Indios, Nueva Gerona, and
Caleta Grande.
This series shows considerable variation as regards the size of the

284 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

black pectoral area in the male, depending possibly upon age, as well
as a variation in the exact shade of the upper parts. In the female
there is even more variation in the first mentioned respect, some in-
dividuals having the black area well marked, while in others there is
no trace of it; in the case of the latter, which I take to be younger birds,
the yellow of the throat and superciliaries is also duller and more re-
stricted. A female in juvenal dress, taken July 11, is dull grayish
olive above, and paler below; the superciliaries and chin-spot indi-
cated in dull buffy; the remiges and rectrices are edged with greenish
as in the adult bird, but the color is duller.

The type-locality of this form is Santo Domingo, and according
to Mr. Ridgway (Birds of North and Middle America, I, 1901, 531)
birds from this island differ in certain minor respects from Cuban
specimens, and Messrs. Bangs and Zappey confirm this with reference
to Isle of Pines examples also. But the differences are very slight,
and I agree with these authors in considering them as unworthy of
recognition by name.

The Yellow-faced Grassquit is a very common bird, possibly the
most abundant bird in the island. It occurs in large scattered flocks
during most of the year, frequenting the bushy pastures, citrus-groves,
pineapple-fields, etc. In fact it is found almost everywhere, except
in the jungles and swamps. In its habits it recalls the Junco of the
north, spending most of its time on the ground, and flying up into the
trees when disturbed. It feeds on the seeds of various grasses and
weeds, and according to Mr. Read occasionally on grasshoppers and
crickets. As early as February the flocks break up into pairs, and
nesting begins in March. The nests are built low down in a bush or
shrub, not necessarily in secluded places, however, as the birds often
select the vicinity of houses for this purpose, like the Chipping Sparrow
in the north. The nest is a globular affair constructed of dry grasses
and other vegetable fibers, with an entrance on one side. Four or
five eggs are the usual complement; they are pale blue in color, with
small brownish and blackish spots on the larger end.

140. Tiaris canora (Gmelin). MELopIous GRASSQUIT.

Passerina collavis PoEy, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, 1854, 426 (Nueva Gerona, fide
Gundlach).

Euetheia canora Cory, Cat. W. Indian Birds, 1892, 113 (I. of Pines, in geog. distr.).
—Ruipeway, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 50, I, t901, 536 (Cory’s record).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 285

Tiaris canora BANGS & ZAPpPEY, Am. Nat., XXXIX, 1905, 215 (I. of Pines?, ex
Poey and Cory).—REeEap, Bird-Lore, XV, 1913, 45, and XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa
Barbara). :

““Melodious Grassquit’’ READ, Odlogist, X XVII, 1t910, 84 (McKinley to Nueva
Gerona); XXVIII, 1911, 13, and XXX, 1913, 131 (I. of Pines), 123 (McKinley),
125 (Santa Barbara).

A species peculiar to Cuba, and which has been attributed to the
Isle of Pines by Poey, on the authority of Gundlach, who, however,
says nothing about such an occurrence himself. This appears to be
the sole basis for its inclusion in Mr. Cory’s list, to which Mr. Ridgway
refers. Messrs. Bangs and Zappey, however, ‘‘ consider this a very
doubtful record, probably due to confusion of names,”’ for the reason
that Poey does not include the common Yellow-faced Grassquit in
his list, while the present species was not detected either by Mr.
Zappey or by Messrs. Palmer and Riley. Mr. Read writes that he
has identified this species on a few occasions in the ‘‘ West Coast ”’
section, and has taken specimens. It was noted in small flocks, and
he considers it a rare bird.

141. Ammodramus savannarum australis Maynard. GRASSHOPPER

SPARROW.

Coturniculus savannarum passerinus (not Fringilla passerina Bechstein) BANGS &

ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 215 (I. of Pines, March).

Ammodramus savannarum (not Fringilla savannarum Gmelin) READ, Odlogist,

SOOVilliieerorn, 1as(k. of Pines).

“Grasshopper Sparrow’’ READ, Odlogist, XXX, 1913, 131 (1. of Pines, December).
Ammodramus savannarum australis READ, Bird-Lore, XVI, 1914, 50 (Santa Bar-
bara).

Two specimens: Los Indios.

These were both shot in an open pasture, on October 25 and No-
vember 21 respectively, and were the only individuals seen on the
entire trip. They are precisely similar to winter specimens from
Florida, and evidently represent a normal extension of the winter
range of the present form. It is of course possible that there may be a
resident form of Ammodramus savannarum in the Isle of Pines, as in
several of the other West Indian islands.

142. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wilson). SAVANNAH
SPARROW.

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna BANGS & ZAPPEY, Am. Nat., XX XIX, 1905, 215
(1. of Pines, March).

This is only a winter resident, but is apparently not common,
Mr. Zappey being the only observer who has been so fortunate as to

286 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

meet with it. Specimens were taken by him in March, 1902, but it
was not encountered during his second trip. The Isle of Pines seems
to be about the southern limit of the winter range of the species.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

The following chronological list of titles embraces all in which there
have been found any references, however trivial, to the birds of the
Isle of Pines. The list is believed to be practically complete, and in-
cludes not only original references, but also papers containing allusions
to or quotations from such sources. More than half of the titles are
credited to Mr. Arthur C. Read, some of whose articles appeared in
a local newspaper, a file of which is unobtainable, and most of the
remainder in an amateur ornithological journal, seldom cited by sys-
tematic authorities. The writer of course is aware that it is not
customary to consider newspaper articles in compiling a scientific
bibliography, especially in such a case as this, where they are not
available for general reference, and they are given here merely for the
sake of completeness, and because some of the matter they contain
has been used in preparing the present paper. All titles have been
transcribed literally, and the place and date of publication given in
full.

1854. Pory, FELIPE. Apuntes sobre la Fauna de la Isla de Pinos.—Memorias
sobre la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba, 1, Chapter XX XVIII, June,
1854, 424-431.

Contains a nominal list (pages 426-7) of sixty-three species of birds
observed by Gundlach during a six days’ stay in the vicinity of Nueva
Gerona. As we learn from other sources, this was in January, 1854, and
numerous winter resident birds are naturally included in the list.

1856. GUNDLACH, JOHANNES, and CABANIS, JEAN. Dr. J. Gundlach’s Beitrage
zur Ornithologie Cuba’s. [Part IV].—Journal fiir Ornithologie, IV,
January, 1856, 1-16.

Myiadestes elisabeth (wrongfully) attributed to the Isle of Pines (page
2). (Cf. Journal fiir Ornithologie, XX, 1872, 420).

1861. GUNDLACH, JOHANNES. Zusdtze und Berichtigungen zu den ‘“‘Beitragen
zur Ornithologie Cuba’s.’”’ [Part I].—Journal fiir Ornithologie, IX,
November, 1861, 401—416.

Contains a reference (page 416) to Chlorenas inornata as a bird of the
Isle of Pines.

1866. GUNDLACH, JUAN. Revista y Catalogo de Aves Cubanas.—Repertorio
Fisico-Natural de la Isla de Cuba, I, [iii], February, 1866, 281-302.

Contains but a single reference to the Isle of Pines—Chlorenas inornata
(page 208).

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 287

1873. GUNDLACH, JUAN. Catalogo de las Aves Cubanas.—Anales de la Sociedad
Espafiola de Historia Natural, Madrid, II, 1873, 81-191.

Differs but little from his 1866 catalogue. Chlorenas inornata from
the Isle of Pines, page 143.

1875. GUNDLACH, [‘‘JEAN’’] JOHANNES. Neue Beitrage zur Ornithologie Cubas.
[Part VI].—Journal fiir Ornithologie, XXIII, July, 1875, 293-340.

Grus “‘canadensis’’ (= nesiotes) attributed to the Isle of Pines (page
293).

1876. GUNDLACH, JUAN. Contribucién 4 la Ornitologia Cubana. Havana, 1876,
pp. 364.

This was published in a series of supplements (probably separately
paged) to the Anales de la Academia de Ciencias médicas, fisicas y naturales
de la Habana, beginning in 1873 (1871 according to Mr. Charles T.
Ramsden), and continuing for about three years. Unfortunately no
unbound set of this publication is available at present, so that the exact
dates of publication of the various parts are not now ascertainable.
The above is the title of the completed volume, issued in 1876. There
are Isle of Pines references for Dendroica virens (page 64), Chrysotis leuco-
cephalus (page 124), Conurus enops (page 126), Chlorenas inornata (page
128), and Grus ‘“‘canadensis”’ (page 143).

1891. GUNDLACH, JOHN. Notes on Some Species of Birds of the Island of Cuba.—
Auk, VIII, April, 1891, 187-191.

Contains a note on an abnormally colored example of Chrysotis leuco-
cephalus from the Isle of Pines.

1892. Cory, CHARLES B. Catalogue of West Indian Birds. Boston, 1892, pp.
163, I map.

In the systematic portion of this work (pages 81-122) are listed all the
then known forms of West Indian birds, with an indication of the various
islands included in the range of each. The Isle of Pines records herein
cited are doubtless (in part at least) from a manuscript list of birds
observed on the island during the month of April, 1892, by Dr. Gundlach,
and by him placed at the author’s disposal (cf. statement on page 35).

1895. GUNDLACH, JUAN. Ornitologia Cubana, 6 Catalogo descriptivo de todas
las especies de Aves tanto indigenas como de paso anual 6 accidental
observadas en 53 afios. Havana, 1895, pp. 328, 14 pls.

“The last work of this distinguished Cuban ornithologist, containing
many references to the birds of the Isle of Pines.’’ With but few excep-
tions, however, these references are mere indications of the occurrence
there of certain species. The work was published in parts or signatures
of sixteen pages each, as monthly supplements to the Archivos de la Poli-
clinica, commencing some time in 1893, and concluding in 1895. The
title quoted is that of the completed volume.

1901. RIDGWAY, ROBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part I.—
Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, October 24, 1901, pp.
xxxli + 715, 20 pls.

The only reference to the Isle of Pines in this volume is the quotation

of Mr. Cory’s record under the synonymy of Euetheia canora, page 537.

I902.

1904.

1904.

1905.

1905.

1905.

1905.

1905.

ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

RipGway, ROBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part II.—
Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, October 16, 1902, pp.
xx -+ 834, 22 pls.

Contains sundry references to the Isle of Pines in specifying the ranges
of certain species. Measurements of Isle of Pines specimens of Spindalis
pretrei on page 609.

CooKE, WELLS W. Distribution and Migration of North American War-
blers.— Bulletin Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture,
No. 18, 1904, pp. 142.

Quotes Mr. Cory’s record for Dendroica virens from the Isle of Pines
(page 88).

RipGwWAy, ROBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part III.
—Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, December 31, 1904,
pp. xx + 8or, 19 pls.

Refers to Isle of Pines specimens of Petrochelidon fulva fulva (page 53),
and quotes several references from other authors bearing on the birds of
the island.

BANGS, OUTRAM, and ZAPPEY, WALTER R. Birds of the Isle of Pines.—
American Naturalist, XX XIX, April, 1905, 179-215. Review, Ibis, 1905,
630; Auk, XXII, 1905, 329.

The first authoritative and important annotated list of the birds of the
island, based on a collection made by the junior author in the spring and
early summer of 1904, together with some data secured on an earlier
trip, in March, 1902. With this original information are incorporated
the previously published records of Messrs. Cory, Gundlach, and Poey,
bringing the whole number of species in the Isle of Pines list up to one
hundred and twenty. Six of these are here described as new, and critical
notes on others are added. Much interesting and valuable information
on the habits, local distribution, etc., of the various species is included.
There is an introduction treating of the physical features, climate, etc.,
of the island, a map, and a number of half-tones illustrating characteristic
scenery.

NELSON, Epwarp W. Notes on the Names of certain North American
Birds.—Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XVIII, April 18,
1905, 121-126.

Cathartes aura is divided into a northern and southern race, specimens
from the Isle of Pines being referred to the latter.

BANGS, OUTRAM. The Cuban Crab Hawk, Urubitinga gundlachii (Cabanis).
—Auk, XXII, July, 1905, 307-309.

Contains a translation of Gundlach’s remarks on this species in his
Ornitologia Cubana, 1895, 18-19, in which he refers to a nest found in
the Isle of Pines.

CLARK, AusTIN H, The Genus Conurus in the West Indies.—Awk, XXII,
July, 1905, 310-312.

Refers to Conurus euops as formerly an inhabitant of the Isle of Pines.

THAYER, JOHN E., and BANGS, OUTRAM. The Mammals and Birds of the
Pearl Islands, Bay of Panama.— Bulletin Museum of Comparative Zodlogy,
XLVI, September, 1905, 137-160.

1905.

1905.

1906.

T9006.

1907.

1907.

1909.

1909.

1900.

1909.

1909.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 289

Measurements given of Isle of Pines specimens of Butorides virescens
maculata (pages 142-143).

CLARK, AUSTIN H. The West Indian Parrots.—Auk, XXII, October, 1905,
337-344.

The Isle of Pines included in the range of the genus Ara.

CxiarkK, AUSTIN H. The Greater Antillean Macaws.—Auwk, X XII, October,
1905, 345-348.

Ara tricolor is set down as recently extinct in Cuba and the Isle of Pines.

HELLMAYR, CARL E. On the Birds of the Island of Trinidad.—Novitates
Zobdlogice, XIII, February, 1906, I-60.

Measurements given of Isle of Pines specimens of Hydranassa tricolor
ruficollis (page 50).

CooKE, WELLS W. Distribution and Migration of North American Ducks,
Geese, and Swans.—Bulletin Biological Survey, United States Department
of Agriculture, No. 26, 1906, pp. 90.

Reference is made to the only Isle of Pines record for Chen hyperborea
nivalis (page 68).

RipGway, ROBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part IV.—
Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, July I, 1907, pp. xxii +
973, pls. 34.

Critical notes, measurements, and references to a number of Isle of
Pines species of Turdida, Mimide, and Tyrannide are included.

ROTHSCHILD, WALTER. Extinct Birds. London, 1907, pp. 244, pls. 42.

Includes a reference to Bangs & Zappey’s record of Ava tricolor from the
Isle of Pines (page 51).

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XX VI, April 15, 1909,
57-58.

A nominal list (common names only) of forty-four species observed
during the course of a two months’ stay on the island. Several of these
were admittedly imperfectly identified, while others are obviously so.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odélogist, X XVI, May 15, 1909,
75+

An addendum of twelve species to his previous list, including among
others the Cerulean Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo (!).

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XX VI, July 15, 1900,
IOI-I02.

Notes on the habits of the ‘‘Florida’”’ (= Isle of Pines) Grackle and
Ani; list of additional species observed (including such questionable
records as Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Vireo, and Black-
billed Cuckoo); and corrections of identifications in his previous lists.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XX VI, Aug. I5, 1900,
I24-125.

Notes on the habits of the Red-legged Thrush, and additions to the
list of species recorded from the island. The ‘‘Chimney Swift” of his
previous list is here set down as probably the Black Swift.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XX VI, September 15,
1909, 148-149.

Interesting notes on the habits of the Cuban Oriole, ‘‘Zenaida Dove’”’

290

1909.

1909.

1900.

1909.

1909.

1909.

1900.

IQIO.

IQIO.

IQI0.

IQI0O.

IQIO.

IQIO.

ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

(i. e., the Isle of Pines Plain Pigeon), Limpkin, and Ruddy Quail Dove.
READ, ARTHUR C. Birds on [sic] the Isle of Pines.—Forest and Stream,
LXXIII, September 18, 1909, 452.

A nominal list of species seen between December 6, 1908, and July 19,
1909. English names are used almost entirely, and there are numerous
erroneous and incomplete identifications.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, X XVI, October I5,
I909, 165-160. ;

An account of the habits of the Anhinga.

SHARPE, R. BOwpLER. A Hand-List of the Genera and Species of Birds.
Volume V. London, 1909, pp. xx + 694.

Specific references to the Isle of Pines as included in the ranges of a
few species.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XX VI, November 15,
I909, 189-190.

Brief descriptions and notes on the habits of the “‘ Isle of Pines Tanager”’
(Cuban Spindalis) and Yellow-faced Grassquit, with-a list of additional
species observed.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Lizard Cuckoo.—Odélogist, XXVI, December 15,
19090, 223.

As observed in the Isle of Pines.

READ, ARTHUR C. Isle of Pines Trogon.—Odlogist, X XVI, December 15,
I909Q, 223.

Brief description and notes on its habits, as observed in the Isle of
Pines.

READ, ARTHUR C. Additions.—Odélogist, XXVI, December I5, 1909, 224.

A nominal list of nine additional species, of which at least two may be
classed as doubtful.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Paddle Down the Nuevas River, November 20, 1909.
—Odlogist, XX VII, January 15, I9I0, 5.

A nominal list of thirty-two species.

READ, ARTHUR C. From [the] Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, X XVII, February
I5, IQIO, I4—I5.

Migration dates of various species for the fall of 19009.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Correction.—Odélogist, X XVII, February I5, I910, 15.

Referring to his previous article in this publication for November 15,
1909, and correcting the names of three species therein mentioned.

Reap, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Pigmy Owl.—Odlogist, X XVII, March 15,
IQIO, 35.

A brief description and account of its habits, as observed in the Isle of
Pines.

ReaD, ARTHUR C. A Few Isle of Pines Nesting Records For 1909.—
OGlogist, XX VII, April 15, 1910, 42.

Dates of nesting for seven species.

READ, ARTHUR C. From the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XXVII, May 15,
IQIO, 61-62.

On the Ricord Hummingbird and Cuban Tody, as observed in the

Isle of Pines.

IQIO.

IQIO.

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IQIO.

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IQIl.

IQII.

IQII.

IOIl.

IQII.

IQII.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 291

Reap, ArtHuR C. From [the] Isle of Pines. A Field Trip to Las [Los]
Tres Hermanas [Hermanos] Mountains, April 4, 1910.—Odlogist, XXVII,
June 15, 1910, 84.

A nominal list of twenty species observed.

AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION COMMITTEE. Check List of North
American Birds. * * * Third Edition (Revised). New York, August,
IQIO, pp. 430, I map.

Petrochelidon fulva attributed to the Isle of Pines (page 292).

CooKE, WELLS W. Distribution and Migration of North American Shore-
birds.— Bulletin Biological Survey, United States Department of Agriculture,
No. 35, October 6, 1910, pp. 100, 4 pls.

Oxyechus vociferus torquatus given as breeding in the Isle of Pines
(page 88), doubtless on the authority of Messrs. Bangs and Zappey.

BaNncs, OuTRAM. Two New Woodpeckers from the Isle of Pines, West
Indies.—Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XXIII, December
29, I910, 173-174.

Descriptions of Centurus superciliaris murceus and Xiphidiopicus per-
cussus insule-pinorum, from specimens in the collection of the Museum
of Comparative Zoélogy, collected by Walter R. Zappey.

Reap, ARTHUR C. Bird-Life of a Small Pond at McKinley, Isle of Pines,
Cuba.—Odlogist, XXVIII, January 15, 1911, 3, 2 pls.

Sixteen species recorded.

Reap, ArtHUR C. Birds of Santa Barbara Mountain and Vicinity, Isle of
Pines, Cuba.—Oélogist, XXVIII, January 15, I9II, 3-4.

A description of the mountain, with a list of twenty species of birds
observed there in October.

Reap, ARTHUR C. Nesting Records, McKinley, Isle of Pines, Cuba, for
1910.—Odlogist, XXVIII, January 15, 1911, 5.

Dates of nesting for nine species.

READ, ARTHUR C. Sundry Trips.—Odélogist, XXVIII, January 15, 1911, 5-7.

A nominal list of the birds observed on two trips from McKinley to the
mouth of the Nuevas River, August 16 and November 14 (year not
stated), and another list covering the species observed on December 4
ona trip from McKinley to the Cafiada Mountains.

READ, ARTHUR C. Migration Notes From The Isle of Pines.—Odlogist,
XXVIII, January 15, IoII, 7.

The records run from April 14 to November 26. The year is not stated,
but is probably 1910. Several species are recorded which are not known
to occur in the West Indies except as accidental visitants, and such

_ records are naturally open to suspicion.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Flycatchers of the Isle of Pines.—Odlogist, XXVIII,
January 15, 1911, 7-0.

Brief notes on the habits and nesting of five species.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Trip Down the Nuevas to the Sea.—Odlogist, XXVIII,
January I5, I9II, 9-11.

A nominal list of forty-three species observed between McKinley and
the mouth of the Nuevas River, May 17-19 (1910?).

292

IQII.

IQIl.

IQIl.

IQII.

IQIl.

IQIl.

1912.

IQI2.

IQI2.

1913.

ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

Reap, ARTHUR C. List of Birds Observed by A. C. Read On The Isle of
Pines, Cuba, From December 1908, to December 1909.—Odlogist, XXVIII,
January 15, IQII, II-I3.

A formal list, with English and scientific names (many misspelled), but
without annotations, of one hundred species, with a supplementary list
of fourteen species observed during I910 but not previously noted.
Practically all the questionable records in the author’s previous articles
are here repeated.

Reap, ArtHuR C. Bird-Lore’s Eleventh [Christmas] Bird Census. Mc-
Kinley, Isle of Pines.—Bird-Lore, XIII, January-February, 1911, 43-44.

Twenty-four species recorded.

READ, ARTHUR C. Birds Seen on one Ten Acre Tract in West McKinley,
Isle of Pines, Cuba.—Odlogist, XXVIII, July 15, I9o1I, 113-114.

A nominal list of eighty species, with an indication of their relative
abundance. Contains numerous doubtful records.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Day at Bibijagua Beach, Isle of Pines.—Odlogist,
XXVIII, September 15, 1911, 146. .

A nominal list of nine species observed on June 16, (1911?). The
‘Virginia Rail’’ is of course some other species.

RipGway, RoBert. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part V.—
Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, November 29, I9QII,
pp. xxiii + 8590, 33 pls.

Contains measurements of Isle of Pines specimens of Riccordia ricordit
yicordit (page 543), and description and measurements of Priotelus
temnurus vescus, based on an examination of the type-series.

BuRNS, FRANK L. A Monograph of the Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platyp-
terus).—Wilson Bulletin, XVIII, September and December, I9II, 139-320.

On page 195 is given a record of a pair of Broad-winged Hawks seen
circling about the crown of Los Tres Hermanos Mountains on April 3,
r9t0, by Mr. Arthur C. Read, and identified with a field-glass.

OBERHOLSER, Harry C. The Status of Butorides brunescens (Lembeye).
—Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XXV, April 13, I912,
53-56.

Description, measurements, and critical notes on two specimens of this
species from Nueva Gerona, Isle of Pines.

OBERHOLSER, Harry C. A Revision of the subspecies of the Green Heron
(Butorides virescens [Linnzus]).—Proceedings United States National
Museum, XLII, August 29, 1912, 529-577.

Isle of Pines specimens of Butorides virescens cubanus listed (page 559).

OBERHOLSER, HARRY C. A Revision of the forms of the Great Blue, Heron
(Ardea herodias Linnzeus).—Prvoceedings United States National Museum,
XLIII, December 12, 1912, 531-559.

The Isle of Pines is mentioned as included in the range of Ardea herodias
adoxa (page 545).

Reap, ARTHUR C. Bird-Lore’s Thirteenth Christmas [Bird] Census. Santa
Barbara, Isle of Pines.—Bird-Lore, XV, January-February, 1913, 45.

Thirty-seven species recorded.

1913.

IQIT3.

1913.

IQI3.

IQI3.

IQI3.

IQI3.

1913.

IQ13.

TOL:

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 293

BANGS, OuTRAM. New Birds from Cuba and the Isle of Pines.—Proceedings
New England Zoélogical Club, IV, March 31, 1913, 89-92. Review, Auk,
XXX, 1913, 452-453.

Agelaius subniger described from the Isle of Pines, from specimens in
the Bangs Collection, Museum of Comparative Zodlogy.

Topp, W. E. Ciype. A Revision of the Genus Chemepelia.—Annals Car-
negie Museum, VIII, May 8, 1913, 507-603.

Isle of Pines references to Chemepelia passerina aflavida (page 562), and
list of specimens examined (page 599).

CooKE, WELLS W. Distribution and Migration of North American Herons
and their Allies —Bulletin Biological Survey, United States Department of
Agriculture, No. 45, May 24, 1913, pp. 70.

Contains several references to published records from the Isle of Pines
for species belonging to this group of birds.

Topp, W. E. CLtype. Preliminary Diagnoses of apparently new Birds from
Tropical America.—Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XXVI,
August 8, 1913, 169-174.

Rallus longirostris leucopheus described from the Isle of Pines, from
specimens in the Carnegie Museum.

READ, ARTHUR C. Impressions of the Birds of McKinley, Isle of Pines,
Cuba, Made on an Early Spring Morning (March 18, 1911).—Odlogist,
XXX, August I5, 1913, 122-123.

Random notes on various species observed.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Trip to Pine River, Isle of Pines.—O6logist, XXX,
August 15, I913, 123-125.

Thirty-three species observed.—July 12-13, IQII.

READ, ARTHUR C. Birds of the West Coast Section of Santa Barbara,
During the Month of September.—Odlogist, XXX, August 15, I913,
127-130.

Random notes on sundry species, with half-tones of a grove of royal
palms, and of the nesting-places of the Cuban Martin and Isle of Pines
Parrot.

READ, ARTHUR C. Isle of Pines Note.—Odélogist, XXX, August I5, I913,
130.

Records specimens of the Cuban Crow, Cuban Bullfinch, and Roseate

Spoonbill lately taken in the Isle of Pines by Mr. Gustav A. Link.

READ, ARTHUR C. Birds Observed on the Isle of Pines, Cuba, 1912.—
Oologist, XXX, August 15, 1913, 130-131.

A nominal list of species, with an indication of the seasonal status and
relative abundance of each, and in some cases the dates of first records.
Numerous dubious records are included.

READ, ARTHUR C. Birds Observed on the Isle of Pines From Dec. 1908, to
Jan. 1912, Which Were Not Seen During 1912 by A. C. Read.—O6logist,
XXX, August 15, 1913, 131.

A nominal list of thirty-four species, with dates when each was noted.
Numerous dubious records are here repeated.

294 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

I913. READ, ARTHUR C. The Herons of the Isle of Pines, Cuba.—Odélogist, XXX,
August I5, I913, 132.
Brief notes on ten species.
I913. READ, ARTHUR C.. Birds Seen on a Long Journey.—O¢logist, XXX, October
I5, 1913, ‘264-268’ (= 164—-168!).
A nominal list of species observed at various points on a trip from
the Isle of Pines to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and return.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. Red-legged Thrush, Mimocichla Rubripes Rubripes.—
Isle of Pines News, V, October 18, 1913.
This is the first of a series of articles from Mr. Read’s pen, published in
a local newspaper at Nueva Gerona, and dealing with the birds of the
Isle of Pines in a popular way. There is usually a brief description and
general account of the habits, relative abundance, etc., of the several
species discussed, as observed in the Isle of Pines. Needless to add, these
articles are of much more interest and value than the nominal lists of
birds which go to make up so many of Mr. Read’s contributions to other
journals; the text is remarkably free from typographical errors, and
scientific names are given in almost every case.
I913. READ, ARTHUR C. Cuban Kingbird, Tolmarchus Caudifasciatus.—Isle of
Pines News, V, Oct. 25, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Tody, Todus Multicolor.—Isle of Pines
News, V, November I, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. The Isle of Pines Trogon, Priotelus Temnurus Vescus.—
Isle of Pines News, V, November 8, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Grackle.—Isle of Pines News, V, November
15, I9I3.
1913. READ, ARTHURC. Isle of Pines Lizard Cuckoo, Saurothera Merlini Decolor,
Spanish (Arriero).—Isle of Pines News, V1, Nov. 22, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. Cuban Red-bellied Woodpecker, Centurus Superciliaris.
—Isle of Pines News, V1, November 29, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. Isle of Pines Tanager, Spindalis Pretrei Pinus.—Isle of
Pines News, VI, Dec. 6, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR, C. The Cuban Oriole.—Isle of Pines News, VI, Dec. 13, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. Anhigna [sic], Anhigna Anhigna.—Isle of Pines News,
VI, December 20, 1913.
1913. READ, ARTHUR C. The Herons of the Isle of Pines.—Isle of Pines News, V1,
December 27, 1913.
List of twelve species, with a brief description of each.
1914. READ, ARTHUR C. Antillean Nighthawk, Chordeiles Virginianus Minor.—
Isle of Pines News, VI, January 3, 1914.
1914. READ, ARTHUR C. The Kingbirds.—Isle of Pines News, VI, January 10,
IQI4.
Tyrannus dominicensis and T. cubensis.
1914. READ, ARTHUR C. Cuban Green Woodpecker—Xiphidiopicus [percussus]
—Isle of Pines News, VI, January 17, 1914.
1914. READ, ARTHUR C. The Owls of the Isle of Pines.—Isle of Pines News, VI,
January 24, I9T4.
Notes on four species.

IOT4.

IQT4.

IQT4.

I9t4.

IOr4.

IQT4.

IQI4.

IQT4.

IQr4.

IQT4.

IQT4.

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IQT4.

Topp: THE BIRDS OF THE ISLE OF PINES. 295

READ, ARTHUR C. The Limpkin, Aramus Giganteus.—Isle of Pines News,
VI, January 31, 1914.

READ, ARTHUR C. Bird-Lore’s Fourteenth Christmas [Bird] Census,
Santa Barbara, Isle of Pines, Cuba.—Bird-Lore, XVI, January—February,
IQT4, 50.

A nominal list of thirty-one species.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Crane, Grus Nesiotes.—Isle of Pines News.
VI, February 7, 1914.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Warblers.—Isle of Pines News, VI, February 14,
Igr4.

A list of twenty-one species of warblers and three of vireos, including
several of doubtful authenticity as regards their occurrence in the Isle of
Pines.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Dove and Pigeons of the Isle of Pines.—Isle of
Pines News, VI, February 21, 1914.

Nine species briefly discussed.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Martin (Progne Cryptoleuca).—Isle of
Pines News, VI, April 4, 1914.

OBERHOLSER, Harry C. A Monograph of the Genus Chordeiles Swainson,
Type of a new Family of Goatsuckers.—Bulletin United States National
Museum, No. 86, April 6, 1914, pp. viii + 123.

Isle of Pines specimens of Chordeiles virginianus virginianus and C. »v.
minor are listed (pages 44 and 84).

RipGway, RoBERT. The Birds of North and Middle America. Part VI.—
Bulletin United States National Museum, No. 50, April 8, 1914, pp. xx +
882, 36 pls.

Isle of Pines records and references for a number of species of Picide,
Alcedinide, Todide, Caprimulgide, Tytonide, and Bubonide. A new
owl, Glaucidium siju vittatum, is described from the Isle of Pines.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon Fulva).—
Isle of Pines News, VI, April 11, 1914.

Includes also a note on the occurrence of the Barn and Bank Swallows.

READ, ARTHUR C. The Cuban Quail [,] Colinus Cubanensis.—Isle of Pines
News, VI, April 18, 1914.

READ, ARTHUR C. A Bird Trip to the South Coast.—Isle of Pines News, V1,
April 25, 1914.

Random notes on a few species observed on an ocean trip from Westport
to Caleta Grande, April 19, 1914.

CooKE, WELLS W. Distribution and Migration of North American Rails
and their Allies.— Bulletin of the United States Department of Agriculture,
No. 128, September 25, 1914, pp. 50.

Contains a reference to Gundlach’s record of Grus mexicana from the
Isle of Pines (page 10).

READ, ARTHUR C. Birds of Prey of the Isle.—Isle of Pines Néws, VI,
May 30, Ior4.

A notice of nine species, the Cuban Sparrow Hawk and Cuban Crab
Hawk being treated at some length.

296 ANNALS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM.

1915. BANGS, OuTRAM. Notes on Dichromatic Herons and Hawks.—Auk,
XXXII, October, 1915, 481-484.

Contains references to certain species of these groups from the Isle of
Pines.

I915. Topp, W. E. Crype. Preliminary Diagnoses of seven apparently new
Neotropical Birds.—Proceedings Biological Society of Washington, XXVIII,
November 29, 1915, 169-170.

Contains a brief description of Columba inornata proxima, page 170.
CARNEGIE MUSEUM,
December 20, IQI5.

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol X. Plate XXII.

Fic. 2. Jungle on upper slopes of Caballos Mountains.

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol X. Plate XXIII,

Fic. 1. Palmetto-pine Scrub, covering large tracts.

Fic. 2. Grove of Royal Palms.

Fic. 3. Bottle-palms. The big tree is frequented by the Isle of Pines Parrot,

which nests there.

Plate XXIV.

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol. X

Grove of Caribbean Pines near McKinley.

Ts

FIG.

bank.

Mangroves and grass along river

ics 2

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol. X. Plate XXV,

Fic. 1. Characteristic View in the Cienaga.

Fic. 2. Sea-cliffs at Punta del Este.

=
ne

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol. X. Plate XXVI.

=
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wt
et

Cuban nighthawk, Chordeiles virginianus minor (Cabanis) on nest, Santa Barbara, Isle of Pines.
Photographed by A. C. Read. By the Courtesy of Mr. R. M. Barnes, Editor The Odlogist.

ot 7

ate ees.

a= ve) Wess Ste me mm eames a ee es

ANNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUN Plate XXVII.

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Puntadel Potrero

! CABO FRANC

OF

NNALS CARNEGIE MUSEUM, Vol. x

Plate XXVil.

MAP OF
ISLE OF PINES

WEST INDIES

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SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

HANI

9088 00620 9571

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