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Bul. 326, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

: B2126-74
Porto RICAN ToDY OR SAN PEDRITO (TODUS MEXICANUS). SLIGHTLY REDUCED.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey
HENRY W. HENSHAW, Chief

Washington, D. C. PROFESSIONAL PAPER March 24, 1916

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO.

By ALEx WErmorE, ASsistant Biologist.

CONTENTS.
Page. Page.
Introductton e230 22 72s r vyrs eee Lie sibliographys 2s. oe Ss eee 150
Annotated list of species_.__._____& Tee GaN Keo. qe eae Re Oe ce Re SYR ee 133
INTRODUCTION.

The following report on the birds of Porto Rico is the result of
investigations made by the Biological Survey in cooperation with
the government of the island. Because of the damage to crops by
insect pests and the resulting pecuniary loss, the Board of Commis-
sioners of Agriculture of the island in 1911 requested the aid of the
United States Department of Agriculture in an effort to determine
the relations of the island birds to the insect fauna. Little was actu-
ally known concerning the economic status of many species of birds,
and that little was founded chiefly upon field observation, a method
not without value, but one leading frequently to error.

In Porto Rico the population is engaged primarily in agricultural
pursuits, the production of sugar, tobacco, coffee, and fruits greatly
overshadowing other lines of industrial activity. Under the methods
of intensive agriculture now employed many insects, including the
mole cricket, the cane root-boring weevil, the May beetle, and others,
are very destructive. Various methods have been employed in at-
tempting to check the ravages of these insects, and planters are be-
ginning to recognize that the island birds are of enormous importance
in combating them. In the rural districts, however, the country
people, ignorant of the services birds render, ruthlessly plunder nests
and kill small birds wantonly or for food. In addition, several
species of great economic importance are classed as game birds and

are killed without regard to season or their value as insect destroyers.
9767°—Bull, 326—16—1

2 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Accurate knowledge in regard to the economic status and relative
abundance of the island birds was lacking, and there was little upon
which to base protective legislation. MKnowledge was lacking also in
regard to practicable methods for increasing useful resident species;
and, finally, as to the desirability of introducing exotic insectivorous
or other birds.

Investigations were begun in December, 1911, and continuous field
work was carried on until September, 1912, permitting nine months
of consecutive observation. All the principal regions of Porto Rico
were visited, short trips were made to the adjacent islands of
Vieques and Culebra, and four days were spent on Desecheo Island,
in Mona Passage. <As a result of this field work more than 2,200
stomachs of birds collected at all seasons were available for labora-
tory study and investigation, about 2,000 of which were collected by
the writer and the remainder acquired from other sources. The
examinations and results have additional importance as representing
the first extended work of the kind carried on within the tropical
regions of the Western Hemisphere.

ITINERARY.

The field work in Porto Rico covered the entire island and the
more important off-lying islands, with the exception of Mona. Ef-
fort was made to visit the main agricultural areas at different seasons
in order to study bird life in its relation to changing conditions of
season and cultivation incident to growth. Original conditions were
studied so far as possible by exploring the small areas of natural forest
still remaining.

Beginning at San Juan, the capital city, on December 13, 1911.
work was continued on the island until September 11, 1912, as
follows (see Pl. IT) :

San Juan, Dee. 13-15. Yauco, May 16-28.
Rio Piedras, Dec. 16—28. Maricao, May 29—June 5.
Fajardo, Dec. 29-30. Mayagiiez, June 6.
Rio Piedras, Dec. 31—Jan. 4. Anasco, June 7-8.
Caguas, Jan. 5-14. Aguadilla, June 9-12.
Cayey, Jan. 15—25. Desecheo Island, June 13-16.
Aibonito, Jan. 26—Feb. 4. Aguadilla, June 17.
Aibonito to Rio Piedras, Feb. 5. Lares, June 18—July 1.
San Juan, Feb. 6-8. Quebradillas, July 2-6.
Mameyes, Feb. 9—Mar. 1. Manati, July 7-11.
Hacienda Catalina, Mar. 2-12. Ciales, July 12-18.
Mameyes, Mar. 13-14. Bayamon, July 19-25.
San Juan, Mar. 15. Comerio, July 26-31.
Vieques Island, Mar. 16—Apr. 4. Bayam6on, Aug. 1.
Culebra Island, Apr. 5-22. Toa Alta, Aus as

Louis Pefia, or Southwest Cay. Apr. 11. | Utuado, Aug. 3-9.

Culebrita Island. Apr. 15. Adjuntas, Aug. 10-16.
Vieques Island, Apr. 28. Juana Diaz, Aug. 17-22.
Naguabo, Apr. 24. Ponce, Aug. 23.
San Juan, Apr. 25. Cabo Rojo, Aug. 24-31.
Salinas, Apr. 26—May 2. Cabo Rojo to Caguas, Sept. 1—2-
Yabucoa, May 3-11. Humacao, Sept. 3-9.
Patillas, May 12-14. San Juan, Sept. 10-11.

Ponce, May 15.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 3

PHYSIOGRAPHY OF PORTO RICO.

Approximately 100 miles long by 40 broad, Porto Rico, though
the smallest of the Greater Antilles, possesses considerable diversity
of surface. From Mayagiiez to Humacao extends a mountain chain
known in the west as the Cordillera Central and east of Aibonito
as the Sierra de Cayey. Northeast of the latter runs the Sierra de
Luquillo, rising in El Yunque to 3,406 feet above sea level, the
highest point on the island. From this central divide the descent
to the coast is abrupt and much broken by series of hills cut by deep
ravines. As the range is nearer the south coast the larger streams
flow to the north. A low divide separates the northeastern moun-
tain mass from the main range, and others, higher, offer passage
across the island at several points.

The coastal region is formed by a narrow plain extending around
the island, though in a few places the hills approach the sea abruptly.
In this plain, conical limestone hills rising to sharp points are fre-
quent, and inland is found a rough limestone foothill region. Man-
grove swamps and shallow lagoons, many of which have been drained
of late years, are found near the mouths of rivers on the north and
west coasts, and at Gudnica is a considerable body of fresh water
with surrounding marshes.

Governed by the prevailing northeast trade winds, rainfall varies
greatly in different localities. For the entire island the annual
average precipitation amounts to 77.3 inches. The south coast
is relatively dry, the greatest precipitation occurring on the north
side. The maximum volume of rain falls in the northeast on Fl
Yunque and about its base, where the annual average is 185 (maxi-
mum 169) inches. The northern slopes of the central mountain range
as a whole secure the greatest quantity. Along the northwest coast
from Isabela to Camuy is an area of small precipitation, at times
very dry, while the south coast from Cabo Rojo to Guayama is
almost universally so, the annual average being 40 inches or less.
The rainy and dry seasons are not well.defined, rains occurring
throughout the year. The minimum rainfall is in February, while
the maximum occurs from May to November, varying with the
locality.

Vieques and Culebra Islands are comparatively low, with many
rounded hills. Lagoons are found near the sea, though they are
frequently dry. The general appearance of the islands is that of
the south coast of Porto Rico. Desecheo Island in Mona Passage is
smaller, and rises in two conical hills from the sea to an altitude of
about 400 feet. A rough path leads up and down over the rocks
above the beach, but inland the brush is almost impassable. Mona
Island, as described by Bowdish (MS.), is 7 miles long by 38 or 4
wide and is rather barren. It slopes gradually from the higher north

4 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

end to the south and, though elevated, is comparatively level. Caves
are numerous in the face of the cliffs above the sea. At the south-
west 1s a comparatively low strip of ground. Both Mona and
Desecheo are dry and arid.

BIRD LIFE.

As compared with corresponding latitudes in Central America
and Mexico, the avifauna of the Greater Antilles is very poor in the
number of species, as is usual in island groups distant from conti-
nental regions. Porto Rico, smallest of the chain to which it be-
longs, is also least in number of forms of bird life, a fact explained
by its comparative isolation and remoteness from evolutionary centers
in the large land areas. Thus far 162 species and subspecies are
recorded for the region, including Porto Rico, Mona, Desecheo, and
the American possessions in the Virgin Group, while 16 others are
included as hypothetical. A number of forms recorded by Ledru
(1810) are disregarded as whelly improbable. Of the bona fide
forms, 94 breed on the islands, 63 are visitants during migration,
and 5 species, perhaps residents at one time, may be called accidental.
Among the resident species 25 are peculiar to the region under dis-
cussion (24 on Porto Rico and 1 on Mona Island) and 3, though
breeding there, are absent during part of the winter season. Six
have been introduced from foreign countries and are now feral or
have been within recent years.

Birds are generally more abundant on the coastal plain than in-
land, the swamp-loving species and water birds being confined chiefly
to the neighborhood of the sea. The range of a number of Greater
Antillean birds finds its most eastern extension in Porto Rico, and a
few forms come up through the Lesser Antilles to Vieques Island,
but go no farther. Mona and Desecheo, isolated peaks on the ocean
floor, are populated almost entirely by sea birds, few land birds
occurring there.

On the average, about 30 species are found in reasonable numbers
during summer in almost any inland locality on Porto Rico, and a
few more North American migrants are added in “winter. Near
the coast these numbers are augmented somewhat by water birds.
The species are few, but individuals, especially of dominant forms,
are plentiful, though often overlooked by a casual observer because
of their retiring habits and secretiveness. Certain areas are seem-
ingly destitute of bird life, but to show that birds are more numerous
in Porto Rico than is commonly supposed, two censuses were taken
during the breeding season, in which accurate count was made of
the number of species and individuals of each seen. On May 24,
at Yauco, 391 birds belonging to 35 species were listed in four hours
in traversing a distance of 5 miles through cane fields, open and

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 5

brush-filled pastures, and areas given over to small crops. Twenty-
six of these species, comprising 252 individuals, belonged to benefi-
cial forms of economic importance, and the remainder, 139 indi-
viduals of 9 species, were neutral forms, harmless, and inoffensive.
Near Lares, in the interior, a census taken on June 28 covered
an area of approximately the same size, but one of coffee plantations
and small farms. Here 335 individuals of 27 species were seen; of
these, 21 species (300 individuals) were beneficial and 6 species (35
individuals) were neutral. These results compare very favorably
with censuses taken on similar cultivated areas in eastern United
States during the breeding season. The relative importance of birds
to the major agricultural interests of the island may best be under-
stood by a consideration of species commonly found in cane fields,
coffee plantations, and citrus groves.

BIRDS FOUND IN CANE FIELDS.

Cane fields cover the larger part of the arable lowlands of the
island and in favorable localities extend over the foothills and
higher slopes. As these fields are cultivated intensively and offer
no safe nesting sites unless bordered by palms or other trees, they
are used only as feeding grounds by birds coming in from near by
where cover and security are to be found. The fields are frequented
chiefly when being plowed or cultivated, as grubs, mole crickets, and
other insects are then readily accessible to the birds. When the
cane grows higher, birds are seen in the roads, which cut the fields
into squares, and in the dense tangle of stalks some species find con-
venient shelter. No bird harms the cane in any way, and those that
are not directly beneficial by destroying insects, and to a less extent
weed seeds, are neutral and do no damage. During most of the year.
only adult insects of the important pests are available, immature
forms being exposed mainly at plowing time. To see a flock of
blackbirds at that season following closely in the furrows behind
the plow, eating greedily and carrying food to their young, empha-
sizes their value. Following is a list of birds found regularly in
the cane fields; a number that occur more or less casually are not
included :

Martinete (Butorides v. cubanus). Golondrina (Progne dominicensis).

Garza (Florida c. cerulescens). Ruisenor (Mimus p. orpheus).

Faleén (Falco s. loauacula). Pizpita dorada (Seiurus aurocapillus).
Rolita (Chemepelia p. trochila). Reinita (Cereba portoricensis).

Tortola (Zenaida z. lucida). Veterano (Amandava melpoda).

Judio (Crotophaga ani). Mariquita (Agelaius xanthomus).
Zumbador (Anthracothoragz aurulentus). Mozambique (Holoquiscalus brachypterus).
Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis). Chamorro bicolor (Tiaris b. omissa).
Golondrina (Petrochelidon f. peciloma). Gorrioén (Tiaris o. bryanti).

The same species frequent tobacco fields and areas of small farms,
where legumes, maize, and other small crops are grown.

6 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The smaller shorebirds are often found in migration in low wet
fields, and other birds frequently venture into the borders of the crop
before it is cut.

BIRDS FOUND IN COFFEE PLANTATIONS.

The extensive forests which formerly covered Porto Rico have
been replaced in the interior to a great extent by coffee plantations;
only small sections of second growth are left, and these diminish
steadily year by year. The most extensive region devoted to coffee
culture is in the western end of the island around Maricao and Ad-
juntas, but large fincas occur through the hills of the entire island
and in a few places on level ground near the coast. The low coffee
trees and attendant shade trees covering them do not seem to sup-
ply all the needs of the original forest-dwelling species, though
many have adapted themselves readily to the changed conditions.
Parrots, crows, and courlans have almost disappeared, and other
species, greatly reduced in numbers, are restricted in their range
to the dense forest growths remaining on inaccessible hills or on
land of little value. |

In the coffee plantations changing seasons offer little variation,
except in the flowering and the gradual maturing of the coffee berries.
Once, or perhaps twice, in the year the ground is cleared somewhat
and the trees trimmed, and later, pickers come through gathering the
crop; but during most of the year, except near the paths leading
through the fincas, there is little human interference with the wild
life found there. Insects, many of them injurious, are common, and
make many a meal for the birds which harbor in the plantations;
while berries, seeds, and wild fruits in their season offer a super-
abundant supply to the birds which prefer vegetable food. It is
claimed that birds do some damage to ripening coffee berries by
eating the sweet pulp surrounding the inner berry, but as yet this
charge is unsubstantiated. The damage is done apparently by rats.
which, being unseen, are not suspected, the birds getting the credit
for the misdeeds of the rodents. Many species of birds, as wood-
peckers, flycatchers, cuckoos, and others, are of great benefit here,
and only rarely can any of the forms found in the coffee district be
called injurious. In the absence of forests, these plantations serve as
centers of distribution for birds, and so aid in keeping at a maximum
the number of individuals in each section. for from their shelters
the birds spread into the more open hedgerows and scattered tree
growths of the surrounding country. The following list enumerates
the more common of the avian residents of coffee plantations, and in-
cludes several northern forms that winter here in numbers sufficient
to render them of economic importance:

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. a

Fale6n (Falco s. loquacula).

Perdiz (Geotrygon montana).
Paloma turca (Columba squamosa).
Pajaro bobo (Coccyzus m. nesiotes).

Pajaro bobo major (Saurothera vieilloti).

Carpintero (Melanerpes portoricensis).
San Pedrito (Todus mewxicanus).
Micaro (Gymnasio n. nudipes).
Zumbadorcito (Chlorostilbon maug@i).

Zumbador verde (Anthracothorag viridis).

Clérigo (Tolmarchus taylori).

Jui (Myiarchus antillarum).

Bobito (Blacicus blanco).

Golondrina (Petrochelidon f. paciloma).
Zorzal (Mimocichla a. portoricensis).

Bien-te-veo (Vireosylva c. calidris).

Candelita (Setophaga ruticilla).

Bijirita adelaida (Dendroica adelaide).

Bijirita aplomada (Dendroica c. cerules-
cens).

Pecho de oro (Compsothlypis a. usnee.)

Bijirita trepadora (Mniotilta varia).

Reinita (Cereba portoricensis).

Calandra (Icterus portoricensis).

Verdoso (Nesospingus speculiferus)
cal distribution).

Reina mora (Spindalis portoricensis).

Jilguero (Tanagra sclateri).

Gallito (Lozigilla portoricensis).

Chamorro bicolor (Tiaris b. omissa).

(of lo-

Julian chivi (Vireo latimeri).
BIRDS FREQUENTING CITRUS GROVES.

The citrus groves of Porto Rico are growing steadily in extent,
and it is of vital interest to the growers that birds accept the new
conditions brought about and make the orchards regular feeding
grounds. Rumors that a bird injured the fruit by puncturing it could
not be substantiated. A few birds, as the oriole and spindalis, were
seen eating oranges, but in every case they attacked only wild fruit
that was dead ripe and beginning to soften. The honey creeper, too,
came to sip the juice when the oranges were once broken open. Quail-
doves pecked open the rotting sweet oranges for the seeds as they
lay on the ground, but no birds were found attacking sound fruit in
the groves. Insectivorous species in feeding about the trees destroy
innumerable pests and assist in keeping the trees clean. The open
spaces and shady perches found are attractive to a number of birds,
and when nests are built in the orchards care should be taken not to
disturb them. Many birds now finding shelter in brushy areas sur-
rounding the groves resort to the orchards to feed during the day.
The following list of birds observed mainly in the Bayamon district
and about Rio Piedras includes some of the most beneficial species on
the island:

Falcén (Falco s. loquacula).

Playero (Oxyechus v. rubidus).

Rolita (Chaemepelia p. trochila).
Tortola (Zenaida z. lucida).

Judio (Crotophaga ani).

Zumbador (Anthracothoraz aurulentus).
Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis) .
Clérigo (Tolmarchus taylori).

Jui (Myiarchus antillarum).
Golondrina (Petrochelidon f. peciloma).
Ruisenor (Mimus p. orpheus).

Julian chivi (Vireo latimeri).
Bien-te-veo (Vireosylwva c. calidris).

Bijirita galana (Dendroica discolor).
Bijirita adelaida (Dendroica adelaide).
Pecho de oro (Compsothlypis a. usne@).
Bijirita trepadora (WUniotilta varia).
Reinita (Cereba portoricensis).

Diablito (Spermestes cucullata).
Mariquita (Agelaius xanthomus).
Calandra (Icterus portoricensis) .
Mozambique (Holoquiscalus brachypterus).
Reina mora (Spindalis portoricensis) .
Chamorro bicolor (Tiaris b. omissa).
Gorrion (Tiaris o. bryantt).

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS.

The food of the birds considered in this report does not exhibit the
seasonal variation so noticeable in the case of birds of more northern

8 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. °

latitudes. The food of resident birds in the United States shows in
many instances a predominance of insects in the warmer season and
of vegetable matter in the winter months, though many specialized
forms may feed on one or the other throughout the year. In Porto
Rico, because of the even temperature and slight climatic changes,
birds are not forced to vary their diet; consequently the percentages
of animal and vegetable food are relatively stable from month to
month, and a bird is vegetarian or predacious, or both, throughout
the year, according to its natural bent. Young birds of partially
insectivorous species, when abandoned by their parents and left to
their own resources, often feed largely upon berries and other vege-
table matter, but as they become more adept secure the same kind of
food as their parents.

Among resident forms, birds belonging to families which in tem-
perate latitudes feed almost entirely on insects, eat great quantities
of vegetable matter. This is especially noticeable among flycatchers.
Of the five forms inhabiting these islands only one, the bobito
(Blacicus blancoi), is truly insectivorous; the others, all birds of
fair size, consume many more berries and wild fruits than do their
representative forms in the north; and one, the ejainea (Zlainea m.
martinica), 1s almost entirely vegetarian. Small wild fruits and
berries abound at all seasons, offering an easily obtainable food sup-
ply. Some North American migrants, predacious in their northern
homes, here follow the example of native forms and feast on the
bountiful crop of berries before them.

In Porto Rico, birds which feed on wild fruits almost entirely, as
the spindalis, are not at all injurious. The coffee berry, with its
sweet outer covering, is the only important small cultivated fruit,
and from the evidence available it is left untouched by birds, though
two species are locally believed to eat it. The distribution of seeds
of wild fruits can not be charged against the birds, as none of the
plants or shrubs disseminated are of importance as noxious species.
Small grains are grown in comparatively small areas and are little
eaten by birds. The few kernels of corn taken by blackbirds amount
to nothing, and none of the seed-eating pigeons examined had taken
grain.

Among the common birds found in Porto Rico none, fortunately,
may be called wholly pernicious. The small bird-eating Acczpzter
found at Maricao is certainly injurious, and its larger relative, the
red-tailed hawk, is troublesome when it acquires a taste for poultry;
but some species, while to a certain extent destructive, make up for
their damage in other ways. Several birds eat large numbers of
lizards and tree toads, seemingly without reducing their numbers,
as these creatures are to all appearances as abundant as is possible.

Bul. PLATE lI.

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LXFLANATION

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COLLECTING LOCALITIES.

B2127-92

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ee
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Bul, 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

PLATE II.

PORTO RICO

O Cc Eero \eees NV

a
Alpsaro.N
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= 0 _—.. ‘ nati t ne, © we f — iN (
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Is) Los arias * — Pal! Taos omy, poste = ifierog | bade
AlgarroboPi pee [ier . Barrio Cidlitos JY 5
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LXPLANATION

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Giuertos : 1 ROUTE OF A. WETMORE.
COLLECTING LOCALITIES.

2127-92

Map oF Porto Rico SHOWING ROUTE AND COLLECTING LOCALITIES OF THE AUTHOR.

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BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 48)

Only one lizard, the siguana (Ameiva exul), an important terrestrial
form, is disappearing. Few of these, however, are eaten by birds, so
that their diminution is to be charged to other agencies, perhaps to
the mongoose, as this lizard can not climb. Many spiders also are
eaten, more especially in the dry Iocalities where they abound.

The value of the birds studied here is necessarily ascertained
largely through a consideration of their insect food, certain domi-
nant insect forms being so destructive that their bird enemies are of
the utmost importance. The economic status of many insects com-
mon in Porto Rico is at present uncertain, and as they are more
thoroughly studied some will undoubtedly prove very destructive;
the lists of insects identified, as contained in the body of this report,
will then serve as an index to their bird enemies so far as at present
known. It is unfortunate that a robust bird like the pearly-eyed
thrasher (largarops f. fuscatus) should devote its attention to wild
fruits instead of to insects, but the conditions favor frugivorous
species.

With these brief general statements, we pass to a consideration of
the bird enemies of a few of the well-known insect pests.

BIRD ENEMIES OF THE MOLE CRICKET.

The changa, or mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus), is without
doubt the best-known insect in Porto Rico, as it is among the most
injurious. Though found in other parts of the West Indies, in
South America, and in southern United States, its ravages reach
their maximum in the region under consideration. Living almost
entirely in the ground, it escapes attention for the most part, and the
adult, with its strong fossorial front legs and chitinous thorax, is
too large and tough a morsel for many birds. The nymphs, small
images of their parents, and varying in size with age, are more at-
tractive to the average bird. At plowing time many are exposed to
the watchful eyes of their enemies, and others, forced near the surface
in the lowlands by water in the soil, are unceremoniously haled forth
and swallowed. The blackbird (Holoquiscalus brachypterus), popu-
larly considered one of the greatest enemies of “la changa,” in reality
destroys but few, though it sustains its reputation as a beneficial
species in other ways, as will presently be seen. Other species, how-
ever, make up for the blackbird’s shortcomings, and among them the
despised martinete (Butorides v. cubanus), ridiculed for its ungain-
liness, ranks foremost. Standing watchfully, with head drawn in,
among the short growth of the young cane fields, or walking with
lengthened stride along the border of lowland pools, it spies and
avidly swallows both adults and young of the mole cricket. The
species at present known to aid in suppressing this pest number 21.

10. BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and following is a list of them arranged somewhat in order of im-
portance (figures following the name of each species indicate the
percentage formed by the mole cricket in the total bulk of the food) :

Per cent. - Per cent.
Martinete (Butorides v. cubanus)_~ 54.33 | Zorzal (Mimocichla a. portoricensis)_ 0.86
Faleén (Falco s. loquacula)_____--- 28.69 | Mtcaro (Gymnasio n. nudipes)—---~ . 60
Playero (Oxyechus v. rubidus) —~--~- 14.42 | Canario de manglar (Dendroica p.
Putilla (Actitis macularia) ____---- 10.78 barthotemica) = ee eo
Garza (Florida c. cerulescens) —----- 7.23 | Gorrién(Coturniculus s. intricatus) _ <2
Judio (Crotophaga ani)_——_—-—____-— 5.69 | Mozambique (Holoquiscalus brachyp-
Ruisenor (Mimus p. orpheus) ~---~-- 3. 62 terus)) 22 ee eee eee 224.
Clérigo (Tolmarchus taylori)__---~ 3.04 | Calandra (Icterus portoricensis) ~~ Sal
Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis)_ 2.38 Pajaro bobo (Coccyzus m. nesiotes) — Se:
Jui (Myiarchus antillarum) —_---_--- 1.27 | Zorzal negro (Margarops f. fuscatus) 16
Garzon blanco (Herodias egretta)_._ 1.00 | Becacina (Gallinago delicata), one
Julian chivi (Vireo latimeri) _----_ . 90 bird only examined.

BIRD ENEMIES OF THE SUGAR-CANE ROOT-BORER.

The sugar-cane root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri), known also as
the orange leaf-weevil, is abundant and has long been known as in-
jurious to citrus stock. The adult feeds on leaves of the sugar cane,
orange, guava, avocado, mango, rose, and jobo, while recently the
grub has been found to be the destructive cane root-borer whose
depredations have been known for some time. The adult is common
everywhere in weeds, cane fields, and on trees; and though two
broods are said to emerge, a few may be found throughout the year.
The grub, buried in the ground, is exposed to the attacks of birds
during plowing and cultivation only. None were identified in any of
the stomachs examined, though adults were eaten commonly by a
number of birds. The blackbird especially eats large numbers, and
the remains of as many as 16 were found in a single stomach. The
larger flycatchers captured the greatest quantities, and the quertlous-
voiced ani is not far below them in usefulness. The insect was iden-
tified in the stomachs of 17 species of birds, listed in the order of
their importance as follows:

Per cent. } Calandra (Icterus portoricensis), in 38

Clérigo (Tolmarchus taylori)_.----~ 18. 47 stomachs.
Pitirre (J'yrannus d. dominicensis)_ 17.19 | Gallito (Logigilla portoricensis), in 3%
Jui (Myiarchus antillarum)_—_______ a ha By stomachs.
Mozambique (Hologuiscalus brachyp- Gorrién (Coturniculus s. intricatus), in 1
ECVALS) oe evi Fetch: cae ee es 9. 69 stomach.
Judio (Croteophaga ani) _——— 7.09 | Zorzal negro (Margarops f. fuscatus), in
Micaro (Gymnasio n. nudipes)____ 1.80 1 stomach.
Mariquita (Agelaius canthomus)__. 1.72 | Pajaro bobo (Coccyzus m. nesiotes), in 1
Bien-te-veo (Vireosylva c. calidris)-— 51 stomach.
Ruisefor (Mimus p. orpheus)—-___~_ .25 | Pajaro bobo (Coccyzus americanus), in 1
Zorzal (Mimocichla a. portoricen- stomach.
sis), in 1 stomach. Gallareta (Gallinula g. galeata), in 1
stomach.

BIRD ENEMIES OF THE WEEVIL STALK-BORER.

The weevil stalk-borer (M/etamasius hemipterus) is more common
than generally supposed. as numbers were found in the stomachs

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 11

of certain species of birds examined. The larva bores in the stalks
of the sugar cane, and the adult insect, a long-snouted weevil, hides
at the bases of the leaves. It is not at present known to injure other
crops. The adult alone is available as food for birds. Fragments of
these beetles were found in the following:

Per cent. | Judio (Crotophaga ani), in 1 stomach.

Mozambique (Holoquiscalus brachyp- Mariquita (Agelaius wxanthomus), in 1
ECTAUS) ye UR ied is Ms ee oe ao 5. 44 stomach.

Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis)_ 5.30 | Calandra (JIcterus portoricensis), in 1

Clérigo (Volmarchus taylori)-----~- ike Hays: stomach.

BIRD ENEMIES OF THE MAY BEETLE.

Locally doing great damage, the May beetle, or caculo (Lachno-
sterna sp.), may be briefly mentioned as another well-known economic
species. In the immature stage as the “white grub,” or gusano
blanco, thousands are turned out in furrows during the plowing sea-
son and then are exposed to the attacks of birds. The adults are
strictly nocturnal, and so escape many birds, and the grubs are ex-
posed for only a short time. However, several birds had eaten either
erubs or beetles and are listed here. Of these, the mticaro (Gymnasio
n. nudipes) is by far the most important, and by its nocturnal habit
can successfully cope with adults when they are flying.

Per cent.
Miicaro (Gymnasio n. nudipes)__-_ 24. 40 Pitirre (Tyrannus d. dominicensis), in 1
Mozambique (Holoquiscalus brachyp- stomach.
UC TRU S)) eee ene aa a em, ta yg TE aS Cok Capacho (Antrostomus carolinensis), in 1
Garza (Florida c. cerulescens) _-_-~ 1.00 stomach.
Pajaro bobo (Coccyzus m. nesiotes) — mE
e METHODS OF INCREASING BIRDS.

Though, as has been stated, birds are more common in Porto Rico
than is locally believed, it is desirable that their numbers be increased
that they may aid in keeping injurious insects in check. One of the
first steps in an attempt to increase bird life is to provide adequate
legal protection both for the birds and for their nests-and to make
sure that the laws are properly enforced. Game laws should restrict
the hunting of game birds to certain open seasons, as outlined in the
report which follows; should provide bag limits; and also allow the
collection of specimens under permit for scientific study and research.
Although it may seem that birds should be protected absolutely, the
few used in a proper study of their habits and economic status would
have no effect on the great mass of individuals of any given species.
Without such scientific study no advance can be made in knowledge
regarding the birds themselves.

As an aid in the enforcement of protective laws no method is of
more value than the education of school children. If they are taught
to look on birds as friends and not to disturb them, many a brood of

12 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

young that otherwise would be destroyed will reach maturity. Courses
in nature study have been found interesting and profitable wherever
undertaken in elementary schools, and will prove especially so in
Porto Rico. The detailed knowledge of the natives concerning their
island flora and fauna was noted by early historians, and has been
corroborated and enlarged upon by travelers in the island for many
years. Every bird, tree, and shrub was recognized and had its name.
sometimes that bestowed by the aborigines, sometimes a cognomen
given by the Spaniards from some resemblance toa form with which
they were familiar in their native land. Now that a considerable
proportion of the population is concentrated in towns, much of this
stock of common knowledge is being lost, and many of the younger
generation are strangers to it. The country boys and girls traveling
to and from school through the coffee plantations or along the roads
and trails become versed in the lore of out-of-doors from their elders,
but in towns lack of this information among children is noticeable.
Names remain without proper association with the objects to which
they pertain, and a fund of common knowledge ages old in its incep-
tion and growth is in danger of being lost. It seems natural for a
boy to throw stones or break eggs in the nests which his sharp eyes
discover, but under proper guidance these misapplied energies may
easily be directed to the encouragement and preservation of his
feathered friends.

That birds need shelter as well as protection will not be questioned,
and owners of plantations should look carefully to providing this
if it is not already present. A long level stretch of cane or tobacco,
with not a tree or other obstruction to break its continuity, while a
pleasing sight to the agriculturist, offers little encouragement to the
bird in search of shelter and food. A similar stretch of cultivated
land, with lines of symmetrical royal palms or coconuts along the
roadways and dense clumps of graceful bamboos adorning the bor-
ders of streams, while not losing an iota of its productiveness, will
gain in esthetic charm and beauty and provide an attractive feeding
ground for birds which will more than repay the owner in the great
numbers of injurious insects they consume.

In cane fields during the preparation of the soil fence posts offer
convenient perches for such birds as the sparrow hawk and gray
kingbird, which require commanding outlooks from which to watch
for their prey. Later these posts are overshadowed by the cane, but
if more trees were present inducement would be offered the birds
to frequent the fields throughout the season. The jobo (Spondias
lutea), with its open limbs and small shade, is a favorite perch and
nesting site of birds, and the spiny trunk is a protection against
terrestrial nest robbers.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 13

All birds desire shelter from the burning heat of the midday sun,
and this should be made available. Green herons, or martinetes, and
anis prefer clumps of bamboos, while blackbirds frequent palms.
Brushy growths on waste lands should not be cleared too closely, as
they harbor many useful birds, while in localities where birds are
scarce small plantings might be made on the least valuable soil for
their encouragement. Tobacco fields seem especially barren of shel-
ter, and though for a small portion of the year the more valuable
parts are shaded with cheese cloth, during the remainder birds would
perform valuable service in ridding the soil of insects.

Another class of birds needs safeguarding in a different way. In
the coast region at present are found numbers of little blue herons,
_ snowy herons, and green herons, which nest in colonies in dense
growths of tall mangroves. From these rookeries they spread inland
into the cultivated areas in search of food, destroying large numbers
of mole crickets and other injurious insects. These swampy tracts
are being steadily cut over and cleared in the quest for wood for
charcoal, and thus breeding places are destroyed. The little green
heron, or martinete, can survive this, as it nests frequently in bam-
boos and other trees, but the other species will be greatly reduced in
numbers unless some of these shelters are preserved. Part of this
swampy territory is still under government control and could be set
aside as bird reserves and the important rookeries preserved; but
where these are found on private land the owners should be far-
sighted enough to leave untouched portions of the swamps occupied
by the herons, as such measures will repay them in the long run.
The most important localities where conditions should be investi-
gated are between Salinas and Guayama, below Yabucoa, Pifiero
Island off Ceiba, Comezon Cove north of Mameyes, the lagoons north
of Rio Piedras, the region about San Juan Bay, the coast region
near Vega Baja, and the swampy regions about Porto Real and
Joyuda near Cabo Rojo. Suitable localities, even though at present
cleared, would in a very few years be covered by new growth and so
furnish shelter. | |

The martin, which nests in natural cavities in trees or in crevices
about buildings in towns, might be attracted to the country if nest-
ing boxes were provided. A hollowed-out calabash on a pole would
be as readily accepted as a more pretentious mansion capable of
housing several pairs, but the shelter should in all cases be placed
in an open location with a free sweep on all sides and well elevated.
At present no attempt is made to attract these valuable birds by
artificial nesting sites, but from their habits they should respond as
readily as the species found in the United States.

Persons interested in watching birds about the house might at-
tract some species by planting a few of the wild fruits of which they

14 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

are fond and which may be ascertained from the lists given on other
pages of seeds identified in the stomachs examined. The majority
of species of birds found in Porto Rico seem to be local in distribu-
tion; that is, they do not wander beyond their own immediate terri-
tory, and under proper encouragement and protection their numbers
should greatly increase. The tendency is to cut away tree and brush
growth at the borders of fields and on waste lands and so to decrease
the available shelters for birds. With these conditions righted bird
life should multiply and increase to the maximum which can exist
on the island.
INTRODUCTION OF BIRDS.

Six species of birds are known to have been introduced in recent
years into the island of Porto Rico, though only one, the hooded
weaver finch (Spermestes cucullata), has spread over a large area.
Of the others, the quail (Colinus v. cubanensis), introduced near
Vega Baja, is apparently extinct; and the guinea fowl (Vuwmida
meleagris), known for many years as feral on this island, is very
rare. The South American troupial (/cterus icterus), though found
in Gundlach’s time in a few localities, has apparently vanished;
while the scarlet-cheeked weaver finch (Amandava melpoda), unlike
the other member of the same family, has been known for many
years only from the southwestern corner of the island and is still
restricted to that range. There are no records to show how, when,
or by whom these birds were introduced. The turkey vulture
(Cathartes a. aura), found near Guanica, has not extended its range,
though conditions are favorable for it over the entire island. None
of the exotic species acclimated are injurious, and. one, the vulture.
would be decidedly beneficial if more common. The hooded weaver
finch, at present harmless and living almost entirely on grass seeds,
might, if rice culture were again attempted on a large scale, do con-
siderable damage.

After a careful study of the conditions the introduction of in-
sectivorous or frugivorous species would seem to the writer to be of
doubtful value. Only species of economic importance will here be
considered. To cope with the island insect pests at present attract-
ing attention, the birds would have to be of moderate size at least.
In addition to this they would have to be brought in from near-by
islands or from continental tropical areas. In the present state of
our knowledge concerning the food habits and general economy of
tropical forms not a single species can be confidently recommended.

Too little is known of the food of tropical birds to merit their in-
troduction into Porto Rico. Flycatchers, cotingas, becards, or mem-
bers of the family of troupials, brought from the continent or other
islands within the Torrid Zone, might prove to be almost entirely

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 15

frugivorous or develop: an abnormal appetite for the abundant
lizards and tree toads, which already suffer enough from the depre-
dations of native forms of bird life and under the added weight of
new enemies might be exterminated.

It is very doubtful if birds of well-known habits introduced from
the United States would breed and rear their young under tropical
conditions. Only an occasional species seems able to sustain itself
when subjected to a new environment, and in order to do so it must
be capable of assimilating a somewhat omnivorous diet, as forms
specialized in regard to food or habits are almost certain to perish.

Should it be desired, however, to experiment in the introduction
of extralimital birds, the barn owl (7yto perlata) is recommended,
as this bird is almost cosmopolitan in its range. Raptorial species
are rare on the island, and as the fondness of the barn owl for rats
is well known it is likely to prove a profitable introduction. In case -
the attempt 1s made, birds should be secured from Cuba or Jamaica
or from as far south in the United States as possible, and shelters
in the form of dove cotes should be provided for them in secluded
places bordering the cane fields. It would be necessary to supply
them with a small quantity of food until they become accustomed to
the change of environment and could become self-supporting.

Should the birds increase, other shelters would have to be pro-
vided, as natural cavities are not found in sufficient numbers.

At present no species capable of coping with the changa or caculo
can be suggested which would thrive on the island and not be de-
structive to other interests. In clearing any circumscribed terri-
tory of its original forest and introducing methods of agriculture
more or less intensive, great changes are wrought in the relations
of the manifold interdependent forms of life found therein. This
is shown plainly in the bird life of the island of Porto Rico. Cer-
tain species entirely dependent upon forest conditions for a suitable
habitat have become very rare or in some cases extinct. Others
more plastic, changing their haunts in conforming with new con-
ditions, have held their own, or, in a few cases, have increased in
number. It can not be supposed that in pre-Columbian times, when
the island was entirely covered with trees, such birds of the open as
the blackbird, ani, and gray kingbird were found in anything like
their present numbers. Happily, the disappearing species are not
highly beneficial and their place is filled by individuals of much
greater economic value. To introduce a number of foreign species
when nature is striving to attain equilibrium would only cause fur-
ther disruption and disturbance. Energies should rather be directed
toward the increase in number of the native birds, whose habits are
better known and understood.

16 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

To Mr. J. T. Crawley, who during the period when I was in Porto
Rico was director of the sugar experiment station at Rio Piedras,
and who originated the present movement for bird protection and
conservation in the island, I am deeply indebted for information and
aid. Mr. D. L. Van Dine, at that time entomologist under Mr.
Crawley, gave me material assistance In many ways, and the other
members of the staff at the sugar experiment station were equally
obliging. Mr. W. V. Tower, director of the Insular Experiment
Station, who was then entomologist for the board of commissioners
of agriculture, allowed me the use of his office as headquarters
and rendered every assistance in his power. He was seconded dur-
ing the latter part of my stay by his assistant, Mr. S. S. Crossman.
Without Mr. Tower’s aid the work would have been greatly handi-
capped and undoubtedly much prolonged. Mr. George Shanton,
chief of police of Porto Rico, gave me a general letter to the men
under him, which obviated many annoyances and inconveniences,
and without which field work would have been impossible.

I am indebted to Senor José J. Monclova y Cagigal, of Rio
Piedras, for valuable information concerning the birds of the island,
and to Senor Rosendo Matienzo, who rendered me much assistance
at Mameyes. Sefores Miguel Mir and Ramon Alonzo, owners of
the celebrated Hacienda Catalina, above Mameyes, offered me every
hospitality while I was in the forest region on El Yunque. Every
kindness was shown me at the experiment station at Mayagiiez, and
to many friends on the island I am indebted for aid cheerfully given
whenever it was required.

In working up the collection of skins made during the field work, .
Dr. C. W. Richmond, acting curator of birds of the United States
National Museum, rendered all possible assistance and placed at my
disposal his personal notes made in Porto Rico; while Mr. J. H.
Riley, of the division of birds, gave me a large number of titles bear-
ing on Porto Rican ornithology and assisted in other ways.

Le eS a ee ee ee
rae e . - -
s

ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES.

FOREWORD.

The species of birds discussed in the following pages comprise all those known
at present to inhabit or to visit Porto Rico. For each species are given the
names under which it is known, a brief account of its habits, and a statement
regarding its food and economic status. Where deemed advisable, detailed lists
of insects and other animals, seeds, and fruits identified in the stomachs are
given in systematic order, so that as the status of other forms of life becomes
known the relation of the birds to them may be more easily ascertained. Birds
which have been enumerated by previous authors, but the occurrence of which
has been found to be doubtful, have been included in brackets, with a brief sum-
mary of their status. A bibliography of important titles referred to in the
preparation of this paper is given and, though not exhaustive, will prove of
value. In citations reference is made to author, year of publication, and page.
In case of two titles by the same author in one year, the second is distinguished
by the letter a, following the year.

ANTILLEAN GREBE. Podilymbus podiceps antillarum Bangs.
ZARAMAGO, ZARAMAGULLON, SARAMAGULLON.

The Antillean grebe is known in the lagoons along the coast, but is retiring and
seldom seen. In some of the large lagoons it is resident, though migrants un-
doubtedly occur in the winter months. At the Laguna de Guanica these birds
were fairly common the last of May and very wild from much hunting. July 9
I saw two pairs on a large lagoon northeast of Manati that were evidently
mated. As I walked along the shore they swam out, two together, with the
male bowing and nodding, advancing and retreating before the female, cackling
loudly, kah kah kah. One pair was seen feeding offshore, diving regularly in
the shallow water.

They occur at times in very small sloughs where there is an abundant growth
of water plants to protect them, as in the charcos along the Bayamon River,
near Bayamon. Here they are seen only by chance, perhaps merely a ripple
in the water betraying their passage in the dense vegetation.

Food.—The stomach of a single bird collected at the Laguna de Manati July
9 contained fragments of 2 dragon flies and more than 25 small crawfish. Be-
Sides this there was the large mass of feathers always found in grebe stomachs,
in the present case forming more than 65 per cent of its contents. Bowdish
(1902-8, p. 357) found the remains of three crawfish in one stomach, together
with a small quantity of “mammal hair,’ which may have been the feathers
alluded to. From such meager data the grebe appears to be beneficial in Porto
Rico as elsewhere.

‘ WEST INDIAN GREBE. Colymbus dominicus dominicus (Linneus).
Tigua, SARAMAGULLON, ZARAMAGULLON.

The West Indian grebe is undoubtedly a rare resident in Porto Rico, for while
small grebes are reported from several localities none were seen. Gundlach
(1878, p. 8395) found them at the Laguna de Guanica. Stahl (1887, p. 453) evi-

_ dently did not consider them resident, as he says that they occur on.the ponds

9767°—Bull. 8326—16——2 17

a“

18 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in winter. Richmond (MS.) notes specimens in a collection of birds in San
Juan, taken by Stahl. In general this species is said to resemble the Antillean
grebe, and probably agrees with it in food habits.

[RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phaéthon ethereus Linneus.
GALLINAZA.

The red-billed tropic bird is uncertainly attributed to Porto Rico, though there is reason
to suppose that it occurs occasionally at least. Catesby (1743, p. 14, Appendix) said
that the birds bred in great numbers on some little islands at the east end of Porto Rico.
Taylor (1864, p. 172) remarks under this species that he frequently saw tropic-birds fiy-
ing about the harbor of San Juan, and all later authors appear to have quoted him. In
habits, food, and general appearance it is said to resemble the yellow-billed species. ]

YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phaéthon americanus Grant.
GALLINASSA, GAVIOTA, RABIJUNCO, CHIRRE DH ALTURA.

The yellow-billed tropic bird is fairly common around Porto Rico. On the
wing it is very strong and graceful, beating back and forth with long tail feath-
ers blowing in the wind. The call note is a harsh, gull-like kik.

July 5 three were seen near some rocky cliffs north of Quebradillas, where
they circled with rapidly beating wings about 40 feet above the water, swinging
far out to sea and then returning to the shore. Gundlach (1878, p. 419) found
them nesting on the rocky cliffs in this same locality. He secured fresh eggs
April 5, and describes the plumage of the young.

Food.—Of two stomachs of this species available for examination one was
entirely empty, though the bird was taken in the midforenoon. The other con-
tained a few remains of fish bones. Fish undoubtedly form the great share of
their food. The birds are too few to be of economic importance and the fish
eaten are of little value.

BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus occidentalis Linneus.
ALCATRAZ.

The brown pelican is common in the coastal region of Porto Rico, Vieques,
and Culebra, but is not known around Desecheo and Mona Islands, where shal-
low protected bays are lacking. The birds occur more commonly where there
is shoal water over reefs, or in bays where small fish are abundant. The nest-
ing season probably begins in February and extends to September (Gundlach,
1878, p. 416). Richmond (MS.) saw a young bird in a store window in San
Juan March 29, 1900. Specimens seen in April and May had the seal-brown
feathers of the nuptial plumage on the back of the neck. The birds are said to
breed in June on sandy keys off the Playa at Humacao, and on the low flat
islet Known as Caballo Blanco at the entrance of Port Mulas, Vieques Island.
On May 8 at Yabucoa a young bird three-quarters grown and well covered
with fine gray down was seen on a mud bank at the mouth of a river. It
showed no fear and was easily caught. When examined it objected by snapping
the bill loudly, but did not attempt to bite. Upon being released it merely swam
off a few feet and then remained quiet on the surface of the water.

Food.—The stomach and pouch of a specimen examined in the field contained
small fish only, and these apparently form the entire food. Unless about a fish
hatchery (and there are none at present in the islands) they are harmless and
worthy of protection. Though the fish taken are commonly used as food by man,
they are so abundant that the few eaten by the pelicans are negligible.
RED-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula piscator (Linneus).

PayARO BOBO.

Red-footed boobies were seen on Desecheo Island frem June 13 to 16 and
were much fewer in number than the common booby. Those on the island,

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 19

about 2,000 in all, were gathered in a close colony 200 feet above the water
among growths of West Indian birch (Hlaphrium simarubra) and other shrubs.
‘The adults in white plumage were very conspicuous and were much wilder
than either the young or the other species of booby. From S. leucogastra
they can readily be distinguished by their smaller size, even on the wing.
Second-year birds in a grayish plumage with white tail and undertail coverts
were seemingly in pairs and ready to nest. These birds were much lighter
on the wing than the larger species and rose with less effort. Their general
habits were the same as those of the larger bird. They have not been recorded
from Porto Rico before, though Bowdish (1902-8, p. 358) noted that there
may have been a second species of booby on Desecheo Island at the time of
his visits.

There is some uncertainty as to the breeding period of the two species of
boobies here. Native fishermen say that they nest in October or December,
while W. W. Brown, jr. (Cory 1892a, p. 229), found them nesting on Mona
in February. From the condition of plumage in some of the young birds,
they might have been hatched about that time, but others were evidently older.
It is probable that some of the birds nest irregularly throughout the year, as
the seasons are not sharply defined. In food and economy this species does
not differ essentially from the common booby.

BOOBY. Sula leucogastra (Boddaert).
PAJARO BOBO, BUGUERE.

A booby rookery is reported on some rocky islets between Culebrita Island
and Cayo Norte, the birds coming in the last of April and nesting through
May and June. Men are said to gather their eggs occasionally, but the birds
are probably not much disturbed. These birds are protected by law, as the
small islands surrounding Culebra.have been set aside as a national bird reser-
vation and as such are under the jurisdiction of the United States Department
of Agriculture.

Boobies are found at times along the coast of Vieques Island also, and on
Desecheo Island this species is the most abundant bird, a conservative estimate
made in June placing its numbers at from 8,000 to 10,000. These birds are said
by the fishermen to nest here from late June until October, and a few were
seen playing with sticks and straws as though contemplating nest building.
So-called sportsmen have visited Desecheo occasionally and shot these help-
less birds merely to see them drop. The veriest tyro can hardly miss one
even on the wing. They are unfit for food, and, having little fear, circle
repeatedly over those already killed.

Field examinations of stomachs of boobies showed only remains of fish,
though marine invertebrates doubtless are taken to some extent. Passing
their lives about these remote islands, the fish eaten by them are of little or
no economic importance, even though the birds are numerous. The colonies
here are now safe under Federal protection, and the birds should maintain
their numbers.

MAN-O°-WAR BIRD. Fregata magnificens Matthews.
RABIJUNCO, RABIHORCADO, TIJERILLA.

The rabijunco is well known to the fishermen around the coast line of Porto
Rico and its appearance is supposed by some to presage a storm. About
Vieques and Culebra Islands they were occasionally noted soaring high over
the ocean, usually well out from land. At Culebra, on April 11, one flew down
and picked up a dead tropic bird which I had shot, but dropped it after carry-
ing it a few feet. On another occasion in half a gale one flew over the town

20 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

of Playa Sardine in pursuit of a royal tern, calling kik kik kik sharply. The
tern zigzagged back and forth, but its pursuer followed without apparent effort,
although it finally gave up the chase. August 1 an adult female was seen in
San Juan Harbor, circling over the marina and custom-house, curiously watch-
ing men at work on the water front. Bowdish (1902-38, p. 359, and in MS.)
states that he found an abundant breeding colony on Mona Island.

On Desecheo Island from June 13 to 16 there were about 175 adults, all hav-
ing young three-quarters grown. The majority of the young, one in a nest,
were well feathered except about the head, although two were still entirely
covered by down. The eggs are said to be laid in October. Four breeding
colonies were located on the island, three of them within 400 feet of the
water, and one near the top of the highest hill. The young sat quietly on the
small platform nests with heads drawn in on the shoulders, but when I came
near they clattered their bills loudly, and, snapping and squealing, gave up
peace offerings in the form of unsavory masses of partly digested fish, while
they crowded back, taking care, however, not to leave the nest. When nests
were close together the young were continually fencing with their bills,
rattling them loudly, and flapping their wings. One that I kept at camp was
always ready to fight, but spent its time when undisturbed in sleeping or
resting quietly with head drawn in on the shoulders. The food of the birds
was entirely small fish, though the one at camp occasionally swallowed bits
of meat. Usually, however, even when placed far down in the throat, meat
was ejected by shaking the head violently sidewise.

Family cares did not seem to weigh heavily upon the adults. In the early
morning they were at the nests, but were always on the wing by full daylight,
and from then until evening passed most of their time circling in flocks over
the island. As nearly as could be ascertained, the young were fed morning
and evening and were seldom visited during the rest of the day. Sometimes
three flocks of adults were seen circling slowly around, the highest mere specks
in the sky. At dusk the birds returned with squealing calls, and there was
considerable uproar in the rookeries until all were settled. Usually the long
forked tail was held closed in flight, but occasionally was opened and shut
scissors fashion.

These birds may at times be predacious, as shown by the actions of the one
which attempted to carry off the tropic bird, and by their habit of pursuing
gulls, terns, and possibly boobies, for the food that they may disgorge. The
same remarks apply to their economic status as to that of the booby.

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nyctanassa violacea (Linnezus).
‘YaBoa, YABOA REAL, GUANABA.

The yellow-crowned night heron is apparently becoming rather rare in Porto
Rico. Gundlach (1878, p. 868) records it as common, and Bowdish (1902-3,
p. 359) also so speaks of it in the localities that he visited. He found it even
on Mona Island in August, 1901. It is a bird well known in the coast region,
and the fact that it is considered a game bird and prized for the table explains
its lessening numbers. The bird inhabits the mangroves and heavy forests cov-
ering the Swamps, and near Mameyes one was flushed from a coconut palm.
In the mangroves they sometimes slip away on foot and hide.

The single stomach examined was taken in the middle of the day and was
entirely empty. Bowdish (loc. cit.), however, found fiddler crabs, two eels, and
two crawfish in stomachs which he opened. From these meager data the food
of the birds would not seem to differ materially from that of other herons.
Detailed examination might show that they feed to some extent on the mole
cricket. For the present at least they should be removed from the list of game
birds and afforded protection, |

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. Dyk

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nycticorar nycticorar nevius (Boddaert).
YABOA, YABOA REAL.

The black-ecrowned night heron was apparently fairly common at one time in
Porto Rico, though there are no recent records of its occurrence. Sundevall
(1869, p. 602) received a single specimen from Hjalmarson, and Gundlach
(1874, p. 813) records it as in Hjalmarson’s collection in Arecibo. Gundlach
also (1878a, pp. 161, 187) notes specimens taken by himself and says (1878,
p. 362) that is was not rare. Stahl (1883, p. 150) had five specimens in his
eollection. Beyond this nothing is known of its occurrence.

LITTLE GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens virescens (Linneus).
MARTINETE.

A specimen of the little green heron in the United States National Museum,
taken at Fajardo, February 16, 1899, by A. B. Baker, has been identified by
Oberholser (1912a, p. 540) as this subspecies. This is the only record at
present for the West Indies.

CUBAN GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens cubanus Oberholser. (PLATES III and IV.)
MARTINETE, AGUAIZA-CAIMAN,.

The Cuban green heron is one of the commonest birds in Porto Rico and is
distributed all through the coastal plain. On the northwest coast at Quebra-
dillas and along the south coast in the dry regions they frequent the borders of
streams mainly, though found occasionally in dry upland pastures (Quebra-
dillas). The irrigated lands of the south coast are peculiarly adapted to their
needs, and along ditches and channels in the fields they feed in abundance.
In the lagoon region their centers of distribution were in the mangroves and
swamps, and from these they spread into the surrounding cultivated lands.
At Yabucoa they fairly swarmed in such localities and did an incalculable
amount of good. After the breeding season they seem to wander inland. On
Vieques they were tolerably common about the lagoons, but only a few were
seen on Culebra. May 8, at Yabucoa, the number seen was estimated at be-
tween 1,500 and 2,000, all breeding adults.

Clumps of bamboos along streams were favorite perches. To these growths
numbers retired to escape the burning heat of the midday sun, and in many
localities they were used as nesting sites. Most of these birds, however, still
nest in the mangroves and swampy growths bordering lagoons and lowland
streams.

The breeding season extends from the first of February to the end of May
and the young are well grown by July 1. The nests are simple structures of
sticks. One examined May 8 near Yabucoa contained three fresh eggs of a pale
greenish color marked with lime deposits on the shell.

Green herons are nearly always tame, unsuspicious birds, and seldom fly
until closely approached, except in regions where they are much hunted. When
they do flush, they rise with a series of squawking notes and before going far
light on the ground again, on a fence post, or the limb of a tree. Sometimes
they endeavor to escape notice by drawing the body up, pointing the bill straight
in the air and presenting the striped breast to the observer. In feeding they
follow slowly along the borders of marshes and lagoons, never wading in deeper
water, as do the larger long-legged herons, or follow along the rows in the eulti-
vated cane fields. Open pastures are favorite localities also, and here they
work through the short grass, preferring low damp localities, but not neglecting
those high and dry. Unless very hungry they are rather sluggish, and fre-
quently spend an hour or more standing motionless with the neck drawn in.

The ordinary note is a harsh squawk, though frequently after alighting
they give a clucking note, while a note of anger may be represented by kek

22 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

kek chuck chuck. A gunshot along a stream where they are common always
ealls forth a series of protesting squawks from birds hidden in clumps of bam-
boos and at the edge of the water. At the end of the breeding season, after
the first of July, the young birds were abundant and were continually harried
and pursued by the adults, which flew after them in the air or ran at them on
the ground with open mouths, so that only in the bushes were they safe.

Where slopes along the streams are steep, as at Comerio, the birds remain
close to the water. In more level localities they wander a great deal.

Food.—Fifty-one stomachs, collected from December to August, were avail-
able in studying-the food of this bird. In these animal matter made up 99.18
per cent and vegetable 0.82 per cent. Orthoptera and crustacea form a large
part of the animal food, and the vegetable matter is merely rubbish.

Animal food.—The destructive mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus), so
well known in Porto Rico, forms 54.33 per cent of the total food of the period.
No other bird of the Porto Rican avifauna eats them to such a large extent.
They appear in 31 of the stomachs examined and in some make up the entire
content. Three stomachs taken in January and two in August contain little
else, while the smallest proportion, 13 per cent, occurs in the month of June.
Both adults and nymphs were eaten, and one stomach contained 9 of the insects,
while another had 11 pairs of jaws in it. Other orthopteran remains, amount-
ing to 5.92 per cent, were found in 12 birds, and in 8 the remains were those
of Locustide. One stomach contained a large grasshopper identified as Neo-
conocephalus macropterus, another a locust (Plectrotettix gregarius), and
another a cricket (Gryllus assimilis). Dragon-fly larve, with the abdomen of
one adult and several damsel flies, were found in 12 stomachs and figure as
3.84 per cent of the food. Insects of other orders formed but 6.73 per cent.
One stomach contained a predacious diving beetle (Acilius circumscriptus),
another a click beetle (Drasterius sp.), a third a small lamellicorn (Atenius
gracilis), while a water scavenger beetle (Tropisternus collaris) and larvez of
others occurred five times. Aquatic bugs were found in nine cases, water
bugs and back swimmers being best represented, while one water strider (Gerris
marginata) was identified. Moth remains and a caterpillar represent the
Lepidoptera, and one bird had eaten an ant. Other insect remains comprised
Neuroptera in three stomachs and Diptera in three others.

Although fish remains appeared in 16 cases, they form only 9.52 per cent of
the food. Small killifishes and gobies (Dormitator sp.) were found, all of small
size. Crustacea had been eaten by 18 of the birds, small crabs in two stomachs
and crawfish (Macrobrachium olfersii, Xiphocaris elongata, and others) in the
remainder, forming in all 14.71 per cent. Five stomachs contained lizards of
the genus Anolis, constituting but 1.15 per cent of the food. One was specifi-
eally identified as Anolis pulchellus. Three stomachs contained bones of the
little tropical frogs Leptodactylus albilabris, known universally in Porto Rico
as ranas, and these formed 0.61 per cent. Miscellaneous animal matter, con-
sisting of spiders, a copepod, a marine annelid, and aquatic worms, amounted
to 2.387 per cent for the nine months represented.

Vegetable food.—Vegetable matter, almost entirely accidental, was found in
11 stomachs. A few seeds of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and two seeds not
identified had been eaten by one bird, but the large part of the vegetable matter
consisted of bits of grass and vegetable fiber. Only one immature bird had
eaten a large amount of vegetable matter.

Owing to its unsuspicious nature and the ease with which it can be killed,
the green heron suffers more than any other heron at the hands of “ sportsmen,”
but the bird is of the greatest economic importance and one that should be
protected at all times. The small portion of rather unsavory meat on its body

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. Je

is insufficient to warrant the hunting of a bird which from the standpoint of
the agriculturist is one of the most important species on the island. It should
be protected, especially at nesting time, and encouraged by planting bamboos as
permanent shelters along streams and drainage ditches. This species should
hold its own and even increase largely, because of its adaptability to new con-
ditions. The south coast especially, with the present area under irrigation
and large projects under way, is very favorable to the green heron, and this
bird is one of the few economic species especially adapted to that region.

LITTLE BLUE HERON. Florida cerulea cerulescens (Latham).
GARZA, GARZA AZUL,

The little blue heron, rather evenly distributed around the coasts of Porto
Rico and absent or rare only where there are no marshy grounds or lagoon
areas, was perhaps more abundant near Mameyes, Yabucoa, and Guanica than
elsewhere. On Vieques it was the most common heron, and a few were seen
on Culebra Island.

The birds inhabited lagoons, mangrove swamps, and marshy borders of rivers
and were common in wet lowland cane fields. They often fed inland along the
rivers and in the cane fields 3 or 4 miles from the coast. When disturbed, the
ordinary note of the bird is a harsh kar-r-rk. The flight is strong and direct
and in a high wind rather graceful. Nests which the birds had apparently just
built were seen near Mameyes as early as February 9, while near Yabucoa a
large colony had eggs the first of May. The nests were loosely constructed of
twigs and were situated from 10 to 30 feet above the ground in mangroves
and other trees in the swamps. The largest colony seen, near Yabucoa, con-
tained over 150 pairs. In this rookery the birds left the nests when disturbed
and circled overhead, some perching on dead limbs, craning their necks, and
creating great bustle and general confusion. A mongoose, seen rather methodi-
cally searching the open ground under the trees, would without doubt have dis-
posed of any fallen young. When breeding, the birds passed back and forth
morning and afternoon to feeding grounds in the cane fields, many of them going
several miles inland. When flushed in the cane fields, they returned to the
coast region and did not light in the bamboos or other trees, to return to the
ground later, as the green herons do. Sometimes after circling several times
high in the air they dropped back a distance away to feed. Flocks of 15 or 20
sometimes waded out in shallow bays at low tide, searching for food, and
when the tide came in retired to the mangroves.

After the breeding season little blue herons appear to spread out more and
wander inland, occasionally as far as the base of the foothills, so that in
August they were seen on the Guanajibos River below San German. Some
birds go even farther up along the streams. On Vieques Island they flew
inland with regularity to feed in the dry pastures. Usually three or four
came together soaring and sailing and then circled slowly to the ground, where
they walked about looking for food. On Culebra Island one was found only
occasionally in the mangroves.

Many birds in white and in pied plumage were seen, and many of those taken
in February were molting.

When undisturbed, as near Mameyes on the northeast coast, they become
very tame. When a boat passed through the channels, the herons flew out con-
tinually from the mangroves with a rush of wings and harsh calls, alarming
all other denizens of the swamps.

Food.—Fifteen stomachs of the little blue heron taken in February, March,
May, June, and August were found to contain animal matter to the extent of
97.22 per cent, leaving 2.78 per cent for vegetable content. Miscellaneous

24 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

insects, lizards, and crustaceans form the bulk of the animal food, while the
vegetable matter is accidental rubbish secured with other food.

Animal food.—Mole crickets (Scapteriscus didactylus) make 7.23 per cent
of the total and were found in six stomachs. In one bird taken at Yabucoa
I counted 35 jaws, and in each of two others were found two entire adults.
Other insects formed 31.51 per cent, so that nearly two-fifths of the food of
this bird is taken from the great class Insecta, a surprising amount for a bird
of such aquatic habit. Nymphs of grasshoppers and locusts were found in
five stomachs and caterpillars in four. Water bugs and water striders figure
in three instances and dragon-fly larvee of the suborder Anisoptera twice. Water
scavenger beetles occur five times and several were identified (Hydrophilus sp.,
Stethoxrus ater, Tropisternus nimbatus, and Berosus sp.). May beetles (Lach-
nosterna sp.) had been eaten by two birds and figure as 1 per cent of the food,
while another scarabzid beetle was found in one instance. Only one insect
belonging to the order Hymenoptera was found. Miscellaneous animal matter,
composed of two frogs (Leptodactylus albilabris), one spider (Tetragnatha
antillana), and some indeterminate material, forms 0.59 per cent.

Crustaceans were present in 8 of the 15 stomachs examined and form 27.4
per cent of the contents. Crabs of four species (Uca pugnax rapax, Aratus
pisonii, Sesarma (Holometopus) roberti, and Goniopsis cruentata) were iden-
tified in five individuals. Two species of shrimps (Macrobrachium acanthurus,
and M. olfersii) were noted four times. Lizards form 29.44 per cent, and are
probably the food sought when the birds visit the inland pastures. Twenty-
one small lizards (Anolis sp.) were found in one stomach, together with ground-
up remains of several more. Another contained three lizards of larger size
(Anolis pulchellus), and four the ameiva (Ameiva erul). <A small goby was
found in one stomach.

Vegetable food.—The vegetable food, 2.78 per cent, may be considered entirely
as rubbish, though it included seeds of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and one
other species. The great portion, however, was merely taken in with other food
and in no case forms an appreciable bulk of the stomach contents.*

The practice in many localities of treating these herons as game birds is to
be deplored, as they are highly beneficial. At Yabucoa it was common for
parties to hunt “ garzas,” and, although the little green heron suffered too, the
blue heron, being larger, was more prized for the table. Their breeding grounds
everywhere are being encroached upon by the charcoal burners, who are cutting
the mangroves, and unless measures favorable to these herons are adopted a
bird of considerable economic importance will be lost to the island. Men were
seen busily engaged in cutting trees near the largest colony, and in a short time
would have reached the rookery itself. By making reserves of some of the
places occupied by the herons and by forbidding their hunting at all times
their numbers should materially increase. Their flesh is inferior at best, and
as for “sport,” such a term can hardly be used in connection with the pursuit
of large straight-flying birds like these, even though much hunting has made
them rather wary.

The harm done by the birds in the destruction of lizards is greatly out-
weighed by good done in other directions, and lizards, except in case of the
ameiva, do not seem to be decreasing in numbers. The value of this heron to
the agriculturist lies in its destruction of the mole ericket and other injurious
insects.

LOUISIANA HERON. Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis (Gosse).
GARZA, GARZA DE CUELLO ROJO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 356) found the Louisiana heron only on the southwest
coast at Boqueron, where it was common. In the present work the species was

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE III.

Abu aes parley

Ss

B2128-20

CUBAN GREEN HERON, OR MARTINETE (BUTORIDES VIRESCENS CUBANUS).

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE IV.

B602M

STOMACH CONTENTS OF A CUBAN GREEN HERON, OR MARTINETE (BUTORIDES
VIRESCENS CUBANUS.)

The martinete ranks first among the bird enemies of the mole cricket, or changa (Scapteriscus
didactylus). Sixteem entire changas and fragments of others were found in one stomach.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 25

seen in the lagoon region between Salinas and Guayama, where on May 3
several were wading in shallow bays and pools. There are no other definite
localities recorded for it on the island. The single bird examined had eaten
16 small fish from 1 to 2 inches long, among which was 1 goby, the others being
killifishes. These are all food fishes, but not of sufficient value to condemn the
bird, as it is too rare here to do any appreciable damage.

SNOWY EGRET, SNOWY HERON. Lgretta candidissima candidissima (Gmelin).
GaRzA, GARZA BLANCA.

The snowy egret is resident in Porto Rico, being distributed throughout the
lagoons of the coastal region and about the mouths of the rivers, usually rang-
ing 3 miles or more inland. After the breeding season the birds appear to
wander, as on August 8 one was seen flying up the Rio Vivi at Utuado. While
still fairly common, especially in the large, more inaccessible swampy regions,
the egret has suffered much at the hands of plume hunters, and I was told
that as late as 1910 plumes had been offered for sale in Caguas.

March 16 about a dozen were seen on Pifero Island, off Fajardo, where they
are said to breed. At Salinas the birds were said to be nesting on low mangrove-
covered islands lying offshore, and parties of three and four were seen flying
back and forth between these islands and the mainland, frequently 200 feet in
the air.

In the lagoons snowy herons joined other larger species at low tide, wading
in shallows over the reefs in the bays, or at the borders of the lagoons, in
water nearly up to their bodies. Where they are much hunted these birds
are very wary and, seeming to appreciate that their white color renders them
conspicuous, are the first among the herons to take alarm. When they leave
they usually frighten the others. They may readily be distinguished from white
immature specimens of Florida c. cwrulescens, as they have the tarsus black
and the soles of the feet yellow, while in the little blue heron the tarsus is
greenish. I*requently the snowy egret feeds in lowland cane fields, especially
when these are wet or partly flooded. Often in flocks of three or four they feed
in the dry upland pastures.

Food.—TIwo stomachs were available for examination, both of birds which
had been feeding in mangrove swamps. The main content of these is animal
matter, vegetable remains occurring only as rubbish secured with other food
and amounting to but 1 per cent. One bird taken near Rio Piedras had eaten
two dragon-fly nymphs, a small crab, a lizard, and a small frog. The stomach
of the other, secured near Mameyes, was nearly filled with bones of small
gobies, the remainder of the animal food consisting of fragments of flies of the
family Dolichopodide and bits of a grasshopper. In their excursions to drier
fields the birds must secure other insects. They feed to a large extent upon
fish, but the fishes taken are of no great importance and the birds are not
abundant enough to become noxious. They have been found worthy of protec-
tion-in the United States, and the same course should be followed in Porto
Rico in hope that they will increase in numbers, when they may assist in hold-
ing in check the destructive mole cricket.

EGRET. JHerodias egretta (Gmelin).
GARZON BLANCO, GARZA REAL,

A few of the large egrets are still found in the lagoons of the coastal region
of Porto Rico, but they are nowhere common. On February 14, while I was
crossing Comezon Cove near Mameyes, a fine egret flew out from a nest in an
isolated clump of mangroves. The nest was merely a loose platform of sticks
about 20 feet from the water and contained one young bird and two addled

26 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

eggs. On Pinero Island, near Fajardo, there was a colony of about 15 or 20,
and these were said to breed there every year.

The birds usually are seen at low tide wading in the shallow lagoons in
water well up to their bodies, where they work slowly along, looking for food;
or are seen flying, two or three together, above the surface of the water. They
are nearly always shy and hard to approach. Formerly much hunted for their
plumes, they are now so few that the work does not pay, and they are molested
only by occasional hunters.

Food.—The single stomach available for examination contained 4 per cent of
vegetable rubbish taken as extraneous matter with the animal food. Remains
of one mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus) and seven entire grasshoppers,
with fragments of many more, were found, as well as a moth and three large
dragon flies. A small goby and seven entire frogs (Leptodactylus albilabris).
with fragments of others, made up 69 per cent of the contents. Orthoptera
amounted to 15 per cent, a surprising fact and one that should be given due
weight in considering the status of this species. The egret should be accorded
the fullest protection or it will disappear entirely from the avifauna of the
island. For its beauty and its destruction of injurious insects it is entitled to
preservation.

WEST INDIAN GREAT BLUE HERON. Ardea herodias adora Oberholser.
GARZON CENICIENTO, GARZON CENIZO,

The great blue heron is tolerably common in suitable localities in the coastal
region, but apparently is merely a winter visitant. Gundlach (1878, p. 352)
remarks on its nesting in the island in November and January, but gives no
definite localities. It may be that the birds occasionally nest here. but the
larger part of those found occur only in winter, and the summer stragglers may
be nonbreeders. Only two were noted—at Guanica, May 26—though many
favorable localities were visited. The few birds seen were shy, and it was dif-
ficult to approach them, as they have been hunted a great deal. Near Mameyes
they passed much of the day in the more open portions of the mangrove swamps,
where fiddler crabs’ (Uca sp.) were abundant, and they seemed to feed on them.
At low tide they flew out to the shallow bays, beyond gunshot, to feed over the
reefs, and kept a sharp lookout for intruders. Here they secured small fish
and probably crabs. In some localities hunters prize this bird for the table,
more because of its large size than its flavor. Although not known to be di-
rectly beneficial to agriculture in Porto Rico, it is worthy of protection, as it is
not harmful under present conditions.

[GREAT WHITE HERON. Ardea occidentalis Audubon.
GARZON BLANCO.

No actual specimens of the great white heron are recorded, though at one time it may
have been found in Porto Rico at least occasionally. Gundlach (1878, p. 354) says that
it was reported from various localities, and states that a white heron seen at the border
of the Laguna de Guanica (Nov., 1873) was so large that it could have been no other
species. Don Tomas Blanco also knew of it near San Juan. Stahl (1883, p. 64) lists it
without comment, and later records in literature appear to follow these.]

LEAST BITTERN. Izobrychus erilis exilis (Gmelin).
MARTINETE CHICO, MARTINETE.

The least bittern is a resident species at present found only in a few locali-
~ ties along the coast. One was seen December 22 near Rio Piedras and at the
Laguna de Guanica May 26 they were fairly common. Gundlach (1878a, p.
161) found them at Mayagiiez, Arecibo, and along the Rio Toa at Dorado.
One was taken at Porto Real (near Cabo Rojo) January 27, 1899, by Dr. J. D.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 97

| Milligan, of the U. S. S. Pish Hawk. At the Laguna de Guanica they are un-
doubtedly resident, as there are large areas of grassy marshes and many
open stretches filled with growths of the water plants they prefer. Here the
birds were rather wild and hard to approach, as they are molested a great
deal by egg hunters. They are found in the grass where the water is from
1 to 2 feet deep-and flush with dangling feet and outstretched neck. Almost
at once the feet are drawn up, the head is doubled back onto the shoulders,
and the birds fly off just above the vegetation, to drop back again when out of
danger. When undisturbed, they sit quietly in the reeds or with long strides
clamber rather awkwardly through them, grasping the stems in their slender
toes. Gundlach (1878, p. 350) found a nest containing three eggs at Arecibo
May 7. ‘The bird seen at Rio Piedras was in a mangrove swamp, but as that
is rather an unusual locality for them this individual may have been a migrant.

Food.—Three stomachs from the Laguna de Guanica contained nothing but
animal matter. Remains of small fish in all the stomachs made up the large
share of their contents (84.34 per cent). Crustacean remains in one formed
13.383 per cent, and a bit of an amphibian in one stomach figures as 0.33 per
cent. Insect matter amounting to 2 per cent in two stomachs was made up
entirely of fragments of aquatic Hemiptera. Quantities of feathers were found
in all three stomachs, but they undoubtedly came from the bird itself. The
bird thus seems to be about neutral from an economic standpoint. Jn its food
habits this bittern can not be regarded as injurious, as little or no use is made
of the small fresh-water lagoon fish, while the crustaceans taken may be con-
sidered as a point in its favor. The birds are too retiring to attract much
attention, but should be placed in the protected class.

BITTERN. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu).
YABOA. "

Gundlach (1878a, p. 161) secured a bittern in November, 1873, at the Laguna
de Guanica and also records one (1874, p. 313) in the collection of Blanco at
San Juan. Stahl had none in his collection, and as no other specimens are
on record the species must be regarded as a casual migrant-to the island.

[GLOSSY IBIS. Plegadis autumnalis (Linneus).
Coco, Coco OscuRO.

The glossy ibis is included here, as Gundlach (1878, p. 366) mentions a drawing of it
in the:album of Dr. Bello, of Mayagiiez. Later records by Gundlach and others are all
apparently based upon this, so that it can be given only as a hypothetical species. ]

WHITE IBIS. Guara alba (Linneus).
Coco BLANCO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 364) did not find the white ibis on the island, but says
that it was reported from the northeastern portion. Stahl (1883, p. 64) listed it
without comment, but later (1887, p. 452) mentions it as a solitary species
seldom found. Richmond (MS.) notes a specimen from Porto Rico in the
Stahl collection in San Juan, and this is all that is known regarding its occur-
rence here. Formerly it may have been a resident species, but it is no longer
found.

ELAMINGO. Phenicopterus ruber Linneus.
FLAMENCO.

The flamingo occurred formerly on Porto Rico and Culebra at least, and at
an early date was fairly common. Now it is said to be found occasionally in
the lagoons at Salinas and Aguirre, while stragglers are seen along the coast
from Guayama to Ponce. In the extreme southwestern corner of the island

28 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

about El Boqueron and in the lagoons below it, the birds are also reported.
None were seen in the course of the present work. Gundlach (1878, p. 398)
found them at El Boqueron and on the south coast, and remarks that they
are said to be common on the east coast and on the off-lying islands. Ledru
(1810, p. 209) mentions them from the River Loisa.

MASKED DUCK. Nomonyz dominicus (Linneus).
Pato CHORIZO, PATO DOMINICA.

The masked duck is probably a rare resident in Porto Rico, though there
are no recent records for it. Gundlach (1878a, p. 162) took it at the Laguna
de Guanica and saw it in the collection of Hjalmarson at Arecibo (reported by
Sundevall 1869, p. 603) and in that of Blanco in San Juan. Stahl (1883, p.
65) records one specimen in his cabinet as taken in Porto Rico.

RUDDY DUCK. Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmelin).
Pato CHORIZO.

Ruddy ducks appear to be regular migrants to Porto Rico, though I did not
see any. Gundlach (1878, p. 407) remarks that he found them “ hatching ”
at the Laguna de Guanica in November, 1873, but says nothing more regarding
their breeding. At the time of my visit in May, 1912, the Bahama pintail
(Pecilonetta bahamensis) wasS common and the only duck nesting there.
Gundlach (loc. cit., 403) did not record the Bahama pintail nearer than
Boqueron and it is possible that he may have attributed nests or young seen
at Guanica to the wrong bird. Stahl (1887, p. 458) also remarks that the
ruddy duck breeds in Porto Rico, but may have been quoting Gundlach’s
record. More definite information is necessary in order to recognize the ruddy
duck as a breeding species.

BUFFLE-HEAD. Charitonetta albeola (Linnzus).
Pato PINTO. :

A specimen of the buffle-head was found by Richmond (MS.) in Stahl’s col-
lection of birds, which he examined in San Juan. ‘This is the only record for
the island, and the bird must be considered an accidental visitor there. The
only other West Indian record is of a bird found in the market in Habana,
Cuba (Cooke, 1906, p. 52).

RING-NECKED DUCK. Marila collaris (Donovan).
PATO DEL MEDIO, PATO SILVESTRE.

The only certain records for the ring-necked duck in Porto Rico are those
of Gundlach (1878, p. 406), who saw a specimen taken in winter near San
Juan by Blanco, and (1878a, p. 162) also mentions one taken by himself.
Stahl (1883, p. 65) includes it in his list without comment.

LESSER SCAUP DUCK. WMarila affinis (Eyton).
PATO DEL MEDIO, PATO SILVESTRE, Pato Morisco.

The lesser scaup duck is a winter resident and is probably common. Many
ducks are said to occur on the lagoons of Porto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra
during the wintertime, and it is probable that they are largely this species.
Gundlach (1878, p. 405) found them common at Boqueron and the Laguna de
Guanica, and Stahl (1883, p. 154) had specimens in his collection taken prob-
ably near San Juan. The only place at which this species was certainly identi-
fied was at the Laguna de Guanica, where a crippled bird was taken May 26.
A flock of about a dozen seen in the open water on the same date probably
were of the same species. In April ducks apparently of this species were on a
lagoon known as Flamenco on Culebra Island.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 29

Food.—The stomach of the single bird examined contained fragments of a
‘water boatman (Coriza sp.), two water scavenger beetles and the larva of
another, bits of an undetermined beetle, and many fragments of dragon-fly
larve, the last item forming 69 per cent of the contents. Six grass seeds
(Panicum sp.) and bits of two other seeds formed vegetable matter to the
amount of 4 per cent.

A close season for all ducks should be established similar to that recom-
mended for the Bahama pintail.

[PINTAIL. Dafila acute (Linneus).
PATO PESCUEZILARGO, PATO SILVESTRE.

Gundlach (1878, p. 402) says that the pintail is a winter visitant and that one was
taken near Arecibo by a friend of his but that he did not see the bird himself. There is
no certain record. ] ;

BAHAMA PINTAIL, BAHAMA DUCK. Pecilonetta bahamensis (Linneus).
PaTO DE LA ORILLA, PATO CRIOLLO, PATO DE FLORIDA.

The Bahama pintail was noted on Culebra Island and at the Laguna de
Guanica, but undoubtedly occurs in other favorable localities, especially in the
winter season. Gundlach (1878, p. 403) found them at Boqueron and San
Juan.

May 26 the birds were common at the Laguna de Guanica, where they would
flush singly or in pairs from a growth of water plants covering a large area of
the lagoon and, after circling over the open water, return to the same cover.
Once in the short grass of a marsh a female flew out, but almost immediately
fell back as though with a broken wing, repeating the performance several
times. At the same time the low peep peep of young birds was heard and
two about 5 days old were caught. A third promptly dived and apparently
never came up, while the others rapidly scattered to safety through the grass.
The down of these little birds was not at all soft, but had a peculiar stiff
bristly feeling.

Food.—Stomachs of eight adults and two downy young which were collected
were examined by W. L. McAtee, of the Biological Survey. The adults had
eaten nothing but vegetable matter. Seeds of ditch grass (Ruppia maritima)
were found in every stomach and formed 16.25 per cent of the total bulk, the
largest amounts being 180 and 125 seeds, respectively. Foliage and antheridia
of alge (Chara sp.) made up 838.75 per cent and formed the great bulk in
all the stomachs. The two downy young had eaten animal matter (amount-
ing to 3.5 per cent), composed of remains of a water boatman (Corixa sp.),
bits of a water creeper (Pelocoris sp.), and young snails. Grass seeds, foxtail
grass (Chetochloa sp.), barnyard grass (Hchinochloa crus-galli), and a species
of guinea grass (Panicum sp.) formed 94 per cent of the food of these duck-
lings and a few other seeds 2.5 per cent.

These birds were much disturbed by egg hunters who were continually
searching the marshes, and many were shot by gunners during the breeding
season. They should be free from molestation from March 1 to December 1
at least. In a few years their range will be even more restricted than at
present, because of the draining and clearing of swamps and marshes, and un-
less protected they will disappear entirely.

SHOVELER. Spatula clypeata (Linneus).
Pato INGLES, PaTO CUCHARETA,

The shoveler is, from all accounts, a tolerably common winter visitor in
Porto Rico. Gundlach (1878, p. 404) says that it is found from fall until

30 BULLETIN 326, U. S: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

April, and there are several specimens on record. (Sundevall, 1869, p. 603:
Stahl, 1883, p. 153.)

BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Querquedula discors (Linnzus).
PATO DE LA FLORIDA.

According to all reports this is a common winter visitant, being the most
familiarly known duck, though I saw none. Gundlach (1878, p. 404) writes
that it is abundant, arriving in September. There are also numerous records
of specimens. It is to be looked for in fresh-water marshes and charcos as
well: as in larger lagoons.

BALDPATE. Mareca americana (Gmelin).
Pato LABLANCO.

The baldpate is a rare winter visitant in Porto Rico, being reported as
occasional by duck hunters. Sundevall (1869, p. 603) records a young male
sent him by Hjalmarson, and Gundlach (1878a, p. 162) secured a specimen, but
assigns no definite locality.

BLACK-BELLIED TREE DUCK. Dendrocygna autumnalis (Linneus).
YAGUAZA, CHIRIRIA.

The tree duck is well known to all Porto Rieans, but apparently has become
very rare, as I did not see one. Taylor (1864, p. 172) found them abundant,
and later authors record them as common, but they apparently represent a van-
ishing species. The species still exists, without doubt, in small numbers and
needs absolute protection for a period of years if it is to be preserved as a
game bird. The clearing and draining of many of the swamps has done much
toward reducing its numbers by depriving it of cover. Gundlach (1878, p. 400)
says that the birds feed at twilight, spending the day sleeping or under cover,
and that they lay from 12 to 14 eggs. Sundevall (1869, p. 603) records them as
nesting commonly in the island.

[GREATER SNOW GOOSE. Chen hyperboreus nivalis Cisrk: BOSD:
GANSO BLANCO, GUANANA.

It is said that white geese are occasionally found in fall on the lagoons at Manati and
that they are sometimes killed. Thus they may be rare winter visitants. Gundlach
(1878a, p. 190) heard of one captured at Isabela, while Stahl (1883, p. 65) merely re-
marks that they are rare. No authentic specimens are on record, so that the bird is in-
cluded here as a hypothetical species. ]

TURKEY VULTURE. Cathartes aura aura (Linneus).
AURA, AURA TINOSA.

In the dry limestone hills above Guanica the turkey vulture was fairly com-
mon. It appeared to range casually from Afiasco to Yauco, keeping near the
coast, though once reported from the summit of the Mata Platano above
Adjuntas. The species is said to have been introduced from Cuba into the
southwestern part of the island by the Spanish Government (some say, incor-
rectly, by the Guanica Centrale), the exact date not being known. An old man
near Yauco who had known them since boyhood stated that their numbers had
neither increased nor decreased in that time. On one occasion 16 were counted
circling over a dead bird, and as in such a small area all the birds present
would be attracted by the circling of a flock their total number was certainly
less than 25. There is no apparent reason for their not having increased and
spread at least the entire length of the dry south coast, as the conditions there
are apparently as favorable as in this region. Their beneficial habits are well
known to the country people, so that they are not molested. Probably their
only enemy is the mongoose.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 81

Gundlach (1874, p. 307) says emphatically that the turkey vulture was not
found in Porto Rico, so that we may consider it as introduced since his travels
on the island, as he visited the region about Guanica in November, 1873. A. B.
Baker (MS.) saw several during the latter part of January, 1899.

PORTO RICAN SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius loquacula Riley.
FALCON.

Dry areas with a rather open brush growth, as on the south coast of Porto
Rico, were apparently very favorable to the Porto Rican sparrow hawk, and
in some of these localities the birds were almost abundant. On Porto Rico a
few were found scattered through the coconut groves along the coast, but they

were more common in the foothills, and inland on the north coast few were

seen below 1,000 feet elevation. They are also common on Vieques and Culebra.
Few were found in the cane fields, as commanding perches from which to watch
for food were lacking, but they were common about openings in the coffee plan-
tations.

Sparrow hawks began to breed about April 1 and were nesting through May .
and June. Many young birds under their parents’ care were found during
July and August, when they remained quiet in perches shaded from the glare
of the sun, chiefly in the coffee plantations. When abandoned by the adults,
the young birds were very noisy and restless, giving voice to their displeasure
continually. The nests were in cavities in palms and other trees. Many adults
taken during the breeding season had the tips of the rectrices much abraded
from wear in the nesting cavity or from bracing on the tree trunks before the
entrance. A female taken near Salinas, April 30, contained an egg almost
developed. Fragments of the shell were whitish with scattered cinnamon spots,
but whether or not all of the color had been deposited could not be determined.
Three young were the greatest number observed in one party, though Gundlach
(1878, p. 163) says that from three to five eggs are laid. The birds uttered a
sharp killy killy killy, and during the early part of the nesting season especially
were very noisy. On Culebra Island one was seen pursuing a red-tailed hawk
and screaming shrilly.

From field observations these little hawks fed largely on lizards picked up
easily from the ground or captured on fence posts, stumps, or tree trunks. One
taken at the old naval encampment on Culebra Island had eaten a common
house mouse. Sparrow hawks were seen on several occasions in pursuit of wood-
peckers, doves, or yellow-shouldered blackbirds, but none were observed eating
or holding birds that were certainly identified as such. A. B. Baker (MS.) saw
one strike an ani in a bush and bear it to the ground. Ground doves were the
only birds that showed great fear of them. Near Quebradillas on July 3 a spar-
row hawk swung down under an overhanging ledge with a low chattering call
and examined several cliff swallows’ nests, but they were apparently empty.

Food.—Forty-eight stomachs of the sparrow hawk were examined, taken from
January to August, inclusive. Animal food made up 99.68 per cent, and vege-
table 0.32 per cent. The vegetable matter, composed entirely of rubbish, was
found in three stomachs and need not be considered, as*it was not actually
taken as food.

Mole crickets (Scapteriscus didactylus) were found in 17 stomachs and made
up 28.69 per cent of the total food. One bird had eaten four of these destructive
insects, another three, and several had taken two. They were found in every
month represented, except August, and occurred constantly in a large series
collected in March and April. Other Orthoptera formed 20.86 per cent and were
composed mainly of locusts (Acridide) with a good many katydids (Locustids).

32 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Remains of small birds in two stomachs amounted to 1.88 per cent. One stom-
ach contained portions of a Porto Rican grosbeak (Lowigilla portoricensis) and
another a small black feather only; there is evidently some basis for the fear
shown these hawks. House mice (J/us musculus) were found in eight stomachs
and formed 5.59 per cent. They were noted in stomachs taken in March, April,
and May only. The only real criticism of this small hawk is its large consump-
_tion of lizards, amounting to 40.4 per cent of its entire food. One ameiva
(Ameiva exul) was taken, but the great mass was made up of the ever-abundant
anolis, of which four species were definitely identified (Anolis cristatellus, A.
gundlachi, A. krugi, and A. pulchellus). Unless of small size, they were usually
pulled in two before being swallowed. Miscellaneous animal matter composed
largely of spiders amounted to 2.26 per cent.

Under present conditions the sparrow hawk must be considered a valuable
species, as it feeds so largely on the changa or mole cricket. Although many
lizards, whose food is entirely insects, are taken, their numbers are so great
that no impression is made upon them.

The number’ of mice eaten illustrates to what extent these rodents have over-
run the island. The sparrow hawk is not large enough to attack rats, except,
perhaps, young animals. To encourage the birds about cane fields occasional
high perches from which they can watch for prey should be provided along the
fences. Their numbers should increase in the lowland region, as their natural
food is abundant and easily obtained.

PIGEON HAWK. Falco columbarius columbarius Linnzus.
GAVILAN.

The pigeon hawk is a rare winter visitant to Porto Rico. Sundevall (1869,
p. 601) received a single specimen from Hjalmarson, of Arecibo. Gundlach
(1878, p. 162) saw one at the Laguna de Guanica and secured a female at Que-
bradillas. Stahl (1883, p. 186) had specimens in his collection, and Richmond
(MS.) notes that a small hawk seen at the Hacienda Catalina, in March, 1900,
may have been of this species. None were seen by me. It is fortunate that this
little falcon is not more common, as it is one of the few species found that are
injurious, its food being made up largely of small birds.

DUCK HAWK. Falco peregrinus anatum Bonaparte.
GABILAN, HALCON DE PATOS.

Gundlach (1878, p. 161) notes seeing a duck hawk repeatedly at the Laguna
de Guanica in November, 1873, where it was feeding on ducks and coots.
Stahl (1883, pp. 58, 186) found this species about the lagoons and had a female
from Porto Rico in his collection. It is apparently a rare winter visitant, fol-
lowing the migrating water birds, and while not abundant enough to be of much
damage should not be protected. Its food is almost entirely birds of various
species.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK. Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vieillot).
GUARAGUOU DH SABANA,

The broad-winged hawk was formerly a common resident, mainly in the
interior, according to Gundlach (1878, p. 160), who secured specimens. Rich-
mond (MS.) saw one near Utuado April 6, 1900, and identified it certainly.
This is the only recent record for the bird. Stahl (1883, p. 58) undoubtedly
erroneously considered it a migrant. Gundlach (loe. cit.) reports its food as
small reptiles, large insects, and birds. I did not see this hawk during my
stay on the island and it is very rare at present.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 33

RED-TAILED HAWK. Buteo borealis (Gmelin).
GUARAGUOU, GUARAGUOU DE SIERRA, LHCHUZA.

Wherever there are steep hilltops still covered with second-growth forest to
furnish safe retreats and nesting places, red-tailed hawks are a tolerably com-
mon resident species. These birds had the same call notes and habits as the

northern forms, but were seldom seen except at a distance. Much persecution
has made them wary, but so long as they have safe retreats they will continue

to exist.

On January 18 one was seen carrying nesting material in the mountains above
Cayey and a nest seen on Vieques Island the middle of March was said the
week before to have contained two young two-thirds grown. Young birds were
noted in July and August and an immature specimen was taken near Manati
July 11. The birds were most active before 9 o’clock in the morning and after
3 in the afternoon, spending the heat of the day perched on dead trees.

Throughout the country these hawks are universally credited with eating
chickens, though no specific instances were noted by the writer. Near Yabucoa
one man claimed to have lost eight in a week. Before man’s advent in this
region the food of this bird must have consisted of lizards, snakes, and birds,
as there were apparently no mammals except bats on the island. The present
custom of allowing chickens to run in the fields and coffee plantations at con-
siderable distances from houses leaves them open to attack, and there is not
much doubt that a few at least are taken. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 361) notes the
remains of rats in the only two stomachs examined by him. Land holders all
conceded that the hawks ate many rats, and some that they ate crabs and
lizards also. The country people secure the young hawks for food whenever
possible.

From the few specimens at hand it is not possible to determine whether this
species is allied to the Jamaican bird, or whether it is sufficiently distinct to
merit a new name. :

Food.—TIwo stomachs only of this species were examined and one was en-
tirely empty. The other contained the hind quarters of a good-sized rat
(Hpimys sp.), evidence in favor of the bird. Where individuals form the
habit of eating chickens they should unquestionably be killed, but otherwise
should not be molested.

PORTO RICAN SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Accipter striatus venator Wetmore.
FALCON.

On May 30 a smali hawk, which proved to be a new form, was taken at an
elevation of about 1,500 feet back of Maricao. It came sailing overhead with
something, presumably a bird, in its talons, and was mistaken at first for a
sparrow hawk. Another individual was noted the same day, and on June 4
still another was seen in a dead tree eating a small bird. When shot this bird
fell down a steep slope and was lost. Apparently these hawks are not only
rare but are local, as the genus has not been recorded on the island up to this
time, and individuals were found in this one locality only. Here they were
frequenting steep slopes densely covered with coffee, while certain low mountains
farther inland, covered with an almost impenetrable second growth, also may
have harbored them.

Food.—From the foregoing it would seem that the food was mainly small
birds, so that the species must be considered as injurious, though in the case
of a bird numerically so weak this can hardly be considered of importance.
The single stomach examined contained fragments of a Latimer’s vireo (Vireo

1 Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXVII, 1914, pp. 119-122.
9767°—Bull. 8326—16——3

34 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

latimeri) as well as a few feathers of a honey creeper (Ce@reba portoricensis),
thus substantiating field observations.

OSPREY. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis (Gmelin).
AGUILA, GUINCHO, AGUILA MARINA,

The osprey is apparently a rare winter visitant to this region. Bowdish
(1902-3, p. 361) notes two from Vieques and one from Mona, while Gundlach
(1878, p. 158) includes it on the authority of Blanco. Stahl (1883, pp. 58, 136)
recorded it as a migrant about the mouths of rivers and had one specimen in
his collection. Along the coast near Mameyes I saw several during February
perched on stakes in the water or circling over the shallows and occasionally
visiting swampy lagoons inland; one was seen on Culebra April 8 and another
April 17. The osprey lives entirely on fish, but it is not numerous enough to be
of economic importance.

GUINEA HEN. Numida meleagris Linneus.
GALLINA DH GUINEA, GUINEA.

The guinea hen, formerly common in the forests, has become wild in Porto
Rico as in the other Greater Antilles. Gundlach (1878, p. 352) records the birds
as common, and says that their food consists of seeds, wild fruits, maize, rice,
sweet potatoes, and plantains, and that sometimes they cause considerable dam-
age to the latter crop. Ledru (1810, p. 207) says that the guinea hen was
brought to Porto Rico by the Genoese slavers about the year 1508. Stahl (Rich-
mond MS.) secured a specimen at Cabo Rojo many years ago, and Sundevall
(1869, p. 601) says that they were not rare. At present they are confined to
natural forest areas, as the Cerro Gordo near Maricao, in Caguana, near Barros,
and on El Yunque de Luquillo. They are few in number and so wild and
retiring that to secure them is largely a matter of chance. Formerly they were
considered game birds and hunted systematically. With the clearing of the
land and the loss of cover, only a smail number will survive, and these in the
most inaccessible regions. They are described as being darker than the domestic
guinea hen and with a differently marked head.

CUBAN QUAIL. Colinus virginianus cubanensis (Gould).
CODORNIZ.

The Cuban quail was introduced into Porto Rico by Don Ramén Soler in the
Hacienda Santa Ines near Vega Baja about 1860 (?) (Gundlach, 1878, p. 350).
Stahl (18838, p. 149) had two specimens in his collection, and Hjalmarson also
secured some (Sundevall, 1869, p. 601). Bowdish (1902-38, p. 860) saw one on a
hill near Mayagiiez, but now the bird is apparently extinct. I could not learn of
any seen recenily.

AMERICAN COOT, MUD HEN. Fulica americana americana Gmelin.
GALLINAZO, GALLARETA, YAGARETA, DAGARETA NEGRA.

The coot is found in Porto Rico, usually in flocks on the large lagoons. Many
individuals appear to be migratory, but the species as a whole is resident. They
were noted aS very common on the Laguna de Guanica and on the large lagoon
porth of Manati. Two birds were seen on Culebra April 18 and 19, respectively.
On the Laguna de Guanica May 26 a large number were apparently breeding.
The country people searched the marshes systematically for their eggs, so that
few escaped. On a large lagoon north of Manati and Vega Baja on July 9 a
flock of 300 or 400 was noted, many of them young birds.

Food.—A coot taken on Culebra had eaten a water scavenger beetle, a num-
ber of small crustaceans, anda large mass of eggs belonging probably to other

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 35

crustaceans. Bits of wood and other vegetable matter were present in small
quantities. A bird from Guanica, taken in May, had eaten a large quantity of
grass or sedge, with a few small roots.

The coot, while not ranking high as a game bird, possesses some economic
value as such in a region where true game birds are scarce, as in Porto Rico.
It merits protection, therefore, during the breeding season, from March 1 until
October 1, at least. Nest robbing is at all times a pernicious practice, and if
taking eggs of coots be permitted, ducks’ nests will inevitably suffer at the hands
of men who do not care to distinguish between them.

[CARIBBEAN COOT.: Fulica caribea Ridgway.
GALLARETA.

The only record of the Caribbean coot is that of Cory (1892, p. 91), who assigns it to
Porto Rico without comment or definite record. It is distinguished from the common
coot by having a broad red frontal plate on the head. At present it can be considered
only of doubtful occurrence. ]

FLORIDA GALLINULE. Gallinula galeata galeata (Lichtenstein).
GALLARETA DH AGUA, YAGARETA, DAGARETA, GALLINAZA.

The Florida gallinule is resident in Porto Rico, though there is apparently
some migration among individuals. It is found in quiet water near the mouths
of large rivers where there are suitable growths of water plants for cover and
in fresh-water marshes and sloughs. April and May appear to be the breeding
months, aS young about 5 days old were seen near Yabucoa May 8.

In the marshes and rivers these gallinules are seen frequently swimming
across open stretches of water, or when encountered suddenly in rounding a
bend fly up and away, singly or in pairs. If a female with her young is dis-
turbed she will remain almost within reach, calling excitedly until the chicks are
safe. Where gallinules are common they are heard cackling and calling on all
sides and their notes are the dominant sounds of the marsh. Sometimes one
will clamber up the reeds and balance near their tips, clucking excitedly, but
usually once they are safe in the growth of water plants they can not be seen
even a few feet away. The birds are somewhat pugnacious among themselves,
especially during the breeding season, and may be seen darting at one another
with open bills.

In the Laguna de Guanica the country people hunted for their eggs, examining
every clump of grass or reeds and working the ground so systematically that it
is a wonder any remain. The birds should be rigidly protected during the
breeding season, as they are of some value as a game bird in a country where
game is scarce.

Food.—Vegetable matter forms the main sustenance of this gallinule, as four
stomachs taken in May contained 96.75 per cent, while only 3.25 per cent of
animal matter was present. A single stomach taken in April held what ap-
peared to be crustacean eggs to the amount of 95 per cent, but this may be
exceptional. he other food taken by this bird was vegetable matter, mainly
grass.

Bits of a true bug (lygeid) were found in one stomach and a small back
swimmer (Plea striola) in another. Beetles of the water-scavenger family oc-
curred in two stomachs, part of a weevil root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri) in
another, and fragments of two small Hymenoptera in a third. One bird had
eaten three snails (Paludestrina coronata) and two small bivalves (i/yctilopsis
leucopheata).

Grass and rootlets formed 90.75 per cent of the total contents, and seeds made
up 6 per cent. Among those identified were knotweed (Polygonum sp.), many
grass seeds (Panicum sp., Paspalum virgatum schreberianum), white-top (Dichro-

36 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

mena ciliata), fimbristylis, purslane (Portulaca oleracea), pigweed (Amaran-
thus sp.), cadillo altea (Triumfetta sp.), and heliotrope (Heliotropium indicum).

A native living near some sloughs below Yabucoa charged these birds with
destroying and eating the gonduros (Cajanus cajan) in her garden, but I heard
no other complaint against them, and they may be considered harmless.

PURPLE GALLINULE. Jonornis martinicus (Linnzus).

GALLARETA PLATANERA, GALLARETA MARTINIQUENA, GALLARETA, DAGARETA.

_ Gundlach (1878, p. 392) says that the purple gallinule was common in the
seventies and damaged rice by eating the grain and breaking down the stalks.
Taylor (1864, p. 171) also found it very abundant in suitable localities, and
Sundevall (1869, p. 601) received seven specimens from Hjalmarson. Now,
however, these gallinules are rare, and the only recent record available is that
of Dr. C. W. Richmond (MS.), who saw one March 38, 1900, near Luquillo,
walking about on some mangrove roots. Gundlach (loc. cit.) says that they
build a nest like that of the Florida gallinule and lay from 6 to 10 eggs.

BLACK RATE. Creciscus jamaicensis (Gmelin).
GALLARETILLA.

The black rail was first recorded for Porto Rico by Gundlach (1881, p. 401)
from a bird taken by Stahl. The latter (1883, p. 63) considered it a rare vis-
itant, and says (1887, p. 452) that it is found in swampy places and that young
were taken. Dr. Richmond (MS.) examined a specimen from Porto Rico in
the Stahl collection in San Juan, presumably the bird upon which the original
records are based.

SORA, CAROLINA RAIL. Porzdana carolina (Linnezus).
GALLINUELA, GALLARETA DE CIENAGA, DAGARETILLA.

The sora is a winter visitant (from October until April) and is found in
fresh-water swamps. I did not see the bird, but it is recorded by all the early
naturalists. The most recent record is that of Dr. C. W. Richmond (MS.),
who examined one taken at Luquillo March 5, 1900. The bird is known to
many natives.

YELLOW-BELLIED RAIL. Porzana fiaviventris (Boddaert).
GALLARETILLA.

The yellow-bellied rail is a rare resident, formerly rather common. May 26
in the marshes at the head of the Laguna de Guanica two were flushed from
a growth of water plants bordering a small open pond about 2 feet deep.
They got up quickly, flew high and swiftly, for rails, and then dropped and
were lost in a dense growth of rushes. On July 23 two more, one an immature
bird, flew up from the waiter plants fringing a small pond along the Bayamon
River near Bayamon and dropped over into the denser growth. Gundlach
(1878, p. 391) found them along the Rio Arecibo. These birds undoubtedly
occur in other localities, but from their retiring habits escape notice. They
appear to inhabit fresh-water marshes where the water is fairly deep, hiding
in the dense yegetation. They are too small to be considered as game birds,
even if their scarcity did not preclude hunting them systematically for sport.

CARIBBEAN CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus longirostris carideus Ridgway.
POLLA DH LAGUNA, POLLA DE MANGLB, POLLA DE MANGLAR.

The Caribbean clapper rail is apparently not found except on salt water. It
is a common species resident in the coastal region, occurring only in the wet
mangrove Swamps bordering the bays and brackish lagoons.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 37

The bird is very shy and inhabits the densest swamps. On Culebra April
was apparently the beginning of the breeding season and the rails were heard
constantly. Near Mameyes one was seen slipping like a gray shadow between
the roots at the edge of a lagoon.

In the region known as La Playita, near Salinas, clapper rails were abundant
and by May 2 some had young a week old, while others were still laying. In
the lower part of the Swamps they were heard calling constantly and their
tracks were seen everywhere in the soft mud. They fed through the more
open parts of the mangroves here, sometimes darting across openings or even
swimming across small pools of water. When caught in small isolated clumps
of mangroves in deep water they frequently flew just above the water with
a slow direct flight, rather than swim to safety. They ran swiftly, covering
the ground with long strides, sometimes pausing when in the shelter of the
mangroves to look back and see what startled them. One female followed by
six or eight coal-black young was seen in a small opening, but at a slight noise
all disappeared. One young bird taken was entirely black and had stocky
legs and big feet.

Food.—Eleven stomachs of the clapper rail were examined and the food was
found to be entirely animal matter. A small quantity of vegetable rubbish
found in one stomach was without doubt taken accidentally and may be dis-
regarded. Two stomachs were entirely empty, leaving nine available for
study. Only one contained fish remains and the others, with the single excep-
tion of the small amount of vegetable matter noted, were filled with remains
of crustaceans usually finely ground. The great mass of these were identified
as fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax rapazr) and they formed the entire contents of
six of the stomachs examined and occurred in seven of the nine. Other crus-
tacean remains, together with these crabs, form 94.45 per cent.

This bird is of value as a game bird and from its habits is capable of hold-
ing its own so long as the mangrove Swamps remain. It should, however, be
protected from March 1 to December 1, at least.

LIMPKIN, COURLAN. Aramus vociferus (Latham).
CARRAO, GUAREAO.

Although reported from many localities, the carrao, or limpkin, can be
recorded certaiuly only from the north slopes of El Yunque above Rio Grande,
the region between Adjuntas and Maricao, and the Hacienda Jobo west of
Utuado. It is apparently unknown on the smaller islands and is now very
rare on Porto Rico. Formerly more abundant, it was highly esteemed as a
game bird. Gundlach (1878, p. 387) records it as common and nesting from
the end of December through January, laying from three to five eggs. He
describes its food as consisting of mollusks, earthworms, insects, crustaceans,
and land shells.

In Porto Rico the limpkin inhabits dense wet forest growth in remote locali-
ties and occurs usually on steep slopes, frequently at some distance above the
streams. It is said to be found in pairs, and when hunted the birds run rap-
idly and noiselessly before the sportsman, rarely flying, seeking the densest
eover. Only in early morning do they come out into the more open forest.
The natives are said to pursue them on foot through the wet growth. Soon
the birds’ feathers become too wet for flight, and in a short time, when tired
out, they may be captured in the hand. The native name is given to the bird
in imitation of its cry.

The main part of the food is said to be the common large land shells (Pleu-
rodonte carocalla), and to some extent lizards.

88 BULLETIN 3826, U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The clearing of the forest has done much to lessen the numbers of this bird,
while the mongoose without doubt takes its full share, living, as it does, upon
the ground; so that the limpkin is no longer valuable as a game bird, though
scattered individuals may survive for many years. Mr. Leop. B. Strube, of
the Hacienda Jobo, stated that there were still at least a dozen pairs on his
plantation living in a small tract of natural forest, and as they are protected
they will survive. Mr. Strube kindly presented the Biological Survey with a
specimen taken in June in that locality.

MEXICAN JACANA. Jacana spinosa (Linneus).
GALLITO.

Gundlach (1878, p.°3885) says that Blanco received a specimen of the Mexican
jacana in the fiesh from Trujillo. There are no other records, and the bird
must be regarded as an accidental visitant.

OYSTER-CATCHER. Hematopus palliatus (Temminck).
CORACOLERO, OSTRERO,

The oyster-catcher is reported as occurring occasionally on the islands of
Culebra and Culebrita. Gundlach (1878, p. 879) reports a specimen on the
authority of Blanco, taken near San Juan, and Stahl (1887, p. 449) says that
it was seen at the end of August, 1886. On the rocky beaches of Desecheo,
June 138 to 15, three were seen and others reported by fishermen, to whom they
are well known. From an economic standpoint this bird has no importance
whatever, but is worthy of protection because of its harmlessness.

RUFOUS-NAPED PLOVER. Ochthodromus wilsonius rufinuchus (Ridgway).
CORREDOR, FRAILECILLO CABEZON, PLAYERO, PLAYANTH.

Gundlach (1878a, p. 189) found the rufous-naped plover at Cabo Rojo and
Arecibo in October and February and says (1878, p. 881) it is resident. Stahl
(1883, p. 63) also considered it a resident species and says emphatically that
it does not migrate. There is a specimen in the United States National
Museum, taken February 11, 1899, on Culebra by Dr. J. D. Milligan. Bowdish
(1902-8, p. 360) found these plovers on Vieques during November. Dr. Rich-
mond secured specimens in the same locality on March 27, 1900. The bird is

now rare, and none were seen during my work in this region.

PIPING PLOVER. Zialitis meloda Ord.
PLAYERO, PLAYANTE, FRAILECILLO MELODICO.

Gundlach (1874, p. 814) saw a piping plover in the Blanco collection, taken
near San Juan. Stahl (1883, p. 152) had two specimens (examined in 1900 by
Dr. Richmond) from Porto Rico, and says (1887, p. 449) that the birds arrive
the middle of August. The bird seems to be a rare migrant to the island.

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. A gialitis semipalmata (Bonaparte).
PLAYERO, PLAYANTH, FRAILECITO, KRAILECILLO CHICO.

The semipalmated plover is at present apparently rather a rare migrant. One
was seen on the north coast of Vieques March 380, but was not secured. Gund-
lach (1878a, p. 189) records it as common in September at Mayagitiez and as
occurring in April, May, and June, while Sundevall (1869, p. 602) notes a speci-
men taken by Hjalmarson in winter. Stahl (1883, p. 152) had three specimens
in his collection, one of which was examined in San Juan by Dr. Richmond
(MS.), who also collected specimens March 5, 1900, at Luquillo, which were
not preserved. Stahl (1887, p. 449) notes that they arrive the middle of
August.

Nn Eee ee

ee Te ee ee

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 39

ANTILLEAN KILLDEER. Ozyechus vociferus rubidus Riley.
PLAYERO, PLAYANTH, PLUVIAL SABANERO, FRAILECILLO SABANERO,

The Antillean killdeer is a resident species, common locally in the coastal
region. In July, after the breeding season, it goes inland along the largec
streams as far as Utuado, Ciales, and other inland towns.

In February these killdeer seemed to be paired (Mameyes), and on March 23
on Vieques a female taken along a small stream contained an egg nearly ready
for the shell. A young bird secured near Afiasco June 7 had down feathers
still clinging to the tips of the rectrices. During the breeding season the bird’
frequent mainly the dry open shores of lagoons near the coast, but the rest of
the year wander a great deal. In the sandy region north of Manati they are
very common and numbers frequent the citrus groves, apparently breeding
there. In such localities the birds are well worthy of protection while nesting,
because of their beneficial habits, and insectivorous birds in the orchards
are few.

The birds are, as in the North, noisy and restless, and about the lagoons
frequently alarm cther waterfowl with their loud cries. During the breeding
season their outcries are doubled, and in regions where they have nests or
young they may be seen continually flying overhead, or running along on the
ground, always with their loud notes, stopping to fall on their breasts with
outspread fluttering wings or to simulate a brooding bird covering her eggs.
After the breeding season many are found along the broad gravel bars of the
larger Streams.

Food.—TIwenty stomachs of the killdeer taken in February, March, May,
June, and July were examined, and showed 98.84 per cent animal matter and
1.66 per cent vegetable. Orthoptera, beetles, flies, and snails make up the bulk
of the animal food, and the small percentage of vegetable matter is composed
mainly of seeds, with a little rubbish.

Animal food.—The killdeer proves to be an important enemy of the mole
cricket. It was found in 10 stomachs and forms 14.42 per cent of the food.
Nymphs only appear to be eaten, as the bird can not break up the adults in
order to swallow them, but this in no wise lessens the value of its services.
Seven changas were found in one stomach, six in another, and several stomachs
contained three each. Other Orthoptera amounted to 2.04 per cent, and were
made up of miscellaneous fragments, among which were identified two small
crickets (Lllipes minutia). Weevil remains (3.09 per cent) were recognized in
four stomachs. The only one determined was a curculio (Hrodiscus sp.).
Other beetles make 29.17 per cent, the largest single item in the dietary of this
bird. Water scavenger beetles (Berosus sp. and Philhydrus sp.) were found
eight times, and a small dung beetle (Atenius stercorator) seven times. Dark-
ling beetles (Tenebrionid#) were taken by six birds, and though not of much
importance economically, they are of interest as showing that in Porto Rico
as in the southwestern United States there are a number of ground-haunting
forms of this family. Only one genus (Crypticus) was identified. The
striped flea beetle (Systena basalis), injurious to nearly all garden vegetables,
was found twice, and a corn leaf-eating beetle (J/yochrous sp.) four times.
The habits of the latter species in Porto Rico are not known, but in the
Southern States they damage young corn by eating the leaves. Another flea
beetle (Haltica sp.) was found in one stomach. All of these leaf-eating beetles
are more or less noxious and in many cases become very injurious. Only
one ground beetle (Selenophorus sp.) was found, and this was the only bene-
ficial insect taken.

Fly larvee occurred in seven stomachs, and comprised 19.53 per cent of the con-
tents. Ants form 5.59 per cent, and were found in ten stomachs. The fire ant

40 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

or brown ant (Solenopsis geminata) had been eaten by seven birds, one stomach
containing 41, another 50, and another 83 individuals. This ant is known to be
very injurious to young orange trees, so that the killdeer at once becomes of
importance in the citrus groves. One broad-shouldered water strider (Micero-
velia sp.) and a single water boatman (Coriza sp.) were found. One stomach
contained 12 caterpillars and another an ichneumon fiy. These miscellaneous
items form 1.56 per cent.

Dragon flies occur in two stomachs taken in July, and form 3.92 per cent
of the total. Mollusks figure as 19.02 per cent, and among them three genera
were identified (Truncatella, Planorbis, and Paludestrina). One stomach con-
tained a few fish remains.

Vegetable food.—Though amounting to only 1.66 per cent of the total, vege-
table matter was found in nine stomachs; in only two was there material that
could be classed as rubbish. Each of the other seven held small seeds, among
which were identified guinea grass (Panicum sp.), crab grass (Syntherisma
sanguinalis), white-top (Dichromena ciliata), pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), purs-
lane (Portulaca oleracea), knotweed (Polygonum sp.), plantain (Plantago sp.),
eroton (Croton sp.), and several seeds of composite plants. The large share
of these are weed seeds growing abundantly in the haunts of this killdeer.

Although small, the Antillean killdeer might be considered a game bird, but
its food habits warrant giving it full protection and encouragement, as its sery-
_ ices to the agriculturist are too valuable to be lost. It is especially useful in
cultivated fields and orchards. Analysis of its food shows that it is entirely
beneficial, and from its habits it can perform services not rendered by other
birds.

GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius dominicus dominicus (Miiller).
PLAYERO, CHORLITO, PLUYIAL.

The golden plover is apparently a rare migrant through Porto Rico. Sun-
devall (1869, p. 602) speaks of two specimens sent him by Hjalmarson. Gund-
lach (1878a, p. 189) secured specimens near Arecibo in November, and Stahl
(1888, p. 152) had two in his collection. One bird was seen feeding along the
beach near the mouth of the Rio Mameyes February 16, but was not secured.
There are no other records for this bird.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Squatarola squatarola (Linnzus).
PLUVIAL, PLUVIAL GRANDE,

Gundiach (1878a, p. 188) secured specimens of the black-bellied plover
around San Juan Bay, and Stahl (1883, p. 152) had two specimens from Porto
Rico in his collection. There are no other actual records for the bird, and it
must be regarded as a rare migrant.

RUDDY TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres morinelia (Linnzus).
PLAYERO TURCO, PUTILLA TURCA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 379) records the arrival of the ruddy turnstone in Sep-
tember and says it remains until May. He found the species (1878a, p. 188) at
Mayagiiez, Cabo Rojo. Quebradillas, and Vega Baja. It is a winter visitant
apparently tolerably common. On February 15 a small flock was seen by the writer
feeding along the mud fiats on Punto Miquillo north of Mameyes, and the same
flock was observed again on the 21st. The birds kept close together on the
ground, and when startled got up with a loud whistled note, flying in a com-
pact flock. They were well known to fishermen and charcoal burners near
Mameyes, and were said to occur regularly. On April 15 three or four were
seen on Culebrita Island. This species occurs only where there are mud flats

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 41

suitable for it to feed upon, and only in the immediate neighborhood of the
coast on either brackish or salt water.

Food.—Five stomachs of the turnstone taken in February and April were
examined and were found to contain animal matter only. One contained a few
small fish scales, but small crustaceans made up the bulk of the food. The
greater part of these were amphipods (Orchestia sp.), while a smaller number
of isopods (Hzcirolana mayana) were eaten. No other groups could be
identified. Nothing is eaten that is beneficial or injurious to man.

ESKIMO CURLEW. Numenius borealis (J. R. Forster).
CURLIS, CHORLO.

The only record for the Eskimo curlew is that of Gundlach (1878a, p. 188),
who mentions a single specimen taken near San Juan by Don Tomas Blanco.

HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Numenius hudsonicus Latham,
CURLIS, BARGA, CHORLO.

Gundlach (1878a, p. 187) saw the Hudsonian curlew in the collection of
Blanco in San Juan, and (1878, p. 367) says that he once found this bird
along the river at Punta Arenas south of Mayagiiez. Stahl (1883, p. 150) re-
corded two specimens in his collection and these were seen in San Juan in
1900 by Richmond (MS.).

SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Actitis macularia (Linneus).
PUTILLA, PLAYERO, PUTILLA MANCHADA, ZARAPICO MOSQUBADO.

A common winter visitant from July to May, the spotted sandpiper is the
most abundant and widely distributed shorebird in the island. 2

It frequents the mangrove swamps, borders of lagoons, margins of all the
streams, and occasionally the sandy beaches. During the winter season it
follows inland along the small streams and occurs throughout the island. The
first fall bird taken (at Manati July 9) was an adult, and none but adults
were seen until July 27, when immature birds were common along the Rio de
la Plata above Comerio. The last bird in the spring was seen near Patillas
May 13. Thus the bird is present in the island 11 months of the year, though
it does not nest there.

Food.—Nine stomachs of the spotted sandpiper representing the months from
December to April, and July and August were examined. Animal matter com-
prised 99.78 per cent of the food, leaving only 0.22 per cent for vegetable
matter, which consisted of rubbish found in two stomachs. The greater share
of the food is made up of crustaceans, with smaller amounts of mole crickets,
bugs, and beetles. Though mole crickets (Scapteriscus didactylus) were found
in but two stomachs, they form 10.78 per cent of the total food. All were
nymphs, as this bird is not able to break up the adults with its slender bill;
four were in one stomach and two in another. Nearly all the birds collected
were taken near mangrove swamps and along beaches, and it is very probable
that along inland streams, flowing through cultivated fields, spotted sandpipers
would pick up many more changas than is here indicated.

One bird had eaten a tiger beetle, 138 adult water scavenger beetles (Berosus
sp.), and 4 hydrophilid larve, amounting to 3.89 per cent of the total. Aquatic
bugs made 4.11 per cent of the whole; seven broad-shouldered water striders
(Mesovelia sp., and Microvelia sp.), two water boatmen (Corixza sp.), and three
back swimmers (Plea sp. and Notonecta sp.) were found in one stomach. Crus-
taceans aggregated 80.12 per cent and were made up of small amphipods and
fiddler crabs (Uca pugnax rapasz). Another small crab (Sesarma (Holometo-
pus) roberti) and an isopod (Hacirolana mayana) also were identified. Ants

AQ BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in one stomach and bits of an earwig in another form miscellaneous matter
amounting to 0.88 per cent.

From the foregoing the spotted sandpiper is a beneficial species and should
not be molested. Only one item can be charged against it, a single tiger
beetle, and that is too small to be of value. Fortunately the bird is common
and, though only a migrant, is present for the greater part of the year. Thus
it can be of great value in aiding in the war on the mole cricket.

UPLAND PLOVER. Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein).
GANGA.

The only known record for the upland plover is that of Stahl, who (Gund-
lach, 1881, p. 401) secured one some time between 1878 and 1881.

WILLET. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus (Gmelin).
CHORLO. :

The willet was found by Stahl around San Juan Bay and by Gundlach (1878a,
p. 188) at El Boqueron near Cabo Rojo. The latter writer says that these
birds occurred on marshy shores and that he believed they nested on the island.
Naturalists visiting the island more recently have failed to record them.

SOLITARY SANDPIPER. JHelodromas solitarius solitarius (Wilson).
PUTILLA, SOLITARIO, ZARAPICO SOLITARIO.

The solitary sandpiper is a tolerably common winter visitant, apparently
more abundant on the western half of the island. The first bird for the fall was
an immature specimen taken along the Rio de la Plata above Comerio July 29,
and by the last of August the species was common around Cabo Rojo. At
Humacao a few birds were noted along the Rio Humacao the first week in Sep-
tember, but I saw none in the eastern part of the island in the spring. These
sandpipers are found singly, scattered about pools of water left in the lowlands
by the heavy rains, in wet, newly plowed fields, on mud flats, in the lagoons of
the coastal region, or along streams. Tame and unsuspicious, they walk with a
quick, tilting motion of the body, and when flushed fly rapidly, with a quick
note—peés wees.

Sundevall (1869, p. 602) received a winter specimen in the collection of
Hjalmarson; Gundlach (1878, p. 872) records them from the second half of
September to April; and Bowdish (1902-3, p. 860) says that they are often seen
in fall and winter.

Food.—Iwo stomachs taken in July and August contained nothing but ani-
mal matter. More than half the contents consisted of dragon-fly nymphs and
a large part of the remainder of water-scavenger beetles (Berosus sp. and
others) and their larve. One bird had eaten a water boatman (Coriza sp.).
Though the predacious dragon flies taken by these two weigh strongly against
them, it may be found on examining more material that the birds consume in-
jurious insects enough to counterbalance this. The birds should not hastily be
condemned, as there is no reason to suppose that their food differs greatly from
that of the spotted sandpiper. It may also be found that, like that species,
they consume numbers of the nymphs of the mole cricket.

LESSER YELLOW-LEGS. Totanus flavipes (Gmelin).
CHORLO, CABALLERO, PATIAMARILLO.

The lesser yellow-legs is recorded as a winter visitant from September to
April (Gundlach, 1878, p. 871), but seems to be more common during fall migra-
tion. Dr. Richmond (MS.) noted the species on Vieques, March 25, 1900, and
this is the only known recent spring record. Stahl (1887, p. 449) says that in
1886 the first were seen on August 9, somewhat earlier than in previous years.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 43

I found them only near Cabo Rojo from August 24 to 31, when fall migration
was apparently at its height. The birds fed along the overflowed borders of
lagoons and also in moist newly plowed fields in the lowlands. Many were seen
in flight following the trend of the coast southward.

Food.—Four stomachs examined, all taken at Cabo Rojo the last of August,
contained nothing but animal matter. Water boatmen (Coriza sp.) found in
each of the four make 57.5 per cent, and two stomachs contained nothing else.
Crustacean remains, among which were several crabs (Sesarma (Holometopus)
roberti), were identified in two stomachs, and make the remainder, 42.5 per
cent. Apparently this species is neutral as regards agricultural interests.

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin).
PLAYBRO, CABALLERO CHILLON, ZARAPICO BLANQUINEGRO,

Apparently a migrant in spring and fall in Porto Rico, the greater yellow-
legs may occasionally spend the winter there around some of the more inacces-
sible lagoons. Three were noted near Salinas May 2 and one was taken. A
single individual was seen May 26 at the Laguna de Guanica, and on August 26
three or four were feeding on mud flats at Porto Real, near Cabo Rojo. The
species is recorded by Sundevall (1869, p. 602) and Gundlach (1878, p. 370).
Stahl (1887, p. 449) found them as early as August 9, 1886.

Food.—The stomach of the single bird taken was nearly full of finely ground
fragments of small crustaceans. The only other items were the maxillz of an
aquatic larval insect. Nothing of economic importance was taken.

MARBLED GODWIT. Limosa fedoa (Linneus),
CHORLO, BARGA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 868) records the marbled godwit from Boqueron below
Cabo Rojo, where he found a single bird. ‘There are no other certain records.

SANDERLING. Calidris leucophea (Pallas).
ARENERO, PUTILLA,

The sanderling is apparently a rare migrant in Porto Rico. The first record
is that of Gundlach (1878, p. 876), who notes a male taken at Bayamon by
Stahl. The latter (1883, p. 151) says that he had two specimens in his collec-
tion and adds (1887, p. 450) that the species lingers late in spring. Nothing
further has been found regarding its occurrence.

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. LEreunetes pusillus (Linneus).
PUTILLA, PUTILLITA DIMINUTA, ZARAPICO GRACIOSO.

The semipalmated sandpiper is a tolerably common winter visitant. From
August 24 to 31 individuals were common in the coastal region at Cabo Rojo
about the shallow lagoons. Several times they were seen singly or in small
flocks feeding in newly plowed fields, where the soil was soft from the heavy
rains, climbing over clods and furrows, or gathering about small pools of stand-
ing water. Bowdish took a specimen on Mona Island August 11, 1901, and Gund-
lach (1878, p. 874) records it as a winter visitant. Sundevall (1869, p. 602)
notes four specimens received from Hjalmarson. Stahl (1887, p. 449) says that
they arrived at the end of August, 1886, and (loe. cit., p. 452) that a few indi-
viduals remain throughout the summer.

Food.—Six stomachs taken at Cabo Rojo in August contained 99.16 per cent
of animal matter and 0.84 per cent of vegetable matter. Beetles, bugs, fly
pups, and small mollusks form the bulk of the food. Small water scavenger
beetles (Hydrophilids) were found in four stomachs and amount to 27 per cent.
Two ground beetles (Bembidiuwm sp.) amount to 5 per cent, and miscellaneous

44 - BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

beetles to 3.84 per cent. One bird had eaten nothing but four back swimmers
(Notonecta sp.), and these made 16.66 per cent. Fly pupz figure largely in two
stomachs, forming 21.66 per cent of the total, and snails (Planorbis sp.) 13 per
cent, while miscellaneous animal matter amounts to 12.50 per cent. The small
quantity of vegetable matter present was rubbish. The numbers of Diptera
eaten speak well for this sandpiper.

LEAST SANDPIPER. Pisobia minutilla (Vieillot).
PUTILLA, PUTILLA MENUDA, SARAPICO PEQUENO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 376) records the least sandpiper as a winter visitant. It
is still common during migration. Stahl (1887, p. 449) says that the birds
arrived from the north at the end of August in 1886, and that a few indi-
viduals remained through the summer. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 360) notes the
first arrivals for Porto Rico September. 23, 1900, and September 4, 1901. He
also found them common on Mona Island August 9 to 21, 1901. I saw one at
the Laguna de Guanica May 26, and August 28 one at Joyuda, near Cabo Rojo.
Further observations may show that they are more common in other localities.

Food.—The stomach of the single bird taken contained the heads of more than
100 minute fly larve (75 per cent) and fragments of small beetles (Heteroce-
rus sp.) (25 per cent).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER. Pisobia fuscicollis (Vieillot).
PUTILLA.

The white-rumped sandpiper is a rare migrant and possibly a winter visitant
to Porto Rico. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 360) took one near Mayagiiez October 2,
1900, the first record for the island. April 15 I saw two on the north shore of
Culebrita Island. The species should occur on mud flats bordering lagoons and
in similar localities.

PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Pisobia maculata (Vieillot).
PUTILLA, PUTILLA PINTA, SARAPICO MANCHADO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 375) records the pectoral sandpiper as a winter visitant
from September to April, but it probably occurs more commonly during migra-
tion. Stahl (1887, p. 452) says that it lingers late in spring and that a few
individuals are found through the summer. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 359) secured
specimens September 26, 1900, and October 2 near Aguadilla. I saw a flock of
about a dozen around a little tidal pool near Guayanilla August 24.

STILT SANDPIPER. Micropalama himantopus (Bonaparte).
PUTILLA, SARAPICO ZANCUDO.

On August 28 a pair of stilt sandpipers came driving swiftly down the coast
at Joyuda, near Cabo Rojo, and one was taken. They are winter visitants,
apparently rather rare, and are to be looked for on mud flats bordering lagoons
and about shallow pools of water with muddy shores. Gundlach (1878, p. 373)
says that they arrive in September. Sundevall (1869, p. 602) received three
specimens from Hjalmarson. Stahl (1883, p. 151) had one specimen in his
collection. The stomach of one bird, taken about 11 in the morning, contained
gravel alone, which would indicate that this individual was a migrant and had
come a long distance.

WHILSON’S SNIPE. Gallinago delicata (Ord).
BECACINA,

According to Gundlach (1878, p. 368) Wilson’s snipe is a winter visitant,
occurring from September until spring. December 19, 1911, a dozen were seen
about a pool in a low field near Rio Piedras and one was taken; another was

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 45

flushed at the edge of a mangrove swamp December 22. The fact that these
snipe occur on the island in the winter months is unknown to most sportsmen,
but apparently they are to be found about fresh-water marshes and swamps in
fair numbers during early winter.

Food.—The stomach of one bird contained bits of a water boatman (Corizxa
sp.), remains of two larval water scavenger beetles, and fragments of an ant,
all of which amounted to 380 per cent of the bulk. Mole cricket remains
(Scapteriscus didactylus), an interesting find in the stomach of this bird,
amounted to 10 per cent. Vegetable matter (60 per cent) was composed mainly
of bits of grass, wood, etc., while three seeds of guinea grass (Panicum sp.)
and one of sedge (Carex sp.) were identified. Examination of a large number
of stomachs of this snipe might show that it is an important enemy of the
changa.

BLACK-NECKED STILT. Himantopus mezicanus (Miller).
VIUDA, PLAYANTH, YEGUETE, ZANCUDO.

The black-necked stilt is a resident species formerly common everywhere in
the lagoons. Gundlach (1878, p. 377) records it from Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo,
Boqueron, and the Rio Arecibo. At present it is found commonly only in the
extensive lagoons and swamps between Salinas and Guayama, at the Laguna de
Guanica and around Boqueron, and only stragglers occur in other localities. In
March, 1900, the birds were reported as occasional on Vieques (Richmond MS.).
When feeding they wade among the plants in water almost to their bodies,
swimming when beyond their depth, or else pick their way along the muddy
shores of the lagoons, gleaning as they go. The breeding season extends
apparently from the last of April to the first of June, and at that time the birds
are very noisy. Long before the marshes are reached their notes may be heard,
and as one approaches stilts come flying out rather slowly, the long legs
stretched out behind, calling kek kek kek loudly. As they pass overhead they
circle rapidly, but are easily killed and are too often a mark for the sportsman.
That the male assists in incubation is evidenced by two prominent incubation
patches, one on either side of the breast, found in birds secured in April and
May.

Food.—TIwo stomachs of the stilt were examined and found to contain animal
matter only. Water boatmen (Corizxa sp.) were present in large numbers and
form more than half the bulk. Small fish scales amount to 40 per cent, and
the remainder consists of miscellaneous matter. Though many fish are eaten,
the birds would be harmful only in the immediate vicinity of a fish hatchery.

LAUGHING GULL. Larus atricilla Linneus.
GAVIOTA, PALOMITA, FORASTERA, GALLEGO, GAVIOTA BOBA.

The laughing gull is a species fairly common along the seacoast of Porto
Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. Bowdish (MS.) found them common around Mona
August 9 to 21, 1901. In San Juan Harbor only an occasional bird was seen
during the winter months, but by July there were numbers. On Culebra they
were common after April 15 in the harbor, and I heard and saw them fre-
quently. Around Desecheo the middle of June there were about 30, though none
seemed to be breeding. They were continually passing up and down the coast,
calling and scolding whenever I was in sight. At times they came around my
camp to investigate the refuse, but otherwise were rather wild. Their flight
is strong and direct.

Food.—¥ish remains comprised 70 per cent of the contents of two stomachs
and in one was found a crab (Plagusia depressa). Gulls are always largely

46 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

scavengers. Bowdish saw two feeding on the body of a booby which he had
skinned and thrown into the water.

NODDY. Anoiis stolidus stolidus (Linnzus).
GAVIOTA, CERVERA,

The noddy was an abundant species on Desecheo Island the middle of June
and was not noted except in that vicinity. About 2,000 of them were already
on the island, while many had not yet come in to nest. The birds were found
on the rough limestone ledges in parties of from half a dozen to 500, and their
nests, mere collections of small flat stones, a twig or two, and perhaps a
feather, were in hollows in the rock. Four eggs collected showed incubation of
about five days and one was fresh. The females were apparently doing most
of the incubating, with the males standing guard, but the latter must have occu-
pied the nests part of the time, as all showed bare incubation patches on the
breast.

Bowdish (1902-3, p. 358) notes them as common on the coasts of the main
island and abundant on Mona and Desecheo. The nesting dates apparently
vary somewhat from year to year, as he found well-grown young June 24, 1900.

Food.—Three stomachs of the noddy taken on Desecheo were examined and one
was found to be entirely empty. Another contained the horny beaked jaws of a
squid, and the third one medium-sized and two small fish. Definite statements
concerning the food of this bird can not be made from this small amount of
material, but undoubtedly fish form a large part of it and various marine ani-
mals the rest.

BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmelin).
GAVIOTA, GAVIOTA NEGRA.

The only authentic record of the black tern is that of Gundlach (1878a, p.
191), who saw a specimen in the collection of Blanco in San Juan. It must be
considered of casual occurrence in this region.

BRIDLED TERN. Sterna ane@theta Scopoli.
GAVIOTA.

The handsome bridled tern was common on the rough, eroded limestone rocks
strewing the lower portions of the north and west coasts of Desecheo Island.
Bowdish (1902-8, p. 357) found them common on Desecheo and Mona and also
records them from the coast of the main island, but Gundlach did not find them.
As nearly as could be estimated there were about 1,500 of them on Desecheo.
June 15 was apparently the beginning of the breeding season, as, although two
eggs taken were far along in incubation, many of the birds had not laid.

Food.—Of five stomachs examined one was entirely empty. Fish remains
were present in all the other stomachs and amounted to 70 per cent. One
species was identified as a filefish (Aluwiera sp.). Mollusks (25 per cent) were
represented by a gastropod and a cephalopod (Spirula australis), the latter one
of the few of that order bearing a shell that exist to-day. Miscellaneous mat-
ter (5 per cent) consisted of a moth and a small echinoderm. Fish and marine
mollusks form the large bulk of the food, and under present conditions the
birds are to be considered harmless, as the fish eaten are not of economic
importance.

SOOTY TERN. Sterna fuscata Linnezus.
GAVIOTA, GAVIOTA OSCURA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 414) found sooty terns common on the north coast of
Porto Rico and in July noted them at Mayagiiez, while Stahl (1887, p. 453)

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 47

says that he once shot a pair on the south coast of the island in June. Bowdish
(1902-3, p. 357) found them common August 9 to 21, 1901, on Mona, which is
undoubtedly one of their breeding places. I saw one with some common terns
in the bay at Joyuda, near Cabo Rojo, August 28, and another with a flock of
laughing gulls near Rincon September 2. Two were seen at sea about 200
miles north of Porto Rico September 12..

LEAST TERN. Sterna antillarum (Lesson).

GAVIOTA, GAVIOTA ANTILLANA. 7
Gundlach (1878, p. 412) says that the least tern was found by Blanco near

San Juan, and by Stahl at the mouth of the River Toa (Rio de la Plata) ; and

Stahl (1887, p. 453) says that they come in September. The latest record for

them is that of Bowdish, who (1902-3, p. 357) saw a pair off Cabo Rojo Light-

house August 22, 1901.

ROSEATE TERN. Sterna dougalli Montagu.
GAVIOTA.

On June 16 a small flock of roseate terns was seen feeding over the water
and then resting in a close flock on the surface, between Desecheo and Porto
Rico. July 8 a few were noted along the curiously eroded limestone ledges form-
ing the shore line north of Manati. They darted about over the bare rocks
above the ocean, harshly calling cack, cack. One of them, a female in rather
worn plumage, was taken, and from their actions they were breeding, though
no nests were found. At Joyuda near Cabo Rojo on August 28 five or six were
feeding with a flock of common terns and resting with them on rocks in the
water. Gundlach (1874, p. 314) doubtfully records the roseate tern as seen in
Blaneco’s collection, and Cory (1892, p. 82) lists it from Porto Rico without ,
comment. If Sterna d. gracilis Gould is retained as a valid subspecies, then
both varieties are represented in the collection from Porto Rico, as the bill of
a fall bird taken at Joyuda is entirely black, while in the case of a female taken
near Manati on July 8 the base of the bill is slightly reddish. It is felt, how-
ever, that more material is needed to settle this question definitely.

The two stomachs examined contained only fish remains. No other data con-
cerning their food are available.

ARCTIC TERN. Sterna paradisea Briinnich.
GaAviota, GAVIOTA DEL PARAISO.

Gundlach (1878a, p. 168) saw the Arctie tern in the collection of Blanco,
taken near San Juan. According to Stahl (1883, p. 154), who had three
specimens in his collection, they arrive in September (1887, p. 453). There are
no other specimens on record.

COMMON TERN. Sterna hirundo Linneus.
GAVIOTA, PALOMITA.

The last of August the common tern was fairly numerous along the coast at
Porto Ferro and Joyuda near Cabo Rojo. This is apparently the first record
for Porto Rico, though the winter range of the bird is given as from Florida
to Brazil. On August 28 these terns were following a school-of mackerel that
was driving up and down the shallow water behind the reefs at Joyuda. ‘The
birds dived down excitedly when the minnows were driven up, and when satis-
fied gathered in a close flock on rocks standing in the water. Two were
collected.

1A, 0, U. Check List North Amer, Birds, 3d ed., 1910, p. 44,

48 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Food.—The two stomachs examined contained well-digested remains of min-
nows. One bird had eaten 12 or more and the other 6. These fish are not of
economic importance.

CABOT’S TERN. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida Cabot.
GAVIOTA, GAVIOTA DE Pico AGUDO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 411) found Cabot’s tern common along the coast of Porto
Rico, and secured a specimen at Mayagiiez (1878a, p. 191). Stahl (1883, p.
154) had two specimens in his collection and remarks (1887, p. 453) that it is
found throughout the year. It has not recently been seen here by naturalists.

ROYAL TERN. Sterna maxima Boddaert.
GAVIOTA, GAVIOTA REGIA, CHIRRE.

Tolerably common along the coasts of Porto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, the
royal tern is frequently seen in San Juan Harbor, usually alone but sometimes
in company with laughing gulls. At Mameyes in February there were a few
about Punta Picua, where they perch on posts standing in the waiter, always
facing the wind. Occasionally one would swoop down and capture a minnow
or circle around with harsh cries, but always returned to the same perch.
Their occurrence here was not regular and the birds were evidently wanderers.

Food.—The three stomachs examined contained only fish, which without
doubt form the greater part of their food. One parrot fish (Sparisoma sp.) was
recognized, but the others were too well digested for identification. From
observation the royal tern seems to be almost entirely piscivorous. HExamina-
tion of more stomachs will doubtless corroborate this.

RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE. Geotrygon montana (Linneus).
PERDIZ, PERDIZ DE MONTE, BOYERO.

The ruddy quail-dove is a rather rare resident species except in a few locali-
ties where protected by dense cover or in regions high in the mountains. Some-
times they are found in coffee plantations, but usually occur in areas of second
growth on steep hillsides. The birds walk rapidly away before an intruder,
with nodding heads, or else crouch down and hide, and in the dim light it is
difficult to make them out. When frightened they fly with a loud fluttering, and
after a few feet set the wings to sail off noiselesslv. The mongoose, the greatest
enemy of this bird, is abundant in the lowlands, but has not yet penetrated far
into the interior. Apparently it has exterminated the quail-doves in the coastal
region, aS none were seen save near Manati.

The breeding season appears to begin the first of March, and the quail-doves
seem to have but one brood a season. The natives say that they nest on the
ground. Males during this period have a low resonant note, coming apparenily
from a distance, but finally resolving itself into a deep coo-00-00, with a peculiar
undertone, as of the humming of the wind across the end of a gun barrel, a very
striking sound, and one difficult to locate.

Food.—Five stomachs of the ruddy quail-dove were examined and found to
contain vegetable matter alone, save that one bird had eaten an ant, taken prob-
ably by accident. During the orange season the birds feed largely on seeds of
sweet oranges (chinas), and these were found in four stomachs. One bird
- had taken 17 seeds and another 13, while others contained smaller quantities.
Field observation showed that these seeds were taken from decayed fruit lying
under the trees. The fallen oranges were pecked open when they became soft
from lying on the moist earth, the birds going straight to the centers and
picking out the seeds, so that rotting oranges with neat round holes in them
were common in the haunts of the perdiz. The soft bill of this dove would

a a 0 a a a OS Re

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 49

preclude attacks on sound oranges. Hard ivorylike grass seeds (Olyra latifolia)
were in two stomachs and pits of the moral (Cordia sp.) in two. One bird had
eaten seeds of a spurge (Chamesyce sp.), and other undetermined seeds belong-
ing to the madder, myrtle, and spurge families were found. Leaves occurred in
four stomachs and in one made a large part of the bulk.

Near Manati the birds fed on the fallen fruit of the manchineel (Hippomane
manchinella), which to human beings is very poisonous. This was the only
locality in which the birds were observed in trees.

The quail-dove may be considered a game bird, and should be given the same
open season as the larger pigeons. In its food habits it is harmless and does a
certain amount of good by eating harmful seeds.

KEY WEST QUAIL-DOVE. Geotrygon chrysia Salvadori.
PHRDIZ MARTINIQUENA, BARBEQUEJO.

Taylor (1864, p. 171) says that the Key West quail-dove is not uncommon in
Porto Rico, and Gundlach (1878, p. 347) records a specimen in the collection
of Blanco and a drawing in the album of Bello. Stahl (1883, p. 148) had a male
in his collection taken on the island. Bowdish (MS.) says that they were
found on Mona from August 9 to 21, 1901, but he did not preserve specimens.
A perdiz, possibly of this species, was described to me near Palo Seco, but I
did not meet with it.

TEMMINCK’S QUAIL-DOVE. Geotrygon mystacea (Temminck and Knip).
PERDIZ.

A specimen in the National Museum, collected on Culebra Island February 9,
1899, by A. B. Baker, of the Fish Commission, is the only record of Temminck’s
quail-dove for this region (Riley, 1903, p. 14). None were found during my
stay on Culebra, and it may be that the bird no longer occurs there. It has been
previously recorded in St. Croix.

PORTO RICAN GROUND DOVE. Chemepelia passerina trochila Bonaparte.
ROuLA, ROLITA, TORTOLITA.

The ground dove is a common resident species on all the islands visited,
except Desecheo, being most abundant on Culebra. In Porto Rico it is rarely
found above 500 feet altitude, but in following inland along the courses of
streams it occasionally ranges up to 1,200 feet, as at Cayey and Lares. The
birds occur on stony hillsides, in plowed fields, brush-covered pastures, and open
country in general. They walk about quickly, with long steps and rapidly
nodding heads, picking up Seeds, bits of gravel, ete., as they go. Before an
intruder they walk rapidly away, raising the tail nervously, or after crouching
to the ground rise with a sudden flutter of wings and dart swiftly away,
exposing the red undersurface of the remiges. The birds are found in pairs,
or occasionally, before or after the breeding season, in small flocks. After
flying a short distance they drop to the ground or perch in rather open trees,
sitting close together. When alarmed they sidle quickly along the limbs, hiding
behind them, or suddenly take flight. The males utter a loud note, coo-coo-
coo-coo, when perched in the trees, and during summer these calls are answered
from every side. The males also have a habit of sailing out in short circles, with
wings stiffly spread, giving them an odd kitelike appearance.

The breeding season probably extends from the first of March to the last of
August, though on Culebra the birds remained in flocks until the 10th of April
before pairing. Nests on Vieques were large, deeply cup shaped, and contained
much material, while Porto Rican nests were slight and flimsy, so that in many
cases the eggs could be seen from beneath. Two eggs, white in color, form a

9767°—Bull. 326—16——4

50 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

set, and at least two broods are reared in a season. While the females were
incubating the males fed together, often in the yautia or cane fields. When
caring for their young the females feed in the early morning, filling the crop
with seeds, and then about 9 o’clock fly in to water, usually following well-
defined routes. After drinking they perch quietly in the trees, and in about
30 minutes the “ pigeons milk” forms as a thick curd, beginning in the lower
portion of the crop. After June flocks of a dozen or more young gathered by
themselves were common. They are said to have nested formerly on the
ground, but now they build almost entirely in trees to escape the mongoose.

This species is one of the few found in cane fields, and it occurs regularly,

even when the cane is well grown. ‘These doves are very timid and show great
fear of sparrow hawks, sometimes refusing to fly when they are in the neigh-
borhood. During the breeding season the males were found in early morning
teeding in the cane fields or else cooing from the hills, while the females were
above on the hillsides. When there was a heavy dew the birds were inactive
until 10 or 11 o’clock.

Food.—Seventy-two stomachs of the ground dove were examined and the food
was found to be almost entirely vegetable. Animal matter, though present in
10 stomachs, amounted to only 0.25 per cent and may be considered accidental.
Fragments of ants occurred in eight, while in the other two were spherical
shining scale insects known as ground pearls (Margarodes formicarum). These
are sometimes found loose in the soil, and from their appearance might be
picked up as gravel to aid digestion.

The belief common in some localities that these doves consume many insects
is not borne out by stomach examination. Like others of the pigeon family
having similar habits, ground doves are almost entirely granivorous. As an
instance of the unreliability of unverified field observations, I saw a bird on
Vieques Island March 30 hopping rapidly about in the small terminal twigs of a
muneco tree, apparently in pursuit of insects. After watching it for a minute
I collected it, and found to my surprise that it was a ground dove, and, on
examining the stomach and crop in the laboratory, found seeds only and not a
trace of animal matter.

Practically all the food, or, to be exact, 99.75 per cent of it, is composed of
seeds. These are picked up usually in cultivated fields, the borders of road-
ways, trails, and other open localities. Weed seeds, as the term is commonly
applied, form about one-fourth of this mass, though undoubtedly many classed
here as miscellaneous should come under this head. Purslane, lamb’s-quarters,
various other seeds of the goosefoot family, amaranth, caltrop, spurges, and
mallows are most commonly eaten, all of them noxious to the agriculturist.
Grass and sedge seeds form another great class, amounting to about one-third
of the whole. Crab grass and wire grass were taken frequently, and several
species of panic grass and sedges form the bulk of the remainder.

Wild fruits, figs, and species of Rubus amount to only 3.4 per cent, while no
grain or cultivated vegetable was found. The remainder consists of a mass of
miscellaneous seeds, euphcrbias, wild legumes, and seeds of various shrubs
abounding in the localities frequented by this dove. As many as 16 varieties
were identified in a single bird, counting the contents of crop and gizzard, and
sometimes there were large numbers of a single species. One bird had eaten
9,600 seeds of purslane and another more than 5,000. In one stomach 2,400
Egyptian grass seeds were found and in another 1,450 of the amaranth. Other
species were present in considerable numbers in each case.

Absolutely no harm is done to man or his interests by the ground dove, but,
on the contrary, a certain amount of goed is accomplished in the destruction of

4
|
;

ee OL TD eee ee ee a a

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 51

pernicious weeds. Although many ground doves are killed by sportsmen, the
species is too small to be considered a game bird, and because of its beneficial
habits it should be protected throughout the year.

Following is a list of seeds identified in the stomachs of the ground dove,
together with the number of stomachs in which found:

Many-seeded paspalum (Paspalum mil- Carpet weed (Mollugo verticillata)___- 1

LO ORGY) eee ee ee 1 | Verdolaguilla (Talinum paniculatum). 1
Other paspalums (Paspalum sp.) -----~ 7 | Verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea) _____~ 37
Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis) — SU PEReS alas CRALOILSe: SPs) ee ose es 1
Panic grass (Panicum fasciculatum)— 29 | Vetch (Vicia sp.) ---_--___________ 18
Panic grass (Panicum utowaneum)-_-- 1 | Wild bean (Phaseolus lathyroides)____ 2
Other millets (Panicum sp.) —-~------- ZA) We Wala eaeillay ((Oan HIS Osa ee 33
Broad-leaved olyra (Olyra latifolia) __ 1 | Caltrop (Kallstremia mazima)______- 19
Rush grass (Sporobolus indicus) _-_-_-- 1 | Euphorbia (Euphorbiacee sp.) _______ 14
Wire grass (Hleusine indica)________~ 30. 1 Spurge (Chamesyce: sp.)j222- 22 2 TK
Hegyptian grass (Dactyloctenium Jatropha w(SGtropna. Sp.) =—— = 3

COT DTV a SS ee ee PZ OT OCOM nO OUGIU AS Do) eee eee 5
Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens)_-~-~~ a | EN aivaC eset Spiers acak: aenloun UE eine ays Utes a ard) Dill
Fimbristylis (fimbristylis sp.) ----_-- 2 SCOVA AOSTACAS Ds) ee ee 28
Whitetop (Dichromena ciliata) _-___- 3 | Bretonica prieta (Melochia nodifiora) — 2
Nutarushy (Selena ysp))\e oe ee Sie PEL COUT EAC CSE cS ele tele 6
Sedven(Canee Spas sea aa ae ee 12 | Nightshade (Solanum, sp.) ___--_---_- 1
Sanguinaria (Tradescantia sp.) ------ a Nigua (hourneforntia (Sp) sean 1
Star grass (Hypogvis sp.) _----_-_--__- (an | plulanitensaCBlLantagoeSp) =e = ee 1
Wild fig (Ficus crassinervia) ________~ Oar kell lal Gaels SDs setae a a 6
Walditic: (ucus*sps) = 282 oo Se oe el Gherkine(Owenmisssp.) ee 3
Knotweed (Polygonum sp.) —~---------~ 3 | Concombre (Cucumis anguria) _—~----- 1
Goosefoot (Chenopodaceze sp.)_______ 19 | Dog fennel (Anthemis sp.) ——------_=— 2
Cenizo (Chenopodium album) _——~_____- 2 iM@COMpoOskteusp! Stes G Aas Soba 9
Pigweed (Amaranthus gracilis) _____~ uf

MONA GROUND DOVE. Chemepelia passerina exrigua Riley.
ROLITA, ROLA.

The subspecies of the ground dove found on the island of Mona (the type

locality) is reported by Bowdish, the original collector, as abundant there from

August 9 to 21, 1901. It has without doubt the same habits as the mainland
subspecies, but differs from it in being smaller and paler. No ground dove was
found on Desecheo Island.

PORTO RICAN DOVE. Zenaida zenaida lucida Noble.
TORTOLA, SANJUANERA.

The Porto Rican dove is common all through the region covered by this report.
On Porto Rico it is largely a bird of the cultivated valleys and lowlands,
roosting in clumps of trees, coffee plantations, or small areas of second
growth and flying down to feed morning and evening in the fields and citrus
groves. Its flight is strong and direct, and it flushes with a loud clapping of
wings. On the ground it resembles the mourning dove, as it walks quickly
about with nodding head, and has a cooing note almost indistinguishable from
that of the latter bird.

During the breeding season the males frequently sail out in circles, with
wings held stiffly, and their cooing notes come from the hillsides all day long.
Several times, while mating, males were seen walking rapidly about on the
ground near the females, striking at each other with their wings. Breeding
birds were taken in February and a young bird, not quite adult but able to fly,
was collected near Manati July 8. Although in some localities the birds nest
on the ground, here they must nest in the trees, or they would not be able to
hold their own against the mongoose.

1 Proc. New Engl. Zool, Club, V, Oct. 4, 1915, p. 101.

o2 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Between 9 and 10 in the morning the birds come to the streams and ponds
for water, usually in pairs, flying swiftly, high in the air. On the gravel bars
of the larger rivers they walk about quickly, quenching their thirst, and pick-
ing up bits of sand and gravel. Usually they are wary, but sometimes prefer
to hide at the approach of an intruder rather than fly.

Food.—As in the case of the ground dove, this zenaida dove may be con-
sidered entirely vegetarian in its diet. In 22 stomachs examined, animal matter
was found only four times. Two birds had eaten bits of the chrysalis of a
lepidopteran, one had found fragments of a bettle, and another had taken a
snail (Truncatella sp.), perhaps along with gravel. These combined amount
to only 0.86 per cent, indicating that this dove practically confines itself to
vegetarian fare. Seeds comprise its principal diet, only small quantities of
other vegetable matter, perhaps leaves, being found. Grass and sedge seeds
figure to a less extent than in the food of the ground dove, while there is a
corresponding increase in wild legumes, larger euphorbias, mallows, and others.
Seeds of knotweed, goosefoot, pigweed, and purslane were eaten, as well as
large quantities of caltrop and mallows.

One bird had secured grains of hedionda (Cassia occidentalis), which is used
as a substitute for coffee, and another had eaten seeds of a citrus fruit, perhaps
of an orange. The latter, however, were almost certainly taken from the
ground, not from the fruit itself, as this dove is incapable of tearing open
undecayed fruit. Three birds taken near Comerio had eaten rice, of the in-
ferior red variety, which may well have been picked up as waste. None of the
others examined had eaten grain, a strange fact when the habits of the bird are
considered. The birds were observed in the field eating fruit of the moral
(Cordia sp.), and pits of this fruit were found in two stomachs. On Vieques
Island they were said to eat other fruits, as do the larger pigeons, but no trace
of such was found. The little damage that they do in eating grain is more than
offset by the injurious seeds destroyed. ‘Thus the bird may be considered of
some value to the landholder, in addition to being a game bird of importance.
As this species frequents the open country, it is well able to adjust itself to
changing conditions and with proper regulations will remain a common game
bird. The same restrictions should be placed on its pursuit as on that of the
other large pigeons.

The following seeds and fruits were eaten by the zenaida dove:

Orange (?) (Citrus¢sp)=] =
Espino (Xanthogylum sp.) ---__-_____
Huphorbiaces -sp 2-2 ss eee eee
Jatropha (Jatropha sp.)_—_____ =
Malvaces-sp2k 22 28 ee
Escoba (Sida sp.) ----~ SS rae ae
Cadillo (Urena lobata) —--_________—
Passifioracess, Sp2_- 2 = eee
Adelia. (Adela (spj 2222S =e
Morning glory (Convolvulacee sp.)___
_ Nightshade (Solanum sp.) --------_-
Yerba mora (Solanum nigrum) —-__-__
Moral. (Cordia; sp) eee
Trumpet flower (Tecoma sp.) --_____

Lilanten (Piantago sp) See
Composit ‘spio ou So ee eee eae

Paspalum (Paspalum sp.)-----------
Panic grass (Panicum sp-) ==———-=-=—
Broad-leaved olyra (Olyra@ latifolia) -__
ATTOZ (OYSO SALVO) =e eee
NUE rush: (SclemG: Sp.) 2) oe
Knotweed (Polygonum sp,)—----------
Goosefoot (Chenopodacez sp.) —------
Pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) —---------
Verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea) ~~ ~~~
Cardosanto (Argemone sp.) —---------
Wemn aC GSSIGAISD.) ee ee
Hedionda (Cassia occidentalis) __-__-
WD ACER ESD a2 20 ee Ba ae ee 1
Welch (Vacig (Sp: i eee
Wild bean (Phaseolus lathyroides) ~~~
Yerba rosario (#schynomene sp.) ----
Caltrop (Kallstremia mazima) —_-_--~_

WNWwHREHN WHEN HOWF pH
A DD A DD RO 0c A

[MOURNING DOVE. Zendaidura macroura macroura (Linnsus).
TORTOLA.

The mourning dove has been variously attributed to Porto Rico, but has not been un-
questionably recorded. Ledru (1810, p. 208) has the earliest record and is followed by

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 53

Hartlaub (1847), who is quoted by Sundevall (1869, p. 601). Mr. Bowdish tells me that
in some way he confused this bird with Zenaida zenaida lucida, as the notes and actions
of the two are similar, so that his record (1902-38, p. 361) is not available. I watched
carefully for this species on the island and made many inquiries concerning it without
success. ]

WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. Columba leucocephala Linneus.
PALOMA CABEZIBLANCA, VIEQUERA, TORCAZA.

The white-crowned pigeon was formerly one of the most abundant species in
Porto Rico, but now is found only in a few localities. Gundlach (1878, p. 345)
spoke of it as very common in the seventies, but its numbers have undoubtedly
greatly decreased. The birds occur mainly near the coast, usually in dense
swampy growths, though one was seen near Aibonito; and the few small areas
of forest remaining in the lowlands may account for their diminution in num-
bers. Around Punta Picua, north of Mameyes, they were found preparing to
breed in the swamps, where the growth was so dense that it was hard to get
near them. They usually came out into the more open portions late in the
evening, to feed on the fruit of the icaco (Chrysobalamus sp.), but even then
kept well concealed in the thick leaves. The birds flushed with a loud clapping
of wings, and flew strongly, making wide sweeping circles, or darting swiftly
through the trees. In the heat of the day they perched in high trees over the
swamps, resting quietly on dead limbs.

The first of July they were fairly common in the dense brush near the lagoons
to the north of Manati. In May and June, when various fruits are ripe, they
gather in considerable flocks and visit regions where they are unknown at
other times. .

Food.—Five stomachs examined contained vegetable matter only, composed
of drupes and fruits of fair size. The icaco and berries of various palms
(palmo real and lluma) are favorites with these birds, while a tree known as
palo blanco (Drypetes sp.) is said to furnish them food in season. No culti-
vated crop is injured, the bird depending wholly upon wild fruits for its sus-
tenance. With the clearing of the remaining forest areas in the lowlands this
species will, without doubt, become practically extinct. At present, however,
it has a certain importance as a game bird, and for its protection the same
measures apply as for the scaled pigeon (p. 54).

The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

Palmo (Coccothrinagx sp.) _---------- TS Ha DAC Glen Rp ite een 2c ole Pee eee eee 1
Icaco (Chrysobalanus sp.)----------~- Zee eliaviCAdelia@asp:) a eee ee il
Icaco (Chrysobalanus pellocarpus)-—-~ il Morales (Condigesp.) = ee eee 1

SCALED PIGEON. Columba squamosa Bonnaterre.
PALOMA TURCA. -

The large scaled pigeon is resident in Porto Rico in the mountain regions, and
is common in the higher inaccessible portions where areas of forest still remain.
A few were seen on Vieques and Culebra, where formerly they were said to be
common. From all accounts they are abundant on Mona, and occur on Desecheo
also, at times in considerable numbers. In the dense forests covering. the slopes
of El Yunque de Luquillo, in the northeastern part of Porto Rico, great numbers
were noted. In the late afternoon and evening it was common to see them
circling high in the air near the Hacienda Catalina, while in the forests they
abounded up to 2,500 feet altitude. It was surprising how well 25 or 30 of
these big pigeons roosting in the thin foliage of a cacao rosetta tree (Sloanea
berteriana) managed to keep hidden. The ordinary call note was a loud,
strongly accented who hoo hoo, while a burring guttural hoo-o-o-0, given with
a throaty rattle, was almost startling when directly overhead. Many pigeons fed

54 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in the tall trees fringing small streams at the foot of the mountain, while
some were found in the dense swampy forests near Punta Picua, beyond
Mameyes.

It is commonly believed in Porto Rico that the scaled pigeon is found there
only as a migrant. This belief, fostered mainly by gunners who desire an open
season covering the entire year, is erroneous, aS was proven on March 8, when
on El Yunque three nests were found without special search, while there was
no doubt whatever that the dozens of birds flushing on every hand were breed-
ing birds. The three nests located were about 15 feet from the ground on hori-
zontal limbs, or on refuse piled on large air plants, and were made of sticks
loosely piled together. Two were empty, while one contained a single white
egg of about five days’ incubation. At Maricao on June 1 a native brought in
a young bird about two-thirds grown, and said it was the only one in the nest.
Gundlach (1878, p. 344) says that the birds lay two eggs, but from these in-
stances it would seem that a single egg in a set is not unusual.

Scaled pigeons are said to occur in fall in large flocks and to gather in great
numbers where certain fruits are ripening, and at that time many are killed.
There is, however, apparently some migration between the various Antillean
islands, as the number of birds on Desecheo Island, for example, is said to vary
greatly from one season to another.

Food.—Wild berries and fruits with an occasional succulent leaf or other
bit of herbage make up the entire fare of this pigeon. Ten stomachs reveal
vegetable matter only. The berries of various palms are favorite foods and
wild figs when in fruit draw large numbers of birds. The moral (Cordia sp.)
and jagua (Genipa americana) are eaten extensively and one bird had taken
quantities of a wild legume. All of the smaller wild fruits in season appear to
furnish food, and these are so abundant that cultivated fields are not molested.
The fruits eaten, though sometimes of comparatively large size and with hard
stony pits, are swallowed entire. The strong muscular gizzard of the bird
has a tremendous triturating power, however, and the fruits are easily crushed
and the meaty centers opened to the processes of digestion.

The paloma turca is the one game bird of importance in the inland region,
because of its large size and universal distribution. Hunting it may be con-
sidered true sport, as the birds are wary, strong of wing, and can be pursued
successfully only in the wildest, roughest country. It should be encouraged
by every means possibie, most of all by a close season extending from Feb-
ruary 1 to October 15, to allow ample time for rearing the young. In addi-
tion there should be a bag limit of not more than 10 birds for one day.

The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

Palma de Sierra (Acrista monticola)_—
Ramo (Cocco¢hnminas=sp)) =
Wild fig (Ficus crassinervia) —__~__—_-—
Wildsis Ciicus levigata) ===

HADACee esp. ee a a eee
Guaraguou (Trichilia sp.) _-___-_-+--_-

Lauraces spss ooo. eS eee
Storax (Styraz portoricensis)_______—
Nightshade (Solanum sp.) ~~-----___
Moral (Cordia*sp:) 222 eee
Jagua (Genipa americana) ________

ee et bo et Ht
ee ee

[RING-TAIL PIGEON. Chlorends caribea (Jacquin).
PALOMA.

Ledru (1810, p. 208) speaks of the ring-tail pigeon and Wagler1 includes Porto Rico in
its range. Gosse?. says that Maugé, the zoologist who accompanied Ledru, found the
species in flocks of many hundreds. It may have occurred formerly in Porto Rico, but no
specimens are known at present, and as the oid records are rather doubtful the species
must be considered hypothetical. ]

1 Systema Avium 1827, p. 46. 2 Birds of Jamaica, 1847, p. 296.

aS

Ne ES eye

a a

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 55

BLUE PIGEON. Chlorenas inornata exsul Ridgway.t
PALOMA SABANERA.

The blue pigeon is now rare in Porto Rico. Gundlach (1878, p. 343) found
a few near Lares in July and Stahl (1883, p. 148) had a female in his collec-
tion. They were reported to the writer several times and seemed to be found
in the coastal region, though no definite localities were known. As the name
was familiar to sportsmen, the birds doubtless have been shot in recent years.
This species should be included with the paloma turca in any restrictions upon
hunting (see p. 54).

SANTO DOMINGO PAROQUET. Conurus chloropterus (Souancé).
PERIQUITO.

Cory (1892a, p. 228) referred a paroquet taken on Mona Island by W. W.
Brown, jr., to the species Conurus chloropterus, and permitted the writer to
examine this bird and a small series from Santo Domingo. The specimen from
Mona unquestionably belongs to this species, though with further study it may be
differentiated as a subspecies from the Santo Domingan bird. Gundlach (1878,
p. 229) received three wings from Mona Island taken by Block, and these were
later described as C. gundlachi by Cabanis. Bowdish found no paroquets on
Mona, and the writer made careful inquiries when on the west coast among the
fishermen who visited Mona regularly, but could learn nothing regarding them.
One man claimed to have lived there a year without seeing them, though he
was able to describe the other birds of the island accurately.

There is reason to believe that at one time there existed a species of paroquet
in Porto Rico, but it has long been exterminated. According to the British
Museum Catalogue of Birds, it is represented by the type in the Paris Museum
and by an additional specimen at Leyden. Gundlach was told of a paroquet
formerly common in the eastern interior of Porto Rico and on Vieques Island,
but long since extinct. Stahl (1887, p. 448) says that some of the oldest in-
habitants had heard from their parents of this bird, but that it had disappeared
long ago. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 20) heard of its occurrence near Lares, but I
eould find no one who knew anything about it. There were numerous paro-
quets in captivity in Porto Rico, but they were either C. wagleri, from Venezu-
ela, or more rarely C. chloropterus, imported from Santo Domingo.

PORTO RICAN PARROT. Amazona vittata Boddaert.
CoOTORRA.

Vifteen years ago the parrot was a common species in Porto Rico and on
Culebra,’ but now has disappeared except in a few localities, mainly in the
northeastern portion of the island, on El Yunque and immediately around its
base. Twenty or more ranged through the dense, swampy forests north of

“Mameyes, perhaps 50 were seen around the west fork of the Rio Mameyes, a

number were heard calling in the dense forests covering the summit of El
Yunque itself, and they are said still to be fairly common around Preston’s
ranch above Naguabo. ‘They have practically disappeared farther west, though
reported from below San Sebastian, and Mr. Leopold B. Strube, of the Hacienda
Jobo, between Arecibo and Utuado, said that during winter 50 or 60 were found
on his plantation, though none nested there.

Near Mameyes parrots remained in the swamps during the day, coming out
to the borders morning and evening to feed, but when alarmed flew back imme-
diately. Sometimes a small flock fed in company with white-crowned pigeons

1 Proce. Biol. Soc. Washington, XXVIII, May 27, 1915, pp. 106-107.
2Mr. Ridgway has separated the bird from Culebra as Amazona v. gracilipes. (Proc.
Biol. Soc. Washington, XXVIII, May 27, 1915, p. 106.)

56 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in the tops of the trees, but from their green coloration the parrots were the
less conspicuous. Frequently they remained quiet in the trees for half an hour
or more and then flew out in sudden alarm.

Around El Yunque the parrots were somewhat tamer, as they were not
hunted so much, and a few were secured about a large clearing above the Rio
Mameyes. The birds were in pairs or small bands during March and were
then breeding. During early morning and evening they fed in the forest, but
in passing back and forth stopped in the high dead trees of the clearing. They
also came here to dry their feathers after the heavy rains that came at
intervals during the day. When it rained heavily on the mountain many birds
descended to the warmer valleys, returning when the weather cleared. The
eall note, given on the wing when alarmed, was a rapid, strident kdr, kar
that could easily be heard a mile away, and served to alarm the entire forest.
When feeding, low chuckling notes were frequently heard. In the trees the
birds watched intruders suspiciously or went through the characteristic pos-
turings of Amazona in captivity, swinging head down and then climbing back
by the aid of their bills.

These birds nest during March and April, and are said to lay two eggs,
depositing them in a hollow tree. ‘They are greatly sought after by the
natives, who keep the young as pets and teach them to speak a few words of
Spanish. Most of the captive birds on the island, however, are brought from
Santo Domingo. The adults also are hunted as game birds, and prized for
their flesh. Formerly when there were large forest areas on the island the
birds were very common and, traveling in large bands, damaged cornfields,
gonduros, ete. Men engaged in school work said that, as late as 1903, children
were frequently kept at home to drive the parrots out of the fields. The
handful remaining is now too small to do any great damage, and the birds
should be protected, or one of the most interesting forms will soon be lost from
the avifauna of the island.

Food.—The parrot seems to be almost entirely frugivorous, all of the wild
fruits being eaten in season. It is very fond of the wild fig (Ficus sp.)
and the jagua (Genipa americana), while in the swamps near Mameyes the
ground beneath icaco trees (Chrysobalanus sp.) was strewn with husks which
the birds had dropped. In eight stomachs examined, vegetable matter only was
found, seeds of tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) and allied species in the same
family (Burseraceae) greatly predominating. A bird taken near Mameyes
had eaten icacos (Chrysobalanus sp.) and its stomach contained also a few
bits of wood. In the birds secured on El Yunque the stomachs were usually -
filled with small seeds while the crops were distended with larger fruits and
drupes. The hard seeds in the gizzard seem to take the place of gravel used
by many birds as a triturating element, and while they serve to grind up
larger fragments are in their turn pulverized and utilized as food. Wherever
parrots were common the ground was always littered with seeds, bits of peri-
carp, and other waste matter which they had discarded.

[BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus erythropthalmus (Wilson).
PaJARO BOBO.

The black-billed cuckoo is of doubtful occurrence in Porto Rico. Gundlach included it
on the strength of a drawing in the album of Bello, who received the bird from the in-
terior of the island.]

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus americanus (Linneus).
PAJARO BOBO, PAJARO BOBO DH COSTA.

On August 27 a cuckoo heard calling in an almendra grove at Joyuda near
Cabo Rojo was secured as it sat in the sun on a low limb; it proved to be

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 57

the yellow-billed species. It was immature, and if not native must have been
on the island for several days, as it was molting badly, having but two tail
feathers. Another, thought to be this species, was heard August 31 near the
same locality, but could not be found. Gundlach (1878, p. 232) records the
species near Mayagiiez, Aguadilla, and Arecibo. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 364)
secured two near Aguadilla, May 18 and 20, 1900, and one on Mona, August 17,
1901. Thus the birds seem to be possible residents or regular migrants here
in small numbers. They have the habits of the mangrove cuckoo, and thus
far have been recorded only from the western end of the island, with the single
exception of Gundlach’s Arecibo record.

Food.—The only bird examined had eaten 15 caterpillars of two species and
8 sugar-cane root-boring weevils (Diaprepes spengleri). It is to be hoped that
a bird capable of doing so much good may become more common over the entire
island.

MANGROVE CUCKOO. Coccyzus minor nesiotes Cabanis.
PAJARO BOBO, PAJARO BOBO MENOR.,

The mangrove cuckoo is a tolerably common resident species in this region.
Many were found in mangrove swamps, coffee plantations, and in dense thickets
overgrown with vines along small streams; but being of retiring habits, they
were easily overlooked. In dry brush-covered areas, as on the smaller islands,
they were especially common. The call notes are loud and sonorous and
closely resemble those of the yellow-billed species. In the morning the birds
frequently were seen sitting quietly in the sun on dead limbs, sometimes calling
from these perches. Slow and methodical in their movements, they frequently
remain motionless for several minutes and seldom fly far. On March 25, birds
on Vieques Island were about to breed. The breeding season is of irregular
extent, but appears to continue until October.

Food.—Fifteen stomachs were available for laboratory examination, and in
these animal matter amounted to 99 per cent, Orthoptera and Lepidoptera
(nearly all caterpillars) forming the main bulk of it. The vegetable matter
(1 per cent) consist of a small quantity of rubbish found in one stomach
secured in February. The true grasshoppers (Locustide) form 50.31 per cent of
the food and occurred in 138 of the 15 stomachs examined. The eggs as well as
the insect itself are eaten, one stomach containing 32 of them. A cuckoo taken
on Culebra Island in April had eaten a single mole cricket, but this forms only
0.21 per cent of the total food. Walking sticks in four stomachs and a small
cricket (Hllipes minutia) in one make 8.1 per cent, and one bird had eaten a
praying mantis. Earwigs were taken by three birds. Cicadas (Proarno hila-
ris) in two stomachs and stink bugs in another form 6.09 per cent. Cater-
pillars occurred in nine stomachs and a moth in one, and together they amount
to 29.52 per cent. Not much can be said regarding these, as the island species
are not sufficiently well known, but undoubtedly they -are all injurious. It is
gratifying to learn that this cuckoo is as active in their destruction as are its
better-known northern congeners, the yellow- and black-billed cuckoos of the
United States. As is frequently the case with the northern species, several
stomachs were lined with caterpillars’ spines stuck in the walls of the stomach.
Various beetles, almost all destructive weevils, form 3.59 per cent of the food.
Scarred-snout beetles and a small curculionid (Rhyssematus sp.) were among
the most important beetles taken. Spiders form 4.06 per cent of the total,
and miscellaneous matter, fragments of a hymenopteran, a snail, and remains
of earwigs figure as 1.83 per cent.

The mangrove cuckoo, with its appetite for Orthoptera and injurious cater-
pillars, is one of the most beneficial birds of the island. It has been accused

58 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

without corroboration of eating other bird’s eggs, but at present no evil is
known of it. It will be noted that this is one of the few insectivorous birds
of any size on the island that do not prey more or less upon the abundant
lizards.

The following were identified in the stomachs of the mangrove cuckoo:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA.
WLUNE Sy MINUS ee i) Pyrophorus laminesus. 2 = ee 1
OFOCGHGRIS, CErCUrans= ==.) eee 21) LIMCRILOSCETICG eS a ce il
Scapteriscus didactylus________--__- 1 ouria: spl S22 a ee eee 1
Microcentrum triangulatum______-__- 2 |\"Gechnopuws*sp_2 2225) ies eee 2
NeEoconccepnauis sp ee 2 || Diaprepes -spengleri2. = 1
ARLODULS ACh OLS = aoe ee 1. | aehyssematus Sp 2 Ss eae 1
Callimantis antillarum —_—=---_______ pea |
ARACHNIDA.
HEMIPTERA. ADICULATIC Sp 2 ess ae eee 1
TRYGNtG. PeCvTattor. == ==> =e eee if eR
TEIN FE POE OO AL pO ae oe i Ee 2 | Subulina- spi. 22 ee eee ee it

VIEILLOT’S GROUND CUCKOO. Saurothera vieilloti Bonaparte.
PAJARO BOBO, PAJARO DE AGUA, PAJARO BOBO Magor.

The ground cuckoo is a fairly common resident species in Porto Rico. In
spite of its large size it is very inconspicuous, and its long tail, instead of making
it prominent, aids its protective coloration by giving it rather an unbirdlike con-
tour. In passing through the trees, the birds usually keep to the densest foliage
and make long pauses, during which they sit motionless or merely turn the
head slightly. In early morning they may be found in dead trees or on exposed
limbs, where they sit in the sun with drooping wings and ruffled feathers. They
are very tame and show no fear of man. Though seen occasionally on the
ground, they seem to spend most of their time in bushes and trees. The ordi-
nary call notes, heard frequently, are cuckoolike and resemble the syllables
cow cow, kuk krrk given disconnectedly. Sometimes a cuckoo would perch in
the top of a tree, giving a sonorous almost ravenlike note, and on one occasion
one was seen standing on a limb with trembling wings, giving utterance to a
low cooing note. In some localities the name “ pajaro de agua” was given them
because of the belief that they called only before an approaching rain—a
prophecy that usually came true. They were more common inland in the coffee
plantations, but were encountered in the swampy forest near Mameyes and
elsewhere near the coast.

A. and E. Newton* record one taken on Bieque (Vieques Island) by a col-
lector for Apotheker Riise, of St. Thomas, the only known record of the bird
outside the island of Porto Rico.

Food.—Tabulated results of examinations of 11 stomachs show 99.89 per cent
animal matter. A small percentage of vegetable rubbish was found in two
stomachs, but nothing that can be called true vegetable food was taken. Small
lizards make up more than three-fourths of the bulk, and a few spiders, Lepi-
doptera, and cicadas form most of the remainder.

Lizard remains occurred in 10 stomachs, and in many cases small ones were
found entire. Frequently, however, when torn in two, the contents of their
stomachs (ants and small beetles) usually mingled with the food of the bird
itself, so that care was necessary in Separating this material. Four species of
lizards were identified, but all the small ones found in the forests and coffee
plantations are eaten. They make 78.56 per cent of the food. Spiders, fre-

iIbis, 1859, p. 378.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 59

quently of large size, form 6.85 per cent, and cicadas (Proarno hilaris) 4.16 per
cent.- Caterpillars in six stomachs and moths in two together comprised 7.92
per cent. Coleoptera amount to only 0.92 per cent, and about half of this food
consisted of weevil remains, the rest of fragments of longicorns (Leptostylus
sp.) and a leaf beetle (Mesomphalia sp.). HEarwigs were eaten three times and
orthopteran remains occurred twice.

In-consuming such quantities of lizards this bird must be considered injurious,
though to some extent it makes up for this by a diet of pernicious caterpillars,
and in ease of serious outbreaks of these pests this cuckoo could do good work in
suppressing them. The bird is not common enough to make a reduction of its
numbers necessary, nor under present conditions will it become so. Though
many lizards are destroyed, they still hold their own. The ground cuckoo has
from all accounts diminished greatly in numbers in the last 40 years and is no
longer present in sufficient numbers to be of economic importance.

The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

HEMIPTERA. REPTILIA.
EOOLNOU RIOTS = eee eee At TIAN GUSS pes Behe 2 ey iets igs ole Secale 1K
Soe Cerin AM OUS: ChISTQLCUW Ss = a ee ee 1
2 DONA Eat ROH f ESO ee ST SS aE ED 2
TEENLOSTUUUS SD eee ae ee Th DAO OIG MOOT HIGKON Hee ee Se 1
MICSOMPNAUGAS Daa a ile | Astolisy stratwlus ss eee See 1
UR SSCMGLULS). SDs a oe eee ee ee ee af
ARACHNIDA.
hreraphosidsey ee ee 1

ANI. Crotophaga ani Linnezus.
J UDIO.

The ani is a common resident species in Porto Rico. These strange birds
are found in flocks of from half a dozen to 20 or more, principally in pastures,
but also in cane fields and orange groves, where they sometimes feed. In the
pastures they remain near the cattle, keeping ahead of them with long hops,
presumably to get the insects scared up. An intruder is greeted with a queru-
lous call, and the whole flock goes stringing off across the fields to perch in a
bush or low tree, where they crowd together and peer out curiously, their long
tails and arched beaks producing an odd appearance. In early morning, when
the grass is wet, they frequently sit with wings extended, drying them in the
sun. The wings are small for the size of the bird, and the flight, a series of
steady wing beats alternating with short sails, is not strong. In a heavy wind
the birds are almost helpless and seldom rise very high at any time. When
on the wing the back appears concave, as the head and tail are held higher.

On Culebra Island these birds fairly swarmed in the pastures. They are
said formerly to have been as common on Porto Rico, but to have lessened in
numbers greatly since the introduction of the mongoose. As they are much
on the ground the mongoose could surprise them often. In the heat of the day
they usually take refuge in the shade of dense clumps of bamboo along streams.
They also roost in these at night, as well as in the mangroves around the
lagoons. The ordinary call notes are a low kur-r-rk, and a querulous quee ick
quee ick varied by low chuckling notes. When the birds are at all wild they
serve to alarm the entire country, as they begin to call immediately upon per-
ceiving a strange object. Although they occur in the pastures in the higher
altitudes, they are not at all common except lower down.

The breeding season varies greatly. A female containing a fully formed egg
was taken near Rio Piedras December 20, and breeding birds or young in first

60 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

plumage were noted until field work was completed in September, so that
apparently they nest the year round. Although these birds often build com-
munal nests, this is not aways the case. Near Cayey, January 22, a pair were
seen constructing a nest in a tree about 30 feet above a small stream, the male
sitting on a limb above while the female was in the nest, as yet only a loose
mass of sticks and weeds, moving and turning to shape it to her body, her long
tail sticking nearly straight up in the air. July 25, near Bayamon, a single
bird slipped quietly from a bulky nest in a clump of bamboos and only its
mate appeared to join it. The nests seen ranged from 6 (Vieques ea to
30 feet above the ground and were all large and bulky.

On May 20, near Yauco, three anis were seen in a tree in which several
mozambiques had nests. The anis were right at the nests, and the blackbirds,
together with a pair of gray kingbirds, were much excited, but appeared to be
unable to drive away the intruders. The anis were evidently bent on robbing
the nests, and one was shot in the act of gulping down something, which was
found to be an egg. No other instances of this egg-eating habit were observed.

Food.—In 41 stomachs of the ani animal matter forms 91.3 per cent and
vegetable 8.7 per cent. Orthoptera make up the largest item of animal food,
with Coleoptera next, while large quantities of true bugs and caterpillars were
taken. Vegetable matter was made up almost entirely of seeds and wild fruits,
with a little rubbish secured with other food.

Animal food.—Orthoptera, the largest part of the food of this bird, form
41.58 per cent. Mole crickets (Scapteriscus didactylus) occur in five stomachs
and make 5.69 per cent, forming an important element of the food. Locusts
(Acrididze) were eaten 21, and katydids (Locustide) 24 times, and these, with
cricket remains in 6 instances, amount to 35.8 per cent. These are picked up
on the ground and are all injurious insects. Predacious mantids were found
in three stomachs, but compared with other Orthoptera form a very small
bulk. The largest quantities of Orthoptera are found from December to May
and the smallest in July and August.

Of Coleoptera, weevils (14.81 per cent) are the best represented, and are
injurious almost without exception. The one occurring most is the destructive
cane root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri), which was found in 14 stomachs and
amounts to 7.09 per cent. The adult weevil is common in pastures and fields
frequented by the ani and offers them an easily secured means of subsistence.
It is known to feed not only upon the sugar cane but also upon the roots of
orange trees. The larval form of this weevil, known as el gorgojo-barreno de las
vaices, is safe from bird enemies except at plowing time, but the adult is open
to attack at all seasons. The weevil stalk-borer, el gorgojo-barreno in los tallos,
was eaten once. A single predacious ground beetle (Calosoma alternans) was
eaten, aS well as two others (Selenophorus sp.), of doubtful character. Leaf
beetles amount to 3.61 per cent; among them a green diabrotica (Diabrotica
graminea), known to injure cane and various vegetables by eating the leaves,
was taken eight times. Miscellaneous beetles amount to 4.72 per cent and Scara-
beidze to 0.21 per cent, consisting entirely of small species (Aphodius and
Atenius). In this great mass of beetles only one ladybird (Cycloneda limbifer)
was found.

Squash bugs (Pentatomide) form 9.24 per cent and were present in 22 in-
stances. They are known to be more or less injurious and, unsavory and ill
smelling as they are, appear to be freely eaten by the ani. Miscellaneous Hemip-
tera form 1.22 per cent and are composed of Stray water boatmen and back
swimmers with a few predacious ambush and assassin bugs and others.

Caterpillars were found in 17 stomachs and moths in 7, and form 9.71 per
cent. In some cases almost an entire meal was made from caterpillars, one

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 61

bird alone having eaten 38. Spiders were taken freely, but amount to only
4.08 per cent. Strangely enough, no cattle ticks were found, though it is the
universal belief that the ani consumes many, and from that fact indeed is de-
rived its generic name.

Miscellaneous animal matter amounting to 1.45 per cent is composed of a wide
range of material. Fragments of a dragon fiy, a dipteran, and crustacean re-
mains each occur once. One stomach contained a peculiar flat platelike tooth
from some fish, and only two contained lizard remains. The bird, shot in the
act of robbing a blackbird’s nest, contained large fragments of eggshell.

The following were identified in the stomachs of the ani:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Schistocerca sp_-----------~--------- 5 | Cycloneda limbifer___._____.----___ 1
Schistocerca columbiana_--~-------- 1 | Monocrepidius bifoveatus_____-____-_ 1
Plectrotettiv sp--------_-__----_-__ GU Aphodius UvidUsen et te ee 1
Plectrotettiz gregarius_____--------- 2 Ateniws “stercorator... 2S eee 2
'omorocoryphus sp---------------- a Chlorida FESUUU CR eh epg ee iL
Conocephalus sp--—---=+--__-_---____ 1 | Diabrotica graminea_.______----____ 8
Neoconocephalus sp---------------- 1 | Ceratoma denticornis_______________ 2
Neoconocephalus macropterus__----~- SIME eva (Spee eee eee, SE). D)
Callimantis antillarum___---------~-- 1 | Coptocycla signifera________________ 3
Anurogryllus sp-------------------- Ll ChetocnenvGs Spe ane ees phe al
AnNUTOOryllus muticuses == == 2 ee Lg|] Majachrouse Sips 22s a ee 1
Gryllus assimilis__________-----____ | PRAY SSCMLATLS WSs ke eee ge 8
Scapteriscus didactylus__----------- 3 | Metamasius hemipterus______-----__ ft
HEMIPTERA. Lachnopus Sp--------~-------------- 4
Diaprenesmspenglcrin == ee 14
COU CS Dae es a ae ee ns Se 1
Notonecta sp-—------------------~-- 2 HYMENOPTERA.
ZG GITUS SS) Upp 5 ey Bie Be es Ue Beg Open 2
Phymata angulata___-_------------ lye Spilochalcisorspe see Sheet et 1
CORIZUST SD sae ee ey MC OCC TS Dee ens ere 1
COTOBintN@ Spoon 1 | Solenopsis geminata________________ 1
'SHOGHAIOOG HOB i ISO an sb | hall SOGRSY CC Pit) 6 YR I hth i, My i PD 1
EU CSS GS SP Eie = es ee eee rte ss Et ai 1
NICZORO (SD as ee Pee pe 3 ARACHNIDA.
EA. 0 DUS NSP ee 2 ee ee 2
MICAS Dee = es nee ee 2b || JLOTOOSEe Sasa ee ee ene 3
Ruyanta. perditore. 2s eee Or CO LYOpee sQliicus== =a =e iC
Margarodes formicarum ___------__~ ik | JOUR Vee Se 1
Al; (hOPEC NOR GECNL GL ee ee 1
COLEOPTERA. RE ee ee te 1
Calosoma alternanms—_-—-—_—-.=-____ 1
NELEHODNOMESHESD See ae eee ee 2

Vegetable food.—The vegetable matter (8.7 per cent) was made up largely
of the seeds of the cherrylike moral (Cordia sp.), which occurred in 15 of the
41 stomachs. It is doubtful whether seeds themselves appeal to this bird, as
there were few in the stomachs which did not have a more or less pulpy ex-
terior. The gizzard is hardly fitted for grinding up flinty seeds and in only
one stomach was a trace of gravel found. In the field the birds were seen
eating the icaco (Chrysobalanus sp.). None of the fruits taken are in any way
the product of man’s labor. The following seeds were identified in the stomachs:

Whitetop (Dichromena sp.)_-__- pay oa i eMoral(Corndia, spe 15
Palm (Coccothrinag sp.) -----_------ 1 | Concombre (Cucumis sp.) ----------~ il
Kspino (Xanthorylum sp.)_------- 4:5) "Composite: ‘spisiees rohit ak 1
Muphorbia ces ) Sp S062 1

Summary.—tThe judio or ani may be considered entirely beneficial, as it de-
stroys large numbers of highly injurious orthoptera, beetles, and caterpillars.

62 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The only evil that can be attributed to it is not appreciable when compared
with the services rendered: a few beneficial insects are destroyed and one bird
had robbed a blackbird’s nest, an occurrence believed to be exceptional. As a
whole, the bird is a valuable aid to the landowner and should be carefully
protected.

PORTO RICAN WOODPECKER. WMelanerpes portoricensis (Daudin).
CARPINTERO.

The woodpecker is common in Porto Rico and on Vieques Island wherever
there are trees large enough to afford it shelter. At present it is rather rare in
the coastal region, as the forests have been cleared for many years. In habits
end notes it strongly resembles the red-headed woodpecker of the United States,
and has many of the habits of that bird. The flight is strong and undulating,
as with other woodpeckers, and, while the birds are not wild, they are not easy
to approach if they suspect they are being followed. This is one of the few
species common in coffee plantations. The woodpecker finds a congenial home
in the trees shading the coffee, and searches their trunks constantly for insects.
Occasionally in the early morning, from January until May, they were heard
drumming a rapid tattoo on a dead limb.

The birds were seen excavating nesting holes in February, and apparently
deposited eggs from April 20 to May 1. At Yauco one nest was still empty
May 17. By May 29 a few young were seen on the wing near Maricao, and
from then on they were common. Adults were very vociferous and anxious
about the young and fed them for about two weeks after leaving the nests.
These birds apparently remain mated throughout the year. Woodpeckers were
often seen in early morning sunning themselves on dead stubs, as the red-heads
do, but, seemingly indifferent to the passing insects, they made no attempt to
eatch them.

Food.—In 59 stomachs of this woodpecker animal matter amounts to 65.83
per cent and vegetable to 34.17 per cent. Wood-boring larve, ants, and earwigs
form a large share of the animal matter eaten, and small wild fruits, with a
certain proportion of rubbish, make up the vegetable food. The material exam-
ined represented the food of all the months from January to August.

Animal food.—Earwigs (Forficulide) (8.55 per cent) were found in 40
stomachs, usually only the oddly formed tail forceps surviving the process
of digestion. Only one species (Phaulex albipes) was identified and it is ap-
parently common on the island. Not much is at present known regarding the
status of these insects, but it is possible that some of the larger tropical forms
may be of economic importance. Orthopteran remains (1.03 per cent) were
found in three stomachs only. One cricket was eaten. Larvze of wood borers
mainly of longicorn beetles were found in 32 stomachs and, with adult longi-
corns in 8 others, form 24.68 per cent. This woodpecker, frequenting the coffee
plantations, thus aids in ridding the shade trees, so essential to good crops of
coffee, of their pests. By means of its strong bill and long tongue it can uncover
and drag out these destructive larve, protected from other birds beneath the
bark. Weevil remains in 18 stomachs amount to 1.47 per cent and other Coleop-
tera figure as 3.99 per cent. Darkling beetles were found commonly, as many
of them live underneath bark. All were difficult of identification, as hard in-
sects are thoroughly broken up before being swallowed. Among the Hemiptera,
eaten by seven birds (4.16 per cent), were two stinkbugs (Pentatomidz) and
two cicadas (Proarno hilaris).

Next to the wood-boring larve, ants (10.37 per cent) form the largest single
item, being found in 42 stomachs, in several forming a large part of the con-
tents. One species (Myrmelachista ambigua ramulorum) found in 14 stomachs

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 63

is very destructive in coffee plantations, where it makes canals in the pith of
the new shoots of the coffee trees. When mature the shoots are frequently
weakened so that they break when bent down by the pickers, injuring the trees
and damaging the crop in many cases. One bird had eaten 81 of these ants, an-
other 100, and others contained smaller numbers. A few caterpillars amount to
2.49 per cent and spiders to 1.87 per cent. The little arboreal tree toad or coqui
(Hleutherodactylus sp.) was eaten by seven birds, and small lizard remains
occurred in five stomachs, together forming 6.17 per cent. Miscellaneous animal
matter (1.55 per cent) was made up of a single scorpion, whose sting was found
in the stomach, a centipede, a wood louse, and two snails. Thus the animal
food seems to consist almost entirely of material taken from the trunks of
trees.
The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

CRUSTACEA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Cywbarms sy_-———- = —_- = tS Platydema. spe iu wom Cet Ri Pek eed 2
ded HEVCLOP SiG SD soe eee) tere Steen ee a Spe eH 3
EUPLEXOPTERA. PUL DUR ae en ea 1
PRONE HOG XE 35 ee 2
HYMENOPTERA.
ORTHOPTERA.
SOLE OD SIS cS Dae a ee ee et 1
Leucophea surinamensis_______---~--~ AN) OTA GK OSUG), Sia ee a 3
Myrmelachista ambigua ramulorum_. 14
HEMIPTERA. Cardiocondyla emeryi__________---_-_ 1
} 7 7 UGS SEP, Be a
PO RO HIIAIGe ke ok Tel 9 Monomorium floricola if!
: : COMPDONOCUSTUStUNS 2 oe eee 2
(QOPUEDED (Sy OE io I 1
ARACHNIDA,
COLEOPTERA.
UUW GELS Soe =
MRO DUS KORDOKS eee ee ee 1 Ozyones : :
At@nius sp------~-~------------~-- 1 VERTEBRATA.
IECDLOSCULIEST SD oe a ee ee 1
MQVODMOUS “SOA aes ee eS eee ee tel Lessee eCrOOACUULUS = SD ee 7
MCMNNOCHUGie SD ae net ee ee 2 1S SA OUUS 2 SDE cee aes ae A ha Ty Se 3
ENE OTIOIMESUSDi= aa ee ee AD OVESs ICAL G Oe oe ee a ee itt

Vegetable food.—Seeds and small fruits form 24.93 per cent of the food and
vegetable rubbish, composed almost entirely of bits of wood, 9.24 per cent. The
berries of various palms and small fruits borne by rubiaceous shrubs, many of
which could not be identified, seem to be most relished. Fruits of the camacey
(Miconia sp.) and palo moro (Psychotria sp.) were discovered by field observa-
tions to be favorites, and below El Yunque one bird was seen picking at the
scales at the base of the fronds of a tree fern or jelecho (Cyathea arborea).
None of the fruits or seeds eaten are of commercial value.

The following seeds were identified :

Hspino (Xanthozylum sp.) ----------
Huphorbialcessy csp a ee ee
| Moral (Cordi@esps) eee eee

PANTE@ C8) CES otter sate Seem namin ce re Co A hi ol ek
Palm (Coccothrinag sp.) -.--_-___-~—
Palma de Sierra (Acrista sp.)—-----~
Walditic. (CRicus: Sps)i\m25 25 oe Ve aes
Hresa a (itwbus Sp.) 22-2222 ee

Oe Oe

COMPOST Lees pe I eae

bo OUbD &

Summary.—IiIn some localities the woodpecker damages coconut palms by
digging nesting holes in them. Water gathers in these holes and the trunk
decays until finally the tree is broken by the wind. As it takes these palms five
to seven years to mature, this means considerable loss. However, it was found
- that woodpeckers occurred in the palm groves only where areas of lowland

64 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

forest had been recently cleared, as at Punta Picua north of Mameyes, and
that in the older groves they had not been seen for many years. It appears,
then, that this is not a common habit with them, and that when discouraged
the birds do not return. So that on the whole the woodpecker is to be con-
sidered beneficial. The only representative of its family in the region, it occu-
pies a peculiar place in regard to insect pests, being able to combat those
safe from the attacks of other birds and to aid in reducing the numbers of
others less favored but none the less noxious. Where it does damage to the
coconut groves a reduction of its numbers may be countenanced, but elsewhere
it should be protected.

PORTO RICAN TODY. Todus mezicanus Lesson. : (PLATE I. Frontispiece.)
SAN PEDRITO, MEDIO PESO, PAPAGAYO, BARRANCOLINO, VERDADON,

The tody was common over the entire island of Porto Rico, usually being
absent, however, from the lowlands and never reaching clear to the coast. It
frequents dense forests, coffee plantations, or the brush-covered banks of
streams in damp localities, but is also common in the dry hills of the south
coast where there is no water. Though brilliantly colored, this little bird is
very inconspicuous, the green of the back resembling the vegetation, while
in the coffee plantations even the bright red of the throat may be mistaken for
a ripe coffee berry. Todies are tame little fellows, keeping usually in the low
growth and coming up almost within arm’s reach. On warm mornings, after
a day and a night of fog and rain, they are found in the trees above the brush,
and then their true numbers may be appreciated. When perching they sit
nearly upright, the large bill at an angle of 45°. The ordinary note is a loud,
harsh pree or pree-ah, entirely disproportionate to the size ofthe bird. In
calling it rises to the full length of the legs and points the bill up. Another
habit is to fly out with a loud whirring rattle of the wings, apparently made by
the attenuate outer primary. This is under the control of the bird, as some-
times the flight is noiseless. The sound is made by both sexes, mainly from
January to June, but is seldom heard after the breeding season.

This little bird is one of the few species common in the dense forests on El
Yunque, though here the fogs and heavy rains seem to subdue them somewhat,
and only occasionally do they break out into their loud notes. They are said to
begin nesting the first week in March, and birds taken then showed earth stains
on the plumage. Apparently the eggs are not deposited until May or June,
the young birds being common in July. The first nest seen was near Yauco on
May 24. A bird flew up from the face of a cut bank in a dry pasture, and on
examination the entrance to the nest was found, a hole about 14 inches in diam-
eter, Showing the double path of an occupied nest. The tunnel went straight in
through the hard earth for 10 inches, and then turned at a right angle, going
8 inches farther to the terminal chamber, a cavity 3 inches high, the same in
width, and 5 inches deep. This nest contained three eggs, laid on the bare
earth, of a size that was astonishing, considering the smallness of the bird.
Each one was worked into a little hollow in the loose earth so that it was
partly embedded, but even then it must have been a task for the female to
cover them. They were a beautiful transparent white, showing a rosy reflection

before blowing, and dull white afterwards. Another nest found in a claybank
near Maricao June 8 consisted of a hole 14 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep
leading into a circular chamber 3 inches across. The nest contained two. eggs,
so stained by the red clay that they appeared to be densely spotted. Young
were first seen near Quebradillas July 5, and after that were common. At first
their throats are plain, but red feathers soon appear, and then they resemble

ee et ee
ri

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 65

adults except for the shorter bill. The usual color of the iris in this species is
grayish white, but in many it was plain slate.

These little birds are very active flycatchers, always watching overhead
for insects, and capturing them on the wing with a loud snap of the bill, or
picking them from the underside of leaves. In dry areas they frequently feed
actively about the tips of twigs, and work through more open localities than is
their usual habit.

Food.—In 89 stomachs of the tody, animal matter forms 97.62. per cent and

‘vegetable 2.388 per cent. Flies, beetles, and small lantern flies form the most

important elements of the animal food, and a few seeds compose the vegetable
matter. In so small a bird the insects taken are of necessity of minute propor-
tions, and from field observations little could be learned save that they seemed
to feed to a considerable extent upon ants and small Homoptera.

Animal food.—Forty-nine of the birds taken had eaten odd, forcep-tailed ear-
wigs, creatures of uncertain habit, and these form 9.4 per cent of the total.
Orthoptera were seldom taken and amount to 2.28 per cent. The larger part
of this is made up of grasshoppers, in six stomachs, while single birds had
eaten a roach, a locust, and a mantis, all of small size. Small Homoptera, all
of great economic importance, form 9.28 per cent. Small lantern flies (Ormenis
sp.) are known to attack the young shoots of coffee, while leaf hoppers (Tet#-
tigonia sp.) are injurious to small crops and undoubtedly to larger trees. Other
Hemiptera (1.11 per cent) comprise a miscellaneous assortment of ambush
bugs, stinkbugs, and scale insects, the last two each found five times. The red
scale (Lecanium sp.) was among those taken. Caterpillars in 9 stomachs and
moth remains in 18 form 5.21 per cent. Though remains of Diptera figure as
80.88 per cent and were eaten by 65 birds, they were so broken and ground up
that further identification was usually impracticable. Mosquitoes were identi-
fied certainly in one case and doubtfully in several others. They are, however,
so easily broken up that they readily escape notice.

Beetles combined amount to 23.44 per cent, but the only useful ones found
are ladybirds (Coccinellide). Though these occur in 21 stomachs, they amount
to only 1.59 per cent of the total food. Snout beetles (6.47 per cent) were
present in 46 stomachs. These can without doubt all be classed as injurious
and alone more than outweigh the useful beetles eaten. Leaf beetles—Chrys-
omelidz—(8.55 per cent) were present in 42 of the stomachs examined. Dia-
broticas and flea beetles of several species were the most common, and with them
were others of uncertain economic position. As a whole, however, this family
and the longicorn beetles (4.87 per cent) are to be considered injurious. The
Hymenoptera eaten (4.33 per cent) weigh in the balance against the bird, as
they are composed largely of parasitic chalcids and ichneumon flies. One pecu-
liar sawfly, a plant-feeding species, with curiously forked antenne, was found.
Though many ants are consumed, one of their principal parasites (Kapala sp.)
is eaten freely, being found in nine stomachs. Spiders in 88 stomachs amount
to 8.17 per cent. Among the most unexpected discoveries were the remains of
tiny lizards in five stomachs, and one can well imagine a vigorous struggle be-
tween this diminutive bird and some active anolis which objected to being
swallowed. These with a few insect eggs amount to 3.52 per cent,

9767°—Bull. 326—16——5

66 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following were identified in the tody stomachs examined:

Eco mH et I

ORTHOPTERA. { COLEOPTERA—continued.
PUCCLODLET. NOCYt =~ = a es 1 | Dicbrotica gramincas 8 see 3
ID GUACO SP a Bae eae Wh if:
HEMIPTERA. Guiptindsp ee ee 1
LeGuGgOniG Sp 8 a a 14 AS .6
Pettigonia occatoria .___-——__ = ss 1 EE ue Tay on 2 Pou ee 4
Chai te g | Physimerus sp_--------------------- 2
‘ Calandra. spec ee eee 2
DISTES SA a 1 Platypus sp oe
MUCZOCEDRGLUS: SP 222 es ee ees 1 Eppa caghg Se pe es an
UMC SD. = ee 1 DIPTERA.
Geocorisisp = 2) Se en ee ee 1
TW CCONWUNUSD 22 SSS See ea eee PAP silopus' sp kes Ss ee Se ee
Eristatisisp 22 2 et eee ee
COLEOPTERA. Tetanops Spas. 26a et
PUPESEG SPS Daas ere a eae eres een
EUG OCHAS SDS ee a sears sn ie a Simulium quadrivittatum —.___________
IBCLOSUSISD 2 SS eee ee ee 2
Cyclonedauimoie === eee 1 HYMENOPTERA.
SGYMNUS FOSC1COll Ss eee 1
SCYMNUUES SP 2 ae Sa ate ase ee LO*|| Kapaa sp 22 ea os eee 9
HOCCTUS ESD Ss Se eee es ee LS |e FLY CI@IS pee re ee a ee ree ee ee eee 1
NENEVTAOIA ESE SD eee le|i(NOLENODS7S SDE = aes Ree ae ak
MACTOTNGGUSSS Pe rae eee 1 | Solenopsis geminegte= es es il
Tylocerws: Sp==— 2 <== Se ee fl MCChOMischa: Ss) eee al
Catoramasp==2 eS ae eee 1
AEONAUSISD RO aT Bn INE: Chae O, 1 ARACHNIDA.
A tenius OT GCS 22 ee _ Mogrus ap LI eee 1
TDR) Vets oh Se ee ee oe Begeirasps Go i eh aa eee 1
TE CDLOSCUULSI S|) 2 i ee a es 3
DE DINE 3 Da eS 1 VERTEBRATA.
CnyuPLOCCDRGUISISp = ees ae 14
Cryptocephaluis, pUsio == 22s eee 1 |Anolis spyihtes es ee eee 4
DE COGOUCES Pe ee Le we! al

Vegetable food.—Little can be said regarding the vegetable food of the tody,
as it is insignificant in volume. A small quantity of rubbish was present and the
rest was composed of seeds found in 15 stomachs... None of those taken are of
much importance, and they must be considered unaccustomed food for a bird
otherwise insectivorous in its habits.

The following seeds were identified :

Wal diets GHiCUSaS Ds) eee ee ee Le 1 |] Espino (Xanthozcylum sp.)----------~ 2
Cenizo (Chenopodium sp.) —~-~-------- i) Rubiaces sp SS pe eS sre

reson (Re wOuS eS) ee a eee i

Summary.—Though considerable numbers of beneficial Hymenoptera and
predacious ladybird beetles are eaten by the tody, they are more than counter-
balanced by the great numbers of injurious lantern flies, leaf hoppers, beetles,
and flies destroyed, and on the whole the bird is markedly beneficial. Its good
work is confined largely to coffee plantations, and these fortunately will always
furnish it shelter and protection. With encouragement it might in time come
into the more open citrus groves, but at present it is largely limited to their
borders. It should be given absolute protection in all localities.

BELTED KINGFISHER. Ceruyle alcyon alcyon (Linnzus).
MarRTIN PESCADOR, PITIRRE DH MANGLE, MATRACA, FRAILE MIGUELETE.

The belted kingfisher is a common winter resident near the coast, about
lagoons and bays and along the larger rivers. It does not commonly go far
inland, though one was seen along the Rio Caguitos near Caguas on January
10. Gundlach (1878, p. 218) records it as arriving from the north in September, ~

.
:
$
‘
.
id
x
/
4

tame py eee ee

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 67

and the last one I noted on Culebra was on April 21. The bird feeds on small -
fish, crawfish, ete., and occasionally one was noted about dry open spaces bor-
dered with mangroves, where it was probably seeking small crabs. It occurs
singly and is rather wild.

Food.—Of three stomachs examined one was entirely empty. The other two
were taken at Mameyes in February, and in one were found remains of a
crawfish, while the other bird had eaten a short chunky fish 3% inches long,
seemingly too large for so small a bird to swallow. Under present conditions
the kingfisher can not be considered as directly injurious and should be
protected.

PORTO RICAN SHORT-EARED OWL. AsSio portoricensis Ridgway.
MUcarko REAL, MUCARO DE SABANA, MUCARO DE MELON, CorugA, LLORONA.

The Porto Rican short-eared owl is found only on the island for which it
is named, and at present is almost extinct. Natives reported it as occurring at
rare intervals in the grass fields of the lowlands at Rio Piedras, and it was
also heard of among the lower foothills above Mameyes, near Salinas, Utuado,
and Lares, where it was found in almost impassable growths of creepers and tree
ferns. Near Utuado it was said to live and nest in small caves on the steepest
hillsides, coming out only at night. One was said to have been captured there
in the early summer (1912). Near Lares the natives believe that at night
these owls swoop down upon an unsuspecting pedestrian, seize his hat, and
earry it off into the ‘‘malessa’”’ for a nest. This bird is no longer present in
sufficient numbers to be of economic importance, and being a terrestrial species,
its decrease must be laid to the mongoose. This species certainly has not been
common within recent times, as Gundlach (1878, p. 165) did not see it in the
seventies when he was on the island. He reports it from Toa Baja, Furnias,

-and Lares.

BARE-LEGGED OWL. Gymnasio nudipes nudipes (Daudin). (PLATES V and VI.)
MUCARO.

The little bare-legged owl is fairly common over the island of Porto Rico, but
from its nocturnal habits may be easily overlooked. It was found most often
in the coffee plantations in the hills, but was seen on the coast near Mameyes,
and was reported from other localities. On the south coast it does not appear
to be common.

During the day the birds roost in thick clumps of leaves, and are rather
stupid, so that the natives frequently catch them by slipping a noose about the
neck. The flight is swift and noiseless. Early in the evening their call is
frequently heard, low and tremulous like that of a screech owl. It is given
most often from November to May. When the bird is frightened or excited, its
note is a loud boo boo like that of a burrowing owl. The small birds of the
forest often discover this owl hiding in the leaves, and make a great fuss, but
the owl remains motionless until they become tired and leave it. Near Maricao
one flew out from a hole in a tree attracted by the calling of a wing-tipped
vireo, and sat on a limb peering about until it was collected. From this hollow
a young bird a week old covered with grayish white down was taken. The
nest was a damp cavity, 6 or 8 inches deep, with two or three epiphytes grow-
ing before the entrance. May and June would seem to be the breeding months,
as other young birds almost fully fledged were taken at Lares during June.

At Lares three were purchased alive, one of which was kept in captivity for
four days, the others for a shorter period. The first was a peaceable little

fellow, and allowed himself to be handled, stroked, or carried without attempt-
ing to bite or scratch, and stared about with big eyes, as though in constant

68 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

wonder. On the second day of his captivity two more mucaros were secured,
an adult female and a young bird, fully feathered. The young bird was intro-
duced into the cage first, and the ‘earlier occupant objected vigorously with
sharp, barking notes, glaring down at the frightened intruder, which cowered in
a corner. When the other adult was put in, however, it was too much, and
the original bird, grasping it with one foot, began pulling out feathers with
claws and bill while the stranger was too startled and dazed to attempt to
defend itself. These birds were kept in a darkened room and were quite active
during the day.

While the natives claim that the little owl does much damage to the eoffee
crop by biting the ripened berries, sucking the juices from the sweet inner skin,
and then letting the berry fall, most of them admitted upon close questioning
that no one had seen the birds doing this. The only known facts seem to be
that the owls are heard calling in the coffee plantations at night, and in the
morning the berries are found on the ground. The better-informed growers
attribute the damage to rats, probably the real culprits. The matter was tested
with the captive birds, and though it was only the latter part of June, enough
ripened berries were found for the purpose. These were carefully counted and
inspected, and for two days the first bird was offered nothing but coffee ber-
ries and water. At the end of this time the berries remained untouched, though
the bird drank freely, and hunger made it very restless and active. It was then
offered a large green grasshopper and a honey creeper. The former was swal-
lowed at once, while the bird was carefully plucked, a process consuming 20
minutes, and then pulled apart and swallowed. For another period of two
days the bird was given nothing but coffee berries and water, with the same
result. Similar experiments with the other birds produced similar results.
These experiments would seem to show that these individuals at least had no
taste for coffee. In other localities, as at Mameyes, these owls were accused
also of eating gonduros (Cajanus cajan), a species of legume, but without proof
of any kind. The damage in this case was probably also due to rats.

Food.—Only five stomachs of the little bare-legged owl are available for ex-
amination, but the results are interesting. The food, as might be expected, is
entirely animal. Orthoptera (14 per cent) comprises roaches, crickets, grass-
hoppers, and one mantis. One stomach examined was filled entirely with
roaches, but this was not used in tabulation, as it was obtained from a native,
and among the natives it is common to keep these birds in houses, where they
feed extensively on roaches. One bird had eaten a mole cricket (Scapteriscus
didactylus), a food which at night should be easily found by owls. Caculos
or May beetles (Lachnosterna sp.), so destructive in many localities, were found
in three of the five stomachs and amount to 24.4 per cent. One bird had eaten
eight of them. Feeding at night, the little owl is peculiarly adapted to secure
them, and with its capacious stomach can destroy large numbers. Cane weevil
root-borers (Diaprepes spengleri) were found in two stomachs and amount to
1.8 per cent. Other snout beetles, mainly scarred-nosed weevils (Otiorhyn-
chide), amount to 1.2 per cent, and miscellaneous beetles, longicorns, click
beetles, and dung beetles form 8.4 per cent. Lepidoptera (7.8 per cent) are
represented by a caterpillar eaten by one bird and moths taken by two. Lizards
(10.8 per cent) were eaten by four birds, and evidence keen sight on the part
of the owl. In two stomachs were found birds (17 per cent), one of which was
a redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) and the other a Carib grassquit (Tiaris b.
omissa). Miscellaneous animal matter (14.5 per cent) was composed largely
of scorpions, which were swallowed, sting and all, and odd fragments of Hemip-
tera, none of them of much importance.

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE V.

B2130-41

BARE-LEGGED OWL, OR MUCARO (GYMNASIO NUDIPES NUDIPES).

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. es PLATE VI.

Si:

B603M

STOMACH CONTENTS OF A BARE-LEGGED OWL, OR MUCARO (GYMNASIO NUDIPES
NUDIPES.)

The food of one mucaro consisted of 11 May beetles (Lachnosterna sp.) besides other insects
and lizards shown in the two lower piles of fragments.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 69

No trace of coffee, or, in fact, any vegetable matter, was found, thus con-
firming the results of the experiments detailed above. In the light of these
data the mucaro must be held guiltless of injury in the coffee fincas. That
these owls eat coffee berries appears like many other beliefs to be more tradi-
tion than anything else, and even some of the gibaros (hill people) admit that
the belief has no foundation in fact,-as is witnessed by a stanza in one of their
songs.’

Though to a certain extent destructive to other birds, the fact that the bare-
legged owl feeds so largely on May beetles and injurious weevils places it in the
category of beneficial species. As an enemy of the caculo (Lachnosterna sp.)
alone it merits full protection and conservation.

The following were identified in the stomachs examined :

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
JA MIO DIOLS) Ve ee | Lentastylus spe Ba ee 1
Anurogryllus muticus__.—------------ LS. aChnopus Sprsoe eee er ee ls Sees 1
Scapteriscus didactylus_____--------- ie aprencsrspengleri= os =) as Se eee 2
HEMIPTERA. ARACHINIDA.
Prow;no MCE UIS Se ee i OCentrurus EY 0 Fafa Oe eu i oe ee crn Ns 1
COLEOPTERA. Isometrus maculatus ~~~.» $e 1
Pyrophorus luminosus__—_—---------- 2 wed Nis te
ROGONEEO Spe ee ee al
Atenius stercorator __-___-~---—--~-=—- Ae | cARnOTES) Seto ee oan eae ee 4
WOCKNOSLEDN GSD 2 ee 4 | Setophaga ruticilla (redstart)_---_~~~_ il
CONT DS OS) ae ee eee 1 | Tiaris b. omissa. (Carib grassquit) -___ 1

CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW. Antrostomus carolinensis (Gmelin).
CAPACHO, GUABAIRO..

The last of December I saw a chuck-will’s-widow in a small second-growth
forest above the experiment station at Rio Piedras, and on January 11 Sefior
José J. Monclova, of that town, gave me a fine specimen. These birds are
apparently rare but regular winter visitants to this region. Bowdish (1902-3,
p. 865) records them from Vieques Island, December 15 and 28, 1899, and Gund-
lach (1878, p..201) had one from Coamo Springs, and one from Arecibo in
February, 1876. Stahl (1883, p. 61) says that they are very rare migrants.

Food.—The stomach of the single bird noted above was entirely filled with
animal matter. The only thing that could be identified was a May beetle
(Lachnosterna sp.), amounting to 15 per cent. From what is known of its
habits in the North this species should feed on all of the common nocturnal
beetles and moths.

WHIP-POOR-WILL. Antrostomus vociferus vociferus (Wilson).
GUABAIRO CHICO, GUARAIBA,

The only known species of the whip-poor-will from the island is a female
taken by Clark P. Streator for Cory (1889, p. 276). I flushed a bird from a
stump in the small forest above the experiment station at Rio Piedras Decem-
ber 23, 1911, and felt certain it was of this species. It is a very rare migrant.

CUBAN NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus minor (Cabanis).
CREGUETE, CAPACHO, QUEREQUETEC, COMPACHO.

According to Stahl (1887, p. 451), the Cuban nighthawk is a rare summer
visitant, arriving in April and leaving in October, and nesting on the island.

1Abre mficaro los ojos;
Otro pajaro te engano.
Otro espipita el café,

Y tu trapao en la rama!

70 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

In his list of birds published in 1883 Stahl simply remarks (p. 61, that it is a
migrant. Gundlach (1878a, p. 172) saw the species flying at Vega Baja, Do-
rado, and Bayamon; and Bello secured one at Mayagiiez. Dr. C. W. Richmond
(MS.) examined a specimen from the Stahl collection in San Juan in 1900.
Sundevall (1869, p. 600) lists one in the collection sent by Hjalmarson. I did
not see or hear of this bird.

GILT-CRESTED HUMMINGBIRD. Microlyssa exilis exilis (Gmelin).
ZUMBADOR.

The beautiful gilt-crested hummingbird was fairly common on Vieques Island
March 16 to April 8 and one was taken on Culebra April 12. Sundevall (1869,
p. 600) has recorded the species from Porto Rico, but according to Gundlach
(1878, p. 224) specimens received from Hjalmarson are of uncertain origin
and may possibly have come from St. Bartholomew. Hjalimarson himself was
uncertain as to the exact locality.

Food.—in seven stomachs examined, animal food amounted to 100 per cent.
Small homopterous remains which were found in one. stomach made up 14.29
per cent, and flies in another, 5 per cent. Hymenoptera, among which were
many fragments of ants as well as small parasitic species, were found in three
stomachs and amounted to 26.42 per cent. Remains of small spiders (Oxzyopes
sp. and others) constituted 54.29 per cent. The small Homoptera taken are all
injurious, but the parasitic Hymenoptera are beneficial. It was impossible, how-
ever, to determine just which of the hymenopterous insects were actually pre-
dacious and which were tiny flower-loving wasps and bees of no economic im-
portance. The spiders, though predacious, can do as much harm as good,.so
that this hummer may be considered of no great economic importance but
worthy of preservation because of its small size and beauty.

[RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. -Archilochis colubris (Linnzeus).
ZU MBADOR.

Gundlach includes the ruby-throated hummingbird in his list, from a picture seen in
Bello’s album, but there is no other record. He mentions (1878, p. 226) a hummingbird
sent him by Blanco in 1868 that resembled the female of this species, but had a tail like
that of ‘‘ Lampornis” (Anthracothoraz). There is no certain basis for including it
among the birds of Porto Rico.]

PORTO RICAN EMERALD, FORK-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD. Chlorostilbon
maugei (Audebert and Vieillot).
ZUMBADOR, ZUMZUM, COLIBRI, ZUMBADORCITO.

The small fork-tailed hummer is mainly a species of the coffee plantations in
high altitudes, though on the dry south side of the island it ranges to the coast.
These birds were frequently observed ‘searching over and under the limbs of
the trees and about the leaves and twigs of the coffee. They were seen in the
coastal region at Manati only, on the north coast, and not again until Salinas
was reached. In the eastern portion of the island they were found only on
El Yunque, where they occurred sparingly up to 2,500 feet elevation, and were
not seen again in the eastern portion until one was noted above Cayey.
They are most abundant on the western end of the island from Aibonito west.
Preferring deep shade, they use low perches in coffee trees, only going up to
perch on dead limbs in the sun on cool, damp mornings. Their humming was
heard many times when the birds themselves could not be located. On shaded
slopes high in the mountains they sometimes fed in the open, among the low
bushes. They are yery pugnacious and pursue each other with sharp, squeaking
notes.

The breeding season begins apparently the first of February, and full-grown
young were common near Lares in June. The adults molt in May and June,

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 71

and regain the full plumage by the first of August. The two long outer tail
feathers in the male are very loosely affixed and easily lost. In young males
the flesh-colored base of the mandible is less sharply defined anteriorly than in
adults.

Food.—In 35 stomachs examined, representing the period from January to
August, nothing but animal food (100 per cent) was found. In 5 stomachs
were bits of sand and earth, forming considerable bulk in one or two cases.
Lantern flies (Fulgoridze) amount to 21.64 per cent, and other small homopteran
remains, largely made up of the same forms but so badly broken as to be inde-
terminate, come to 12.76 per cent. Diptera were commonly eaten and amount
to 15.64 per cent, and among the flies taken one mosquito was identified.
Hymenoptera (6.28 per cent) were found in 9 stomachs. Small spiders,
many of them immature specimens, were eaten constantly and form the largest
single item in the food, 43.5 per cent. A little indeterminate animal matter
comprises 0.18 per cent.

In consuming large numbers of small Homoptera, all injurious species, this
tiny hummingbird does good work in coffee plantations, and, disregarding the
spiders, the only beneficial insects in its food were the few Hymenoptera. As
these are greatly outweighed by the injurious species destroyed, the bird may be
eonsidered beneficial.

The following were identified in these stomachs:

HOMOPTERA. ARACHNIDa.
(DOR DOS, Serer Se a CDSE oe ara on cae a ho 1
DIPTERA. FLD CUT Cal SD CE IE LD 2
ESOU EOI RSG? ISH 0) fe 10 se AR LR ia are il
FANG TOAIU YS CES SSS Poor a i a al
iPsilopws -sp_2— = a sp eee 9b 4 |

GREEN CARIB, BLUE-BREASTED HUMMINGBIRD. Sericotes holosericeus holo-
sericeus (Linneeus).
ZUMBADOR.

The large blue-breasted hummingbird was common on Vieques, Culebra, and
Culebrita Islands. Hjalmarson had two in his collection taken at Manati and
Vega Baja (Gundlach, 1878a, p. 160), and these arethe only records for Porto
Rico itself. On Vieques it frequented the small areas of forest, and on Culebra
was found in the mangroves about the bays. Although of swift flight, this bird
does not seem so active as the other hummers, for while feeding it clung to
flowers or twigs with its feet, or when this was impossible stopped frequently
to rest.

Food.—The food of this hummer, as shown by 22 stomachs taken in March
and April, was entirely animal. Small bits of vegetable rubbish were present
in two cases, but amount to only 0.383 per cent. Small Homoptera, largely lan-
tern flies (Fulgoride), and a few leaf hoppers, amount to 14.83 per cent. Ano-
biid beetles (Catorama sp.) of no particular importance were eaten twice, and
these with one small weevil make up 0.83 per cent. Flies were commonly eaten
and come to 7.14 per cent. Minute Hymenoptera, however, form the great bulk
of the food and figure as 64.63 per cent, while small spiders come to 11.31 per
cent. The balance (1.07 per cent) was composed of miscellaneous animal matter.
Although large numbers of small Hymenoptera are eaten, itis possible that only
a part are parasitic. All are undoubtedly picked up while searching flowers,
and so perhaps are flower-feeding species of no economic value. They were in
such condition as to preclude certain identification. These small insects fairly
swarm about the blossoming mufiecos and gonduros on the dry islands and offer
an abundant food supply. This hummer, like the gilt-crested species, may be

72 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

considered neutral until more is learned of the life histories and habits of the
smaller little-known tropical Hymenoptera. In consuming numbers of injurious
Homoptera it does a certain amount of good and in the destruction of flies it is
likewise useful.

The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

HOMOPTERA. - DIPTERA.
GTI OT 00S) | a eS aR ee ee ee 2 Psilopus Sp. 2 ok ee eee 1
COLEOPTERA. ARACHNIDA.

Carorenig @ Spo) ee ee ee 2) (GGMeaSTuS USD. k =! a eee 1

GREEN MANGO. Anthracothoraz viridis (Audebert and Vieillot).
ZUMBADOR, ZUMBADOR VERDE.

The hummingbird known as the green mango is confined to Porto Rico, and
occurs mainly in the coffee plantations and inland forest growths, living either
in the densest growth or in the borders of the woods. Only one was noted on
the coast (near Mameyes), but a few were seen at Rio Piedras. In dry areas
it was entirely absent, none being seen along the semiarid south side of the
island nor in the region between Aguadilla and Camuy. When the forests were
wet these birds were inactive until the sun was well up. When several were
together they were very alert, pursuing each other and the smaller hummers
like a flash. Occasionally in August, near Adjuntas, they gave a series of low
twittering notes that might almost be called a song, while sitting quietly on a
perch, but the usual note was a sharp squeak. Sometimes in collecting them
they were attracted by the muzzle of the gun and hovered above it, advancing,
retreating, and following after it.

The birds were gathering nesting material in December, and the 1st of Feb-
ruary females were busy collecting the downy seeds of certain plants near Aibo-
nito. On the 3d of February one was seen driving a wood pewee from a tree,
and later on pursuing a flycatcher, and as I watched it it flew up and settled
on the nest, which was about 40 feet from the ground, saddled on a limb in the
top of a tall, slender tree. The nest was not finished, and the bird was busy
arranging the lining, twisting around to mold it to her body. Every passing
bird or insect was noted and her head was moving constantly. The male perched
in the top of the same or neighboring trees, whizzing threateningly at all
feathered intruders, large and small, but not coming near the nest. From other
observations, the male and female remain together throughout the breeding
season. Gundlach (1878, p. 222) speaks of finding fresh eggs in October.

The emajagua hedges (Paritium tiliaceum), with their large yellow flowers,
were favorite hunting grounds with these hummers, as were the flowers of vari-
ous trumpet creepers (Ipomea sp.). The birds were observed many times work-
ing over the trunks and large limbs of trees, apparently gleaning small insects
from the crevices of the bark. Frequently when little clouds of gnats gathered
in the air above the trees, these large hummers hung with rapidly vibrating
wings, changing to one side or the other, and whirling completely around with
the greatest celerity, while picking up the minute insects. When tired they
came down to shaded perches, rested a minute, and then flew up again to con-
tinue as before. In the tobacco fields at Caguas they were accused of eating
tobacco seed, but this hardly seems probable, and at any rate little damage
would result. Near Cayey a bird worked over the ripened heads of some grass
along a roadside, and though it may have been gathering insects, none were
found on the seed heads on close examination.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. Te

Food.—In 29 stomachs animal matter amounted to 98.57 per cent and vege-
table to 1.48 per cent. Two birds had eaten seeds, and a third a small quan-
tity of vegetable rubbish, so that this undoubtedly is a regular, though small,
part of the food. The largest elements in the animal food were small Homop-
tera, flies, and spiders. Nearly all of the stomachs were well filled with solid
material, and, though these birds visit flowers systematically, as do all the other
hummers mentioned in this report, large numbers of insects are captured within
the corollas, and the part that nectar plays in the food is not so great as is
usually believed. Certainly they are hungry for meat, as well as sweets. They
undoubtedly regurgitate waste matter, in the form of pellets, from which the
nutriment has been digested. Several of these, 2 millimeters long by 1 wide,
ready to be expelled, were found on opening the stomachs, and in each case con-
sisted of a firmly compressed pellet containing chitinous fragments of insects
and spiders.

Small Homoptera were found in 9 stomachs and amount to 20.66 per cent, of
which 16.35 per cent were certainly identified as Fulgoridse. Engraver beetles
(Platypus sp.) (7.77 per cent) occur in 7 stomachs. These beetles swarm in
many localities but little is known of their habits in Porto Rico. Other Coleop-
tera, including a leaf beetle, a phalacrid, and a weevil (Caulophilus sp.), figure
as 2.07 per cent. Diptera were found in 18 stomachs and form 28.47 per cent,
while ants amount to 6.77 per cent. Other Hymenoptera, present in only 7
stomachs, represent 5.63 per cent. Spider remains in 11 stomachs come to 27.15
per cent and a single thrips (Frankliniella insularis) (0.05 per cent) completes
the count. In taking this thysanopteran a hint is given of possibilities in the
destruction of noxious species of economic importance. This large hummer can
unequivocally be placed with the beneficial species and, though relatively small,
does an appreciable amount of good.

The following were found in the stomachs of this hummingbird:

THYSANOPTERA. DIPTERA.
Frankliniella insularis______________ MAP SUL OD WS pe] wae aes Se Re 5
TOOT DV ORNUS Sle aaa 1
Onmenis spo. 22 Jka oigresuan is 92 ARACHNIDA.
COLEOPTERA. Theridula triangularis_-—-——_-__.— == 1
OCOD OOS BOL ea a Se eae 1
EZUOCY DUS Ia SD eee eee Sse a 1G

PORTO RICAN MANGO. Anthracothorax aurulentus (Audebert and Vieillot).
ZUMBADOR, ZUMZUM, COLIBRI, ZUMBADOR DORADO.

A common resident species in the island, the Porto Rican mango frequents open
localities, hedges through pastures, and bushy growths on open hillsides. It is
the common hummer of the coast region, and though a few were found in the
mountains, as near Cayey and Aibonito, they were not common in high altitudes,
and were never found in dense forests. On Vieques Island they were the most
abundant of humming birds but were rare on Culebra Island. They were very
pugnacious, continually chasing each other, or even driving away honey creepers
feeding in the same localities. In pastures they fed at the large flowers of the
emajagua (Paritium tiliaceum), and spent much time in trees, gleaning over
the bark, searching the trunks and twigs, and examining them closely. The
throat of one taken in a grapefruit grove near Manati was filled with ants.
On Vieques Island this species did not mingle with other hummingbirds, and
fed largely at the flowers of the molinillo (Leonotis sp.). In the small meadows
where these plants grew there were always a dozen or so of the hummers buzz-

74 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ing rapidly around, chasing each other back and forth, or probing the flowers. In
March the young on Vieques were full grown, but on Porto Rico they appear to
nest in May and June. A full-grown young of the year was taken near Ciales
July 13.

Food.—Thirty stomachs examined represented the months from January to
August, with the exception of June. Animal matter forms 98.57 per cent and
vegetable 1.43 per cent, the latter consisting of a large seed of panic grass
found in one stomach. The bulk of the animal food is composed of small
Homoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera.

Small Homoptera found in 15 stomachs amount to 33.35 per cent, 13.21 per
cent being recognized as lantern flies (Fulgoride). Leaf hoppers (Jassidze)
were taken twice. Snout beetles come to 3.26 per cent, and other Coleoptera,
death-watch and leaf beetles mainly, to 5.97 per cent. One mosquito was iden-
tified. Remains of Diptera, which as a whole amount to 16.98 per cent, occur
in 14 stomachs. Hymenoptera amount to 29.81 per cent; ants were found in 5
stomachs and other Hymenoptera in 26. Spiders were eaten seven times and
amount to 7.80 per cent, while miscellaneous matter, mainly earwig remains,
totals 1.45 per cent.

This large hummer has a rather varied insect fare and, though many Hymen-
optera are eaten, they are compensated for by the injurious leaf hoppers,
lantern flies, and beetles consumed. Though small, the hummingbirds have
their own niche in the economy of life and do an appreciable amount of good.
Movement as rapid as theirs requires quick consumption of fuel, and their
-stomachs, though small, must be filled frequently to keep up with the demand
for muscle-building nutriment. In the quantity of small Homoptera eaten. the
present species ranks near the warblers, and in the variety of beetles destroyed
it exceeds any of the other hummers found in Porto Rico.

The following were identified in these stomachs:

HOMOPTERA. DIPTERA.
! Psilopus: Spia 5223 ee ea eee 2
FIMCNAS: SP= 2 st et ee x sa

o P Conicera aildricht== = Se 1
COLEOPTERA. HYMENOPTERA.

Loberus sp 4 | Solenopsis geminata____-------~---- 1

2 SV. ee ee ee ee ee

Haptoncus -uicotus 2s = 2 SS ee rh ARACHNIDA.

Gatoramg sp = ee 9.1 EnGra Sp s225) ss 2 eee eee Fe

CeroLomit Spe ao ees 3 ae ee ae 1 | pera” thei. ee eee 1

JAMAICAN BLACK SWIFT. Nephecetes niger jamaicensis (Ridgway).
GOLONDRINA, VENCEJO.

The Jamaican black swift is apparently a rare resident species. Gundlach
(1878, p. 200) records it from Lares, Quebradillas, and Utuado, and notes young
birds from the latter locality. One was hawking about the sugar experiment
station at Rio Piedras on December 16, 1911, but the species was not again
seen until May 4. On that date near Yabucoa I saw a pair circling swiftly
back and forth, high above a pasture. One was shot as it passed overhead, and
came tumbling down, its companion following. The latter circled by once or
twice like a flash and then disappeared. The bird taken was only winged, and
showed a curious semicircular tuft of feathers in front-of and above the eye
that strongly resembled the facial disk of an owl. This is not noticeable in
skins. Single birds were seen three times during the latter part of June about
Lares.

Food.—Two stomachs of this swift contain animal matter only, composed
mainly of ants, which in one case amount to 91 per cent and in the other to 45
per cent. One species was identified (Wasmannia auropunctata), and one bird

ane ee eT

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 15

had eaten 157 individuals. In one stomach were five small stinkbugs (Thyanta
sp.) and five flies (Husxesta sp.). Beetles were represented by a pea weevil
(Bruchus sp.) and a sap beetle (Stelidota sp.). Several snout beetles (Calan-
drids and Curculionids, including one Caulophilus sp.) and one engraver beetle
(Platypus sp.) were taken. An unexpected species was a back swimmer (Plea
striola), an aquatic form rather out of place in a swift’s stomach. The black
swift is entirely beneficial in its food habits. It is to be regretted that it is not
more common, as it is the only member of its family present in Porto Rico.

GRAY KINGBIRD. Tyrannis dominicensis dominicensis (Gmelin). (PLATE VII.)
PITIRRE.

The gray kingbird, a common resident species in Porto Rico, frequents open
localities and is found through pastures, cultivated fields, and waste lands
from the coast to the higher portions of the island, but is not found in forests
or coffee plantations. None were seen in the forests on El Yunque, though
the bird was common in all the clearings about its base, and only two were
noted near Maricao, which is in the heart of the coffee district.

The native name “ pitirre” is in imitation of the call note, which is heard
constantly when the birds are near, and which at times is lengthened and
softened until it might almost be called a song. The flight is direct, moder-
ately fast, and accomplished by rapidly beating wings. The gray kingbird
has the reputation among the country people of being the earliest riser among
birds. In the daytime it scatters along the slopes and through the fields to
feed, but at nightfall gathers in small parties along streams, to roost in the
bamboos or in the mangroves surrounding the lagoons. In Caguas, Adjuntas,
and a few other places at eventide they were noted coming in to roost in the
trees of the plazas. As it grew dusk considerable numbers came flying in,

‘singly or in little groups of four or five. At first they alighted in the tops of

rather high, open trees, and from here made sallies after passing insects, abun-
dant in the early twilight, or flew swiftly and rather erratically through the
trees, Sweeping and diving, apparently merely for the pleasure of it. They were
rather silent on these occasions. As it grew darker all retired to low, dense
trees to roost.

The nesting season extends from April to July, and during the latter month
young are abundant. At all times very pugnacious, pursuing blackbirds, hawks,
and other birds, they now become doubly so, resenting all intrusions in their
neighborhood. Occasionally they were seen standing on open perches during
showers with outspread trembling wings, evidently enjoying the downpour.
At times this species is semigregarious, being drawn together by an abundance
of food. Birds were frequently observed capturing insects on the wing about
high, breezy points in the mountains. Trees loaded with various fruits, as
the guaraguou (Trichilia spondiodes) or wild fig (Ficus sp.), drew: large num-
bers of them. March 6 along the Rio Mameyes, at the base of El Yunque,
dozens of these birds came to feed on the fruit of the guaraguou. Seventeen
were counted comparatively close together in one small tree. The laurel ber-
ries (Phebe elongata) are ravenously eaten, although they are so large that
the birds can scarcely swallow them. Where the fruit of the wild fig grows on
slender twigs, the kingbird flies out and pulls it off, returning to a perch on
the larger limbs to swallow it. Quantities of the berries of the balsamo
(Palicourea crocea) and camacey (Miconia racemosa) also are taken. During
August the young birds rely largely upon vegetable food.

A few facts regarding the insect food of this kingbird were learned from
field observation. Birds were twice observed eating the caterpillars of a large
sphinx moth. These were beaten on a limb, and then the juices were ex-

76 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

tracted by working the body through the bill, while only the skin was dis-
carded. Their services in eating these and other caterpillars were recognized,
but at Caguas they were said to do some little damage by breaking the leaves
of tobacco plants, either with the bill or the wing, in fiying down to pick off
the caterpillars. In Mayagiiez in June a few of these birds were catching in-
sects above the hot, paved streets, and perching on wires and housetops.

Food.—Highty-nine stomachs of the gray kingbird available for examination
were distributed through the 10 months from December to September, and re
vealed animal food to the extent of 77.56 per cent. The vegetable matter, 22.44
. per cent, was considerable for a bird of this family. Many of the insects taken
are large, conspicuous species and include weevils and other beetles, numbers of
Hymenoptera, and a miscellaneous assortment from other orders. The vege-
table matter eaten may be classed as wild fruits, all of them having a more
or less pulpy mass surrounding a seed. These are swallowed whole, and when
the soit exterior has been removed the hard seeds are regurgitated, no attempt
being made to grind them up unless naturally soft. No gravel or sand was
present in any ot the stomachs examined.

Animal food—Though mole crickets are popularly supposed to figure largely
in the fare of the pitirre, they were discovered in only six stomachs and amount
to only 2.36 per cent, while other Orthoptera, a mantis, and a few grasshoppers
and locusts, come to 0.95 per cent. Earwigs (Forficulide) (4.72 per cent) were
eaten eight times. Cicadas were found six times and make 1.97 per cent, while
stinkbugs (Pentatomidz) in nine stomachs come to 2.12 per cent. These evil-
smelling insects seem to be eaten regularly, forming the largest bulk in Decem-
ber. Miscellaneous fragments of other bugs (Heteroptera) comprise 0.68 per
cent. In 32 stomachs were found remains of adults of the cane root-boring
weevil (Diaprepes spengleri) (17.19 per cent), and in destroying these weevils
the gray kingbird does as much good as if it fed on the same number of changas.
With the weevil stalk-borer (Mefamasius hemipterus) (5.30 per cent) and mis-
cellaneous weevils (1.384 per cent), largely coffee leaf-weevils (Lachnopis sp.),
the bulk of injurious weevils taken is nearly one-fourth of the yearly food.
These weevils, though just beginning to be recognized by agriculturists, are
among the most important insects of the island from an economic standpoint
and in destroying them a great service is done. In addition to these one bird
had eaten a May beetle (Lachnosterna sp.) and other birds -had taken bupres-
tids (Acmeodera sp.) and leaf beetles. The only beneficial beetle eaten was a
single ladybird (Cycioneda limbifer). Miscellaneous Coleoptera amount to
1.3 per cent. :

Among the Hymenoptera, workers of the honeybee (Apis mellifica) (2.21 per
cent) were identified in five stomachs collected at random in January and Feb-
ruary. In 17 stomachs taken in June, largely at Lares about the apiary of
Sr. Linares, domesticated bees form 9.12 per cent. This is the only damaging
evidence against this bird, but it is greatly discounted by the good in other lines.

Considerable complaint against the gray kingbird arises around apiaries, the

principal loss being said to occur during the nuptial flight of the queens, when
the latter, from their relatively slow and heavy flight, are readily captured.
The great Swarms of these insects, passing back and forth to the hives, are an
attraction to these insect-feeding birds. They were observed fiying in, circling
back and forth among the bees, and above the hives, and then alighting near by
in dead trees. Wild species of bees of no economic importance amount to 15.28
per cent of the food. In making post-mortem stomach examinations of the birds
taken about apiaries it should be borne in mind that wild bees also are relished,
as these can not be distinguished from domestic species when discolored by

‘a ~

t
. spite Ms pote Sep gli i.

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE VII.

B2132—51

GRAY KING BIRD, OR PITIRRE (TYRANNUS DOMINICENSIS DOMINICENSIS).

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. Ta

digestive juices and mixed with other material without the aid of a microscope.
Bees other than the honeybee figure largely in the stomachs taken about
apiaries, and in the series taken in June amount to 9.85 per cent. Frequently
birds taken near the hives, vigorously catching insects in the passing swarms of
bees, contained no trace of honeybees, though observation would have led to the
inference that their stomachs would be crammed with them. In fact, about as
many bees were found in birds killed in fields and pastures as in those collected
in the immediate vicinity of the hives. Moreover, as bees were found in but 5
stomachs out of 89, this should not weigh heavily against the bird when present
in ordinary numbers, unless it is about at swarming time, when the queens are
liable to be picked up.

Other Hymenoptera amount to 11.83 per cent and are composed largely of
wasps. Caterpillars in ten stomachs and moths in four make up 4.75 per cent.
Lizards, largely anolis, were eaten by four birds and amount to 3.64 per cent.
One bird had swallowed an entire lizard 43 inches long. Miscellaneous food,
consisting of spiders eaten three times, ant lions (Myrmelionidz) twice, one fly,
and a small quantity of indeterminate matter, amounts to 2.42 per cent.

The following were identified in the stomachs of the gray kingbird:

ORTHOPTERA. HYMENOPTERA.
NiGIISTOGETGG, )Sp Sea eee Se ARATE Sy i ce ea a age 2
Callimantis antillarum____-----~--~-~-- yall EUSg STO seer at ia ti canes SAY Sloe ey Pee Sele 1
Scapteriscus, didactylus_____________ Gi MCD SIS (SD Ses bot ds ee i 4
PYAONONY D - SD a ee ee ae eee 1
EAE NUE OLY DEUS HAS Pee a ee Ee alae Fe fl
LPYADGY MOET Oe gS aa a 9. | ROUSTES AS) es 2 ete. a tote ae eee es ae 2
PrOORnoeRilaris ee ee OM POMSLCS) CONGUCTISI Se a eee eee 1
PS) ATID: Sj Dye a aa BCG ce Be sa tlk Awgoenlora: Spi a sate kaa ee 4
LS GLIERS. RS eek Sc TD i eR Ee ee ree SC OI DSOMMETUSES Peers ee eee 2
LBRWOS GOOG ee ee ea i | Campsomerns, GOrsat@. ee 2
(ERO O CHO) SUR Sa 2
COLEOPTERA, Anthopnords Kriugit 22-202 ee 14
Cycloneda limbifer _------------___- TC CRtRiSeUerSsicolon = ==— == ae il
Wem moderna spe 25 oi el os veins 2 | Bombus sp._------—--------------_- i
Lachnosterna SPpasae See es 1 Apis mellifica (worker) ------------- 5
NOVENODLETOs SPe ae ee eee 1
Cryptocephalus sp_-_-----------_--- 1 VERTEBRATA.
Coptocycla signifera__—_-_~-___-___-_ 1 rae
Diaprepes spengleri ___-___-_-__-_-__- 82 OIC Mitomr hel Lh lnk 1S FAS eee 2
EUG TUT OD UUS BSD ee Se 3)
Metamasius hemipterus____--------~ 14

Vegetable food.—Of the vegetable matter eaten, seeds and fruits comprise
22.06 per cent, while vegetable rubbish amounts to only 0.388 per cent. The
berries borne by the royal palm (Roystonea borinquena) and other species of
the same family are favorites, as are those of the espino (Xanthozylum spp.),
a fruit with little pulp and a peculiarly reticulated seed. Seeds of various —
euphorbias and of plants of the nightshade family are also sought greedily, and
one bird had eaten seeds of the Santa Maria (Lantana sp.), a pernicious weed
not of major importance in Porto Rico though very troublesome under similar
conditions in Hawaii. The moral (Cordia spp.) was perhaps the favorite, being
found in 12 stomachs. The fruits eaten are all wild and none are of commer-
cial importance.

The following seeds were identified in the stomachs examined:

Royal palm (Roystonea borinquena) __
Palm (Acrist@ Sp.) 2 see ee ee
Palma de Sierra (Acrista monticola) —

Mild: fiz (Ficus sp.) -- 2-22.22 2s
Chenopodacee sp_...--____-_--_---—

mehytolaccaces spe oe vase a eS
Espino (Xanthoxylum sp.) ~---_____
Espino (Xanthorylum martinicense) —-—
Huphorbiaces) sp2e ss ae a2 eee
Croton(Croton sp.) aoe Se

oe Cee
PRE oe

78 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Jatropha (Jatropha sp.) _--~________ Pl. BOra lines Goes se ee ae eee 1
Staff-tree (Rhacoma sp.)_-__________ i. > Moral. (Gosdig sp) 2 ee 12
Bejuco prieto (Paullinia sp.)________ try Moral. (Gorda. nttide) = = ee 1
Laurel (Phebe elongata)____________ 1 | Nigua (Tournefortia sp.) —-_-____ uf
Camaceyr (Micanta:-sp: yo es 5 | Santa Maria (Lantana sp.) —~--------- 1
Adelina. (Agena Sp. )ia =. 2 See he | Rubiaces ssp! 2s haa ee Bea ees 2
Nightshade (Solanum sp.)_~_-_____=+_ 4 | Balsamo colorado (Hamelia patens) —- 1
PP ICOUDSICHINE SP.) 2-2) eee if

Summary.—Detailed study of the food of the gray kingbird shows it to be
beneficial almost without exception. A few honeybees are eaten, but they are
more than made up for by the large bulk of injurious weevils, mole crickets,
and Hemiptera destroyed. Though not so great an enemy of the changa (Scap-
teriscus didactylus) as has commonly been believed, it accomplishes practically
as much good in consuming cane root- and stalk-boring weevils and coffee leaf-
weevils.

In the cultivated fields this bird should be encouraged by every means possible
because of the good it does in destroying these insect pests. It is always fairly
common in citrus groves, and the cane fields furnish favorite feeding grounds,
but when the cane grows tall there are few elevated perches from which the
bird may watch for insects. The planting of the jobo tree (Spondias lutea) at
short intervals along fences and roads is recommended, as its rather straggling
growth furnishes open perches and the spiny trunk is a bar to would-be nest
robbers.

[KINGBIRD. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linneus).
PITIRRE.

The Kingbird is recorded by Hartlaub (1847, p. 611) and by Cory (1892, p. 108) without
comment. Cory (1886, p. 245) includes Porto Rico in its range with a query, and as no
Specimens are recorded it is considered best to treat this species as hypothetical. ]

PORTO RICAN PETCHARY. Tolmarchus taylori (Sclater).
CLERIGO,

The flycatcher known as the petchary is a common resident in Porto Rico and
on Vieques Island. Its original home would appear to be in the forests, which
formerly covered the island. It is common now through the dense growth of
coffee plantations, and in citrus groves having good-sized trees. In the low-
lands its habits appear to be changing, and it is scattered through pastures
and fields where there are mango trees or clumps of bamboo. Shaded perches
are chosen, especially during the heat of the day. The birds are quiet and not
easily seen, as they usually perch where they are hidden by clumps of leaves.
From these points they fly out after insects, sometimes for considerable dis-
tances. They are rather silent, the call note being a loud pi ti tity, heard most
often in the breeding season. Near Cayey, in January, one was seen bathing by
repeatedly darting down to the surface of a pool. These birds are pugnacious,
but not so much so as the gray kingbirds.

The breeding season extends from March to June, and after the first of July
young birds were common. In the dense forests of El Yunque they were nesting
the first week in March, and scolded the crows with harsh notes when the latter
alighted above their nests.

Food.—For examination in the laboratory 61 stomachs of the clerigo were
available, collected in the months from December to August and in all districts
of the island, including Vieques. Animal matter in these forms 76.91 per cent
and vegetable 23.09 per cent. Several species of weevils, Hemiptera, Hymen-
optera, and tree toads form the large bulk of the animal food. Wild fruits
figure somewhat more extensively than in the case of the gray kingbird and are

:

Ss,
BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. "9

taken in the same manner. Its food also differs from that of the kingbird
mainly in its small consumption of Hymenoptera, with a corresponding increase
in the destruction of beetles and vertebrates, these differences in diet resulting
from differences in habitat.

Animal food.—Though the mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus) was found
in only 8 stomachs, it amounts to 3.04 per cent. Other Orthoptera, locusts
(Acrididz) in four cases and a cricket in one, make up 2.68 per cent. The
largest item in the animal food, 18.47 per cent, is composed of the cane root-
boring weevil, present in 29 stomachs. Remains of aS many as six were found
in a single stomach, though smaller numbers were the rule. One of these
weevils forms a comparatively large bulk and usually they are well broken up,
apparently before swallowing. The weevil stalk-borer (Metamasius hemipte-
rus), another highly injurious species, was eaten three times and amounts to
1.53 per cent. Miscellaneous snout-beetles come to 2.4 per cent and were mainly
coffee leaf-weevils (Lachnopus spp.). Among miscellaneous beetles (4.06 per
cent) diabroticas (Diabrotica graminea) occur three times and a leaf beetle
(Cryptocephalus sp.) twice. Metallic wood-boring beetles, whose larvee live
under the bark of decaying trees, were also well represented. Ladybird beetles
(1.53 per cent), predacious species, were identified four times. Ill-smelling

squash bugs were eaten 11 times and figure as 3.45 per cent, while Homoptera,

largely cicadas, make up 2.47 per cent. Two other bugs, predatory species, taken
by two birds amount to only 0.88 per cent. Moths were eaten by four birds and
caterpillars by four, and combined these comprise 4.17 per cent of the food.
Though hymenopterous remains were present in 23 stomachs, they amount to
only 8.22 per cent. Fragments of bees (2.12 per cent) were-identified in four
stomachs, none of them belonging to the domestic species, so that this large
flycatcher is vindicated of the charges laid against it by owners of bees. While
working around the apiary of Sr. Linares, at Lares, a number of clerigos were
taken and their stomachs preserved. They did not come directly into the bee

yard, as did the gray kingbirds, but remained in the trees around its border.

Swarms of bees were continually passing and repassing, and the flycatchers
were seen darting up among them and snapping up unlucky insects time after
time. On examining the stomachs of these birds carefully, however, no honey-
bees were found, the gizzards being filled with the customary food of the bird.
It has been said that the birds do not swallow bees, but work them through the
bill to extract the juices of the body and then discard the rest. In extended
observations, however, I saw nothing of this, and in the well-known feeding
habits of the bird there is nothing to indicate that this is-true. When a bird
preys upon the vicious social wasp (Polistes sp.), individuals of which were
identified in four stomachs, there is no reason to suppose that it would reject
the body of the weaker honeybee because of its sting.

The little tree toad (Hleutherodactylus sp.) had been eaten by 10 of the
petcharies examined and forms 8.81 per cent of the total food for the period
under discussion. As this flycatcher perches constantly among the leaves and
limbs of living trees, these small batrachians are often seen and devoured.
Lizards (10.47 per cent). all anolis, were eaten by 18 birds. In consuming these
vertebrates a Small amount of harm is done, but this counts for little when the
good accomplished in other directions is considered. One bird taken in a man-
grove Swamp at Mameyes had eaten a fiddler crab (Uca pugnaxv rapaz), and
the stomach of another contained bits of mollusk shell. These, with a small
quantity of animal matter which could not be determined, amount to 4.73 per
cent.

80 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following were identified in the petchary stomachs examined:

CRUSTACEA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Uca pugnax rapar____-_-___-______ 1 | Cryptocephalus sp__________________ 2
, Diab otica graminea_________._ 3
ORTHOPTERA. Lacknopas sp: 2 eee 4
Schistocerca columbiana_____________ 1 eee eee c ia = es. Lees 29
Scapteriscus didactylus _-___________ 3 ala a SR tg he 3
HYMENOPTERA.
HEMIPTERA.
Mass - Polistes - sp_-- se See +
Proarne, hilarts — = eee 1 Campsomeris sp eee 1
Rocconota sp_____-________________ 1 | Campsomeris dorsata_______________ 1
a SP ——--————=— 1 | Odynerus’ sp... oS See eee 1
Nezara@ sp-------------__---~_--~-- 1 | Odontomachus hematoda____________ 1
COLEOPTERA.
VERTEBRATA.
Coccinciia | Sp2 == ae ee ees en 3
Cyctoneda - tanbijer, = Ces ee 1 | Mleutherodaciytus sp_2 =e 10
Chrysobothris denticulata___________ 1 || Anolis sp-——- 2 eee 17
Aemroiers (sp ese ies ee 3 Anolis ‘stratulus_-2-: se 1
PROUNUS Sp? — 2s ee ee al |

Vegetable food.—Vegetable matter that may be classed as rubbish amounted
to 1.96 per cent, and seeds forming 21.13 per cent were found in 36 stomachs,
or a little more than half those examined. Not so many species are eaten as
in the case of the gray kingbird and some of the favored species taken by that
bird are missing in the appended list, notably the moral- (Cordia). Berries
of palms and the fruit of the wild fig and espino (Xanthorylum sp.) were
well represented, while the others were scattering. None were of the least
commercial value except possibly the concombre (Cucumis sp.). which every-
where in the island grows in a wild state. As in the case of the gray kingbird,
ho gravel was found in the stomachs examined.

The following seeds were identified in these stomachs:

Adelia: (Adelia’ sp) == 2222
Nightshade (Solanum sp.)——---_-____
Santa Maria (Lantana sp.) --—--—-—__
Rubiace2 sp2—2 = 22. eee
Camacey (Miconieé sp.) ===
Concombre (Cucumis sp.) ~-=——- ==
Composit]: sp+—.- 2S ee eee

AT CEACCIE TS See eee = Se nnn Re EME ey
Palmo real (Roystonea borinquena) __
Wild ‘fic-{ Haees Sp: oe oa eS
Chenonetaces (Spee eee
Almendrillo (Prunus sp.)_~---_______
Espino (Xanthorylum sp.)_-_-______
Bejuco prieto (Paullinia pinnata)____

‘OD He me co OO DD eH
ee rere

Summary.—The Porto Rican petchary or clerigo is a beneficial species in the
true sense and renders great assistance in suppressing numbers of injurious
insects. Although a few predacious coccinellids and larger numbers of lizards
and tree toads are eaten, the weevils, bugs, miscellaneous beetles, changas, and
other Orthoptera destroyed show a large balance in favor of the bird. The
bird has been accused of damage by owners of apiaries who believe that it eats
many bees. This charge, however, is entirely unsubstantiated, though a num-
ber of birds were collected in the immediate vicinity of bee yards. In an
island where large insectivorous birds are few this bird is one of the most bene-
ficial of the native species and should be protected by all. The good that it
does is not limited to the coffee plantations, in which it chiefly resides, as
many of the weevils taken are serious pests in cane fields and elsewhere. The -
bird is beginning to appear in the more open cultivated lowlands, and if undis-
turbed in its chosen haunts in bamboos and mango trees should increase in num-
bers. Further plantings would tend to encourage it in the pastures.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 81

ANTILLEAN FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus antillarum (Bryant).
JUI.

The Antillean flycatcher is a common resident on Porto Rico and Vieques, be-
ing evenly distributed but nowhere abundant. On April 6 and 20 their unmis-
takable notes were heard in the dense thorny forest growth on Punto Soldado,
Culebra Island. As they have not previously been recorded from this island it
is unfortunate that no specimens were secured. The birds are found in coffee
plantations, in small patches of second growth along hedgerows, brush-filled
ravines, or, where cover is near, even along the borders of cane fields. On El
Yunque they occurred up to 1,800 feet altitude. In their habits they are very
quiet and unassuming and may easily be overlooked. An open perch is usually
chosen from which the birds may watch for insects, as in a small opening in
the forest or along the border of a coffee plantation, though the perch is often
in the dense leaves in the tops of trees. Insects are captured on the wing, and
berries are occasionally eaten. In general appearance, habits, and notes the
birds markedly resemble the western wood pewee. During the latter part of
April and May birds were seen inspecting nesting holes, though no nests were
found. July 5, along the Rio Guajataca, near Quebradillas, a party of three
young, just out of the nest, was observed, and after this date young were com-
mon. Near Bayamon they were found in the citrus groves. By the supersti-
tious countryman the note of the jui is regarded as the forerunner of news, and
whether this be good or bad the bird gets the credit for it.

Food.—In 40 stomachs of the Antillean flycatcher, representing the months
from December to August, animal food forms 84.17 per cent and vegetable 15.83
per cent. Hemiptera, weevils, and caterpillars comprise the bulk of the animal
food with Hymenoptera in lesser quantities. The vegetable food, less in amount
than in the two birds last described (7yrannus d. dominicensis and Tolmarchus
taylori), is composed mainly of seeds of wild fruits or berries.

Animal food.—Fragments of the mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus) (1.27
per cent) were found in three stomachs. As the birds are found occasionally
watching for prey from low perches bordering the woodlands or even near
cane fields, they have opportunity to destroy numbers of the changa. Other
orthopteran remains (3.97 per cent) were found in seven stomachs. Grass-
hoppers and locusts are represented, and odd long-bodied walking sticks
(Phasmide) were eaten twice. Homoptera, largely cicadas (Proarno hilaris),
with a few fulgorids, figure as 7.67 per cent, and stinkbugs in six stomachs come
to 2.33 per cent. Other bugs (all Heteroptera) amount to 2.62 per cent.

Among beetles, the longicorns in 11 stomachs make up 1.7 per cent, and leaf
beetles (Chrysomelidz) eaten by the same number of birds amount to 1.4 per
cent. Among these are diabroticas and a corn leaf-eating beetle (I/yochrous
sp.). Another small chrysomelid (Cryptocephalus sp.) was found in six
stomachs. The cane root-boring weevil, though represented in only five
stomachs, amounts to 11.22 per cent. Other scarred-snout beetles, which were
largely made up of the coffee leaf-weevil (ZLachnopus sp.), identified seven times,
come to 5 per cent. Additional weevil remains make up 3.09 per cent. Mis-
cellaneous Coleoptera (1.04 per cent) include a bean weevil (Zabrotes sp.) and
several darkling beetles (Helops sp.). Caterpillars, represented in 14 stomachs,
and a few fragments of adult Lepidoptera together comprise 25.85 per cent.
Diptera (1.45 per cent), almost entirely disregarded by the gray kingbird and
petchary, were recognized in five stomachs.

Hymenoptera (10.51 per cent), a constant element in the food, were found in
20 stomachs, or half those examined. Individuals of wild bees occurred five
times, but there was no trace of the domestic species. Wasp remains were

9767°—Bull. 326—16——6

82 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

found in three, an ant in one, and in another a small hymenopteran parasitic
on ants (Kapala sp.). Less than half those consumed can be called beneficial.
One bird had eaten a lizard and one a tree toad, together forming 1.07 per
eent. Snails were found in two stomachs, a dragon fly in one, a neuropteran in
one, and some insect eggs in another. These miscellaneous items total 3.98
per cent.
The following were identified in the stomachs examined:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
ce ee ee ie nae Ie o Sas : Hep? .Sp2i. Cin tae ee ee 4
capteriscus at Ylus —------------- Luchnopus. spo: >) See 7
HEMIPTERA. Diaprepes ..spenglers ee eee 5
PEIRO USD. 2 =e ee eee eee 1 2
'PTOarn0: (Niwas. 22 eee = sae ga a
Brmentis “spl. £2 = eee ee eee 1 Koepate spe Se eee 1
INCZOLEUS) 222 = SUAS ee eer | “Heomalepsis oops. St ae A ae eee 1
Phyagnte.. Spi 2s222 522 tee ee i) Polsstes; spit oo Soe eee 2
ae HGS -S6TCuUcle === eee 1
Wemeodera: sp:— )2 ee ee As 1 MOLLUSCA.
Eburia sp------------------------- Lo) SubulifAa sp ois SEs 30 3 eee ae 1
GOMDSG SD 23 2 ee eee 2
Heplostplas “Sposa eee 2 VERTEBRATA.
Cryuptocephatus sp = = Se ee 6
Myochrous: (sp &2 2 s022 at Se Bs 1 | Eleutherodactylus sp ~----~-~~--.-_-~ 1
DiGvrelich SB2 2 ee eet 3) Ons Ss) 1
WiGUTOLES SD ae Ee a eae 1

Vegetable food.—Of the vegetable food 1.94 per cent may be called rubbish
and the remainder, 13.89 per cent, is composed of seeds, usually with a little of
their pulpy exterior accompanying them. One bird had eaten 36 grass seeds
(Paspalum sp.}, but this is apparently an unusual food. The espino (Xanthory-
lum sp.), a favorite, was found seven times. Others recognized were the moral
(Cordia sp.), nightshade (Solanum sp.), and wild fig (Ficus sp.).

The seeds in the following list were identified in the stomachs examined:

Paspalum (Paspalum sp.) .-....-~~- 1 | Espino (Xanthozrylum sp.)_--------~— T
Wald: fiz aiticus: spain at aes Ses 58 1 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.) ---______ 2
Chenopedacemssp== == = ee ee 2.1-Moral. (Cordia.sp.) 2 eee 2
Weten (VS CUE GSD as re ae oe ze

Summary.—The vegetable food of the jui may be dismissed with the state-
ment that it is composed of wild species of no importance to man. In the animal
matter, Hymenoptera, the large family containing wasps, bees, and many para-
sitic species, stand out rather prominently, but as more than half of those taken
are known to be neutral, their destruction is of little importance. The vertebrates
destroyed are of value to man, as they aid in the war on insects. Some of the
predatory bugs may also be considered beneficial. These, however, though long
in enumeration are small in bulk compared with the great mass of destructive
weevils, beetles, squash bugs, and others forming the average daily food of the
Antillean flycatcher. Only one-eighth of the animal food may be considered
more or less indirectly beneficial to man and agriculture, and the remaining
seven-eighths consists almost entirely of animals living contrary to human in-
terests. Thus this species is a firm ally of agricultural interests in Porto Rico.
Though retiring in habit, it is more common than is supposed by the casual
observer and its whistled call note, regarded with superstition by the country
laborer, may always be considered an omen of good fortune.

d
B
4
,
;
:

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 83

PORTO RICAN WOOD PEWEE. Blacicus blancoi Cabanis.
Bosito, JUI, JUI PEQUENO.

The bobito, or wood pewee, is a tolerably common resident species in the west-
ern portion of Porto Rico. It is not recorded from the eastern half of the island
beyond a line passing through Salinas, Aibonito, and Ciales. This bird fre-
quents coffee plantations, small patches of second growth, or on the south coast
the dry brushy pastures, but very few even of the country people are familiar
with it, as it is so inconspicuous that it would be overlooked by one not acquainted
with its habits. In the coffee plantations it is found on the slopes about the
heads of small gullies, or on the middle portion of long, steep slopes. It usually
selects open perches on dead limbs not far from the ground, from which it makes
short sallies after insects. The call note of the males, a low tremulous pree-e-e-e
given at times, with trembling wings, can not be heard more than a hundred
yards, and is so ventriloquial that neither its direction nor the distance from
which it comes can be determined. Frequently a bird will call from a perch
not 30 feet away for several minutes before it is seen, so still does it sit and
so well do its colors harmonize with the background. The females are silent,
usually appearing suddenly on a limb, and without doubt are often overlooked.
The breeding season is in May, though no nests were found, and in July and
August the birds were molting badly. Near Cabo Rojo they were found in the
mangroves bordering the seacoast lagoons, but nowhere else did they approach
so close to the ocean.

Food.—The Porto Rican wood pewee is a true flycatcher, as in 29 stomachs
taken in February, May, June, and August 99.17 per cent of the contents was
animal matter and 0.83 per cent vegetable. The vegetable matter was contained
in a single stomach taken May 1, 1912, near Salinas, and consisted of seeds of
the espino (Yanthozylum sp.). Of the animal food, Diptera and Hymenoptera
form the largest elements, though many beetles are taken. A cricket (Orocharis
sp.) was found in one stomach and amounts to 0.56 per cent. Homoptera (5.39
per cent) are composed largely of lantern flies and tree hoppers, though one
bird had discovered a cicada. Other bugs (Heteroptera), all so broken or frag-
mentary as to be indeterminate, with the single exception of one stinkbug
(Pentatomidz), were found in three stomachs and amount to 1.45 per cent.
Leaf beetles (8.19 per cent). were encountered in 10 stomachs. A small species
of uncertain habit (Cryptocephalus sp.) was identified six times. Ladybirds
(Coccinellidz) (8.87 per cent) appeared in five stomachs; they are usually
predacious species and are the only beneficial beetles taken. Those eaten are
all native forms, none of the species recently introduced to combat the mealy
bug in cane fields being found. An engraver beetle (Platypus sp.) (8.86 per

cent) was identified in nine stomachs. These are common about coffee planta-

tions in many localities, and as many as 48 were found in a single stomach.
Other weevils, found in nine stomachs, amount to 1.84 per cent, among which
was a curculio (Anthonomus sp.). Coleoptera not included above come to 2.43
per cent, among which were a water scavenger beetle, click beetles (JM/ono-
crepidius sp.), several longicorns, darkling beetles, and others. The beetles
eaten, though nearly all small, cover a wide range of families and are largely
injurious species.

Moths are represented in eight stomachs and a caterpillar in one, together
forming 10.87 per cent. The former figure more extensively in the food of this
bird than in any of the flyecatchers previously mentioned and show that active
prey is watched for and captured on the wing, the slower-moving caterpillars
being unnoticed.

Of the total food, 23.07 per cent is composed of Hymenoptera; large numbers
of which are parasitic species. Representatives of this order were found in

84 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

17 of the 29 stomachs examined, and among them fragments of three ichneumon
flies and remains of several bees were identified. They are only exceeded in
bulk by flies (37.15 per cent). which were eaten constantly and were present
in 25 stomachs, in some cases comprising as much as 85 per cent of the bulk.
Miscellaneous matter, consisting of a spider, a snail, and an earwig, amounts
to 0.49 per cent.

The following insects were identified in the stomachs examined:

aa Oe eae

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
OF OCHOTAS <:Sp 202s 2 eee ee eee 41 d .Mordelia (sp =~ 25) oe See ee af
ANLRONOMUS: SP 3 2 eee iy
HEMIPTERA. Plaigpus sp — = 2- e 9
GPIMCNLS (Sp = ot re ee 1 DIPTERA.
PCLAGONE Spo ee 1 Prilopiis pc Ae eee
ScR SSPE. Voluccila \sp_ =
Sarcophaga spi= = eee
Conelatus..sp=) = = eee 2” Deeiite: sp2e 22s 2S. A eee
Cyctoneda limbifer = —- =~ 2 ae > | Pyretiia piolactas_ ul 5s) Bee
Scymnus roseicollis___.--= = 2 dal Bagesta: Spi=2=-)2. 2 = eae
NCYMNWUUS Spee ae ee eee 1
MOGROCT CPUS ~Spe ee es ee 2 HYMENOPTERA.
Chrysougthris sp] es te ee 2. | Polstes Spot 23s 2S eee 1
DiOmG P5102 ee ie es ae eres 1 | Heomatlopsis sp]. 22 es eee 1
Ung tocepnatustsps =) ee G | Hattcius: sp = eee eee 1
AGUTOLES 2S pe ee a 2
HI ClOpS | (SB ee oe ee a ee 1

Summary.—Though not large enough in body to cope successfully with the
larger insect pests of the island, the Porto Rican wood pewee aids effectively
in destroying smaller species, some of which are known to be injurious, while
others may prove upon investigation to be of more importance than is believed
at present. Some harm is done in the destruction of the parasitic Hymenop-
tera, which are inevitably snapped up by any true flycatcher continually on the
watch for winged prey, but these are counterbalanced by injurious species of
small Homoptera, moths, weevils, and other beetles as well as the flies de-
stroyed. From its unobtrusive habits this pewee attracts little attention, but
should be protected wherever found.

ANTILLEAN ELAINEA. Elainea martinica martinica (Linneus).
RUISENOR PEQUENO.

The small flycatcher, Known as the Antillean elainea, has not previously been
recorded from this region, but was found to be tolerably common on the south
side of Vieques Island from Porto Ferro east, on Culebra Island, and also on
Culebrita Island and Louis Pea (Southwest Cay). It would appear to be a
summer visitant, as it was not noted on Vieques until March 25, but after that
time it was fairly common. All the birds taken appeared ready to breed. It
is a solitary species, individuals being found considerable distances apart, in
dense, almost impenetrable thorny growths of cactus and small trees. In
habits it combines the characteristics of fiycatchers and vireos.

Food.—In 10 stomachs of this species taken in March and April animal food
amounts to 14.5 per cent and vegetable to 85.5 per cent.

The only animal food taken at all regularly consisted of spiders (2.4 per
cent), found in three stomachs. One bird had eaten a large caterpillar and
another two weevils. In one stomach was a leaf beetle (Cryptocephalus pusio)
and in others bits of an earwig and a ladybird beetle (Cycloneda limbifer).

In eating so much vegetable food (85.5 per cent) the elainea differs markedly
from our northern fiycatchers, none of which approaches it in this respect at any

es -

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 85

season. It is very probable, as our knowledge of the food of tropical and sub-
tropical forms of this large family increases, that numbers will be found to
be almost wholly vegetarian in their diet. Certainly this seems to be the case
with the species under discussion. Three stomachs were filled entirely with
seeds and drupes and in all but one these formed much the larger share. The
seeds of the family of euphorbias were sought for, and a nightshade (Solanum
sp.) occurred three times. Several species found were indeterminate, but
apparently all were eaten for the soft outer covering, the seeds being regur-
gitated.

The vegetable food of this species is not of importance, and what animal mat-
ter is taken is nearly all injurious to agriculture, so that wherever it occurs the
elainea may be considered a beneficial species.

[TREE SWALLOW. Iridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot).
GOLONDRINA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 199) says that he did not observe the tree swallow in Porto Rico
but records it from a picture seen in the album of Bello. Stahl (1883, p. 61), probably
following Gundlach, remarks only that it is a rare migrant, so that, without definite
specimens on record, it can be included only as a hypothetical species. |

BARN SWALLOW. JHirundo erythrogastra Boddaert.
GOLONDRINA.

Of the barn swallow Gundlach (1878, p. 197) says that it arrives from the
north in September and passes on southward. A single bird was seen during
the present work on February 16 near Punta Picua, north of Mameyes. It
would seem to be an irregular visitant during spring and fall migrations. It
is a member of a family whose species are entirely beneficial in their habits.
During its brief stay on the island, it will probably be found only in the
lowlands.

[BANK SWALLOW. Riparia riparia riparia Linneus.
GOLONDRINA RIBERIHGA.

The bank swallow also is recorded by Gundlach (1878, p. 199) on the basis of a picture
seen in the album of Bello, and later records are apparently based upon his statement.
It may occur as a rare migrant from the United States, but must at present be included
only as a hypothetical species. ]

JAMAICAN CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon fulwa peciloma (Gosse).
GOLONDRINA, GOLONDRINA DH CURBVAS.

The Jamaican cliff swallow is a common resident species in Porto Rico, being
most abundant on the western end of the island. A small number were observed
at Humacao, but on the east coast few were noted, and none were seen on the
south coast east of Salinas. For the most part confined to the coast region, they
were found inland only in the northwestern portion extending from Lares
through Utuado to Ciales. This small species occurs ordinarily in small parties,
feeding above pastures, lowland meadows, or along the beaches. On the wing
it is light and graceful and when feeding the flight is very uncertain, the bird
frequently changing its direction. In August little bands of 25 or 30 fed over
the lowlands and perched close together in twittering flocks on telephone wires.
During heavy rainstorms they seemed to have a hard time keeping up against
the downpour, as they continually struggled to rise and were as steadily beaten
down. Such storms would, without doubt, prove fatal to birds not long out of
the nest, with the flight feathers still soft and undeveloped.

This species breeds in colonies in May and June, and nests on overhanging
faces of cliffs or.in caves, a practice so universally recognized that ‘“‘ La cueva de
las golondrinas”’ is a common appellation given to caverns in Porto Rico. In
these a mud rim, made of pellets carried in the bird’s mouth, is thrown up on the

86 BULLETIN. 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

outer edge of small shelves or holes and behind this is placed a felted mass of
plant downs from cactus and other plants to receive the eggs. From fragments
of shells examined the eggs appear to agree closely with those of P. lunifrons,
being white, spotted with reddish brown and lilac. North of Aguadilla about
40 pairs were nesting in small caves in cliffs over the ocean, some only 20 feet
above the waves. All nests were back in holes, and the birds circled about eall-
ing excitedly in a close flock before the entrance, fiying up two or three at a

time to hover before them for an instant. There must be a great mortality -

here among the young, as there is no place for them to go on leaving the nest
except out over the waves, and it was some distance to safety at the top of the
cliffs. East of Lares in “La Cueva Pajita,” a grotto 200 feet long and open at
both ends, was a colony of about 300 of these swallows, some of them near the
entrance, while others had built in so far that in the obscurity the birds could
not be distinguished from the large bats that circled about with them. Some
of the ledges supporting nests were so narrow that the sitting bird was forced
against the wall, greatly abrading the breast feathers. As these abrasions occur
only on one side, the bird must always have faced the same way while on the
nest; both males and females incubate, as these were observed in specimens of
both sexes. About this colony on June 20 immature birds were seen on the
wing, following the parents and teasing for food, while others were still nest
building. When tired the young birds perched in the leafy tops of trees.

A few of these swallows appear to be changing their nesting habits and
method of nest construction by taking advantage of shelters provided by mgn.
Inside the train shed of the Linea Ferrea del Oeste at Bayamon was a small
colony building against the rafters, and one pair had built on a beam in the
gable of a neighboring hotel. The nests were globular in shape, only two being
seen with the long bottle neck found in the nest of P. lunifrons, and those two
were imperfect. Most of these nests had only a large, roughly circular entrance
in the side, and a few were mere platiorms of mud, hardly inclosed.

The ordinary note of this swallow is a soft chu chu, and the males have a
chattering, twittering song given while flying.

Food.—Thirty-six stomachs of this swallow were examined, taken in De-
cember and in the five months from April to August. The greater number were
secured in the western part of the island. In these, animal food forms the entire
content, as might be expected from observing the habits of the bird, vegetable
rubbish occurring in one stomach only, and then in such small amount as to be
inappreciable. Although true bugs (Hemiptera) and flies form goodly items,
the major share of the food is taken from the great army of beetles especially
common in tropical and subtropical regions.

Orthopteran remains found in a single stomach taken in July form 1.39 per
cent of the total. Lantern flies (Fulgorid#) in 11 stomachs amount to 3.47 per
cent, and small species in allied families, with similar injurious habits, among
which may be mentioned jumping plant lice (Psyllidz), come to 1.08 per cent
more. Stinkbugs (Pentatomidz) occurred 16 times and figure as 7.63 per cent.
Most of them were eaten in June, and bugs of this family amount to 22.58 per
cent in that month. Bugs of the chinch-bug family (Lygeids) and others not
determined come to 3.25 per cent.

Among the leaf beetles (Chrysomelid#), which form 8.06 per cent and which
were recognized in 22 stomachs, were the tobacco leaf-heetle (Epitrizr parvuia),
found four times; the bean leaf-beetle (Cerofoma denticornis), likewise found
four times; and a fiea beetle (Systena basalis), found seven times. Other
species were tortoise beetles (Coptocycla signifera), which attack the leaves of
the sweet potato, and a leaf eater (Myochrous sp.). Leaf beetles belonging to
the genus Cryptocephalus were found in 15 stomachs. Engraver beetles (Platy-

*

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 87

pus sp.), eaten by 29 of the birds, amount to 41 per cent of the food for the
period under consideration. They are found in the food of all the months
represented except December, though in July they amount to only 2.17 per cent.
As many as 400 of these beetles were eaten at a single meal, and several birds
had taken 200 or over. Near Aguadilla, in June, the swallows were capturing
large numbers for their young, carrying them in the back of the mouth and below
the tongue in a well-moistened mass. Other snout beetles amount to only 1.19
per cent, but were all small species. Cane shot-hole borers (Xyleborus sp.), of
considerable damage in cane fields and also known to injure the shade trees of
the coffee (Inga vera and I. laurina), were found in seven stomachs. Few
beneficial species were destroyed. Rove beetles (Staphylinide), which feed
upon decaying vegetable and animal matter, were eaten nine times, and lady-
bird beetles four. Together these form but 1.31 per cent, a small amount when
compared with the large bulk of snout beetles consumed. Sap-feeding beetles
(Nitidulids), eaten by eight birds, and water scavenger beetles, detected in five ~
stomachs, together with indeterminate fragments of others, make 4.77 per cent.

Flies (16.07 per cent) were eaten regularly and occur in 20 stomachs; ants in
17 stomachs amount to 9.13 per cent. The latter were taken from clouds of
males and females on their mating flights, and the numbers then destroyed
mean more than when individual workers are eaten, aS each queen may be con-
sidered the nucleus of a new colony. Miscellaneous Hymenoptera make up 2.67
per cent. A moth was found in one stomach. The stomachs of two adults con-
tained bits of snail shell and gravel, and the stomach of a nestling taken in a
cave contained a rough angular bit of gravel of good size. Very few beneficial
insects are taken, the great bulk of the food consisting of directly injurious
species. As the birds feed in loose flocks over a large expanse of territory
they must exert considerable influence where found, and where insects are
abundant they congregate to feed upon them.

From the foregoing it can readily be seen that the cliff swallow is one of
the best friends of the agriculturist. Should the bird modify its breeding habits,
as it now does in a few places, so as to resort to buildings erected by man
rather than to caverns, every encouragement should be offered it and the nests
should in no case be molested. Many believe that swallows bring vermin in
their nests, but it is firmly established that man’s parasites are not borne by
our avian friends, and in case of unwelcome visitations the blame must rest
elsewhere.

The following insects were identified in the stomachs examined:

HEMIPTHRA, COLEOPTERA—continued.
(DALI MS) Oka I get I a eS a pa Or CHMUSCEDES| OTCELLULS a ee ee 1
; Caulopiilusrspece ie ae 1
COLEOPTERA. Platypus) Spi ee eee oe Bee ede Lee 29
COD CLOCUS AST se ae ee PANE TEOMA HOUR TOI AUTS ae Rs ae 1
HER CHO SUL GRASS) yates tne decoder ea eee aces EY CRUSH SD Sel pS IS ees See EM, 1
CECT OMS Pre were Uae Nyreee res hte Hn a baal pe). COLA CRAYON UY HS tS OSA eA TSS Nan ie Gh he 2
Cycloneda imbifer = 2 ewes ae Srlb MYLEVOTWSHANETIN TSE eee ek Pena ace 5
SER BIRERAT AT) S08, Selina ct 1
EMOLUUUS \WITLQtUS = oe aS 1 DIPTERA.
CRUDCOCEDNGLUS SP o= - Se 13
Cryptocephalus pusio 22-2 tt ES COLIS GLORCE PI Stee es ee ts eee 3
MI OCHTOUS Sprise: fae Sere ee a ek eas 1
HOLE CEC CL OSD PERO PN ed IN a agi le 2 HYMENOPTHRA.
JETTA PED PG IXOH ROO HAG ea ae A I IE 4
I SUCT OUS er aes Neti tA yobs saved Wetenae 1 | Cardiocondyla venustula _.-__.______ 1
USEC MOCSOLES) stra Nie Seba sit came Dennis Ml ME TENOLEDIS! Spe aes eee Wailer Ek ibe e Sues 1
Cerotoma denticornis_22--_ =~ SIRUPOneraonaciceps. wii Fae te 2 ee 1

Ooptocycla signifera________---_---~- 1 | Wasmannia auropunctata —___-_----~- 2

88 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

CARIBBEAN MARTIN. Progne dominicensis (Gmelin).
GOLONDRINA, GOLONDRINA DE IGLESIAS,

The Caribbean martin is a common summer resident in all parts of Porto
Rico and occurs also in the island of Vieques. The first were seen at Cayey
on January 23, and after this they were common everywhere. On August 16,
while on the summit of the range above Adjuntas, martins were heard con-
tinually so high overhead that they could not be seen, and occasionally three
or four would sweep down over the slopes for a few minutes. These were evi-.
dently migrant, as they were working steadily southward, though at this date
in some localities martins were still feeding young. Stahl (1887, pp. 450, 451)
says that they arrive regularly from the end of January to the first of Febru-
ary, and gives December 23 as the earliest date in eight years’ observations.
On the wing they are strong and vigorous, sweeping about in large circles, chat-
tering, and calling loudly. The greater number remain close about the towns,
perching on wires and roofs of houses, and feeding high overhead. Sometimes
parties play about the mouths of lagoons and rivers, frequently darting swiftly
down at a boat in the waiter, and then rising abruptly, only to repeat the per-
formance. On cold rainy days they follow cattle in the pastures for the insects
they frighten up, or for flies drawn by them. At Cabo Rojo a parrot in a cage -
screaming and talking interested the martins greatly. Four or five gathered
on a wire above it, peering down, twittering, and lifting the wings nervously
until, at some piercing shriek, they left precipitately.

This species was apparently mated when it arrived, and began at once to in-
vestigate holes in the church towers and eaves of buildings, with much calling
and warbling. In the wilder localities a few sought their ancient nesting sites
in hollow trees, though the greater number nest in the towns. Near Mameyes
a male was seen disputing with a woodpecker the possession of a hole in a coco-
nut palm, and a number were nesting here in suitable localities. On the estate
known as Manantial, north of Guanica, about 30 were nesting in small openings
in the sides of an old brick chimney 75 feet high, and birds were found occupying
holes in trees near the Hacienda Catalina, and along the Rio Guajataca near
Quebradillas. They were observed carrying nesting material as early as the 9th
of February, but nest building seemed to be rather a dilatory process, and eggs
were apparently not deposited before the ist of May. The first young seen on
the wing were observed at Comerio July 27, but fledglings were still being fed
in the eaves of a church at Cabo Rojo the last of August, though apparently
some of the earlier nesting birds had left the island. Only one brood seemed
to be raised.

Food.—Twelve stomachs of the martin were examined, taken in the months
of February and May. These contained animal matter only and usually were
well filled. Though this small number can not serve as a true index to the food, it
gives an idea of the tastes of the bird. A large number of stinkbugs were taken
by nine of the birds, and for the two months amount to 24.17 per cent. Beetles
(7.83 per cent) also were present in nine stomachs. Among injurious species
were leaf beetles, flea beetles, and a small quantity of weevil remains, while others
in the list following are of unknown economic tendencies in the Porto Rican insect
fauna. Remains of flies, mainly so badly broken as to be indeterminate, come to
26.42 per cent and Hymenoptera to 33.41 per cent. The great bulk of the latter
was wasps, only a few parasitic chalcids being found. Dragon fiies (8.09 per
cent) in five stomachs are the only beneficial insects taken in quantity. One
bird had secured a small cricket (Hilipes minuta).

The martin is without doubt a beneficial species and one to be protected. A
few parasitic Hymenoptera are consumed and a little more than 8 per cent of
the food is made up of dragon flies, which destroy many mosquitoes, but

NS Se GO Ry OE Ie

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 89

these are balanced by the larger numbers of stinkbugs and flies eaten, not to
mention many beetles. At Maricao, in the first days of June, thousands of the
destructive termites or white ants were flying in the evenings and in the
dusk a dozen or more martins circled back and forth through them, eating until
they were satisfied. 'These insects feed upon wood and are very destructive,
honeycombing the walls and floors of houses, and building enormous nests in the
forests with covered passageways leading up the trunks of trees; thus in eating
these the martins do good service. Apparently no attempt has been made
to provide these birds with artificial nesting boxes, but there is no reason why
this plan should not prove successful and permit the species materially to in-
crease in numbers. At present the nesting sites suited to their needs are few.
The following insects were identified in the martin stomachs examined:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTHRA—continued.
Bilinesiminuta.= ea a ee ee ees Leal Cry pLOCEDILCULS SP ea ee ee 1
TRUDE NOOUS . Usa a ee 1
HEMIPTERA. COUlophilts spe 22 ee a ee i 1
UO OS ee 1 DIPTERA.
TBhyanta perditons 2222s ese ee 1
TASEOUSI OUULCED Sree 4
COLEOPTERA. Compsomyia macellaria _..-________- 2
Tropisternus collaris___------------- 1 HYMENOPTERA.
Hyperaspis apicalis________-_-------- 1
Carpophilus hemipterus__-__--__--~--- PS Ohalcisespe:2s26tie se Sa ee eee 1

PEARLY-EYED THRASHER. Margarops fuscatus fuscatus (Vieillot).
ZORZAL, ZORZAL PARDO, ZORZAL DE LOS PALMARES, ZORZAL NEGRO, TRUCHE.

The pearly-eyed thrasher is a resident species in this region. On the smaller
islands it is very common, but shy and usually hard to secure, as it lives in the
densest growths of brush, creepers, and cactus. In following the trails I would
see one dart across ahead of me or fly up from the ground at one side, to be lost
immediately. In habits it is remarkably thrushlike.

These birds are very curious, and were attracted by ‘“ squeaking,” while the
outcries of other birds always drew them. When singing they were easily
approached, as with wings and tail hanging they sat on a limb, usually hidden
by leaves. The song resembled the syllables wheur, tel leur, tsee, given brokenly
with many variations, so that, while the notes themselves were pleasing, the
whole effect was disconnected and rambling. The birds sing by the hour, and
the monotony and persistency of the sounds become in time rather wearisome.

Food.—In 88 stomachs of this large, robust thrasher animal matter amounted
to only 12.81 per cent, while vegetable food reached the large sum of 87.19 per
cent. The animal food is scattering, being apparently whatever attracts the
attention of the bird, nearly all of the insects taken being of large size. One
bird collected on Culebra Island April 10 had eaten the nymph of a mole cricket
(Scapteriscus didaciylus). Other orthopteran remains (2.75 per cent) were
found in six stomachs and among them may be noted a walking stick (phasmid)
and a grasshopper (acridid). Weevils (1.86 per cent), occurring four times,
included the cane root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri), a curculio, and others.
Spiders (2.63 per cent), conspicuous in the fauna of the dry islands where the
thrasher is most common, were eaten seven times. Two birds taken in the coast
region had captured crustaceans, one of which was a fiddler crab (Uca pugnaxr
rapaz). 'The birds were seen a time or two in the mangroves peering down with
great interest at the army of crabs marching about beneath them. Vertebrate
remains, a tree toad and two lizards (Anolis sp.), amount to 1.45 per cent.

90 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Besides these a caterpillar, a stinkbug, two earwigs, an ant, and a neuropterous
insect were identified.

The vegetable food is mainly wild fruits or berries, though some of them have
but little pulp surrounding the seeds. The seeds are in most cases regurgitated,
as no trace of gravel for grinding them up and fitting them for digestion was
found, though some were soft enough to be broken up by the stomach alone.
Berries of palms were favorites and fruits of various shrubs of the family
Rubiacez were eagerly sought. The espino (Xanthorylum sp.) and berries of
a palm (Coccothrinax sp.) were each found five times. A few of the seeds
identified (Hypozis sp. and Sida sp.) do not come in the category of fruits and
berries, but with small quantities of vegetable rubbish may have been taken acci-
dentally. None of the vegetable food consumed has any value to man, while the
insects taken, though small in bulk, are of considerable economic importance.
Thus the bird may be classed as beneficial. Hunting it for food should be
prohibited, both because the bird is useful and because the hunter in pursuit of
small birds does not always distinguish between species but kills indis-
criminately.

Following is a list of the seeds identified in the stomachs examined:

Palmo (Coccothrinag sp.)_---------- 5.) Adelia : (Adelie sp) 2. oi eee 2
Palmo real (Roystonea borinquena) __ 2 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.) ~~ 2
Star erass (i ynoris sp.) 2202 1 | Moral -(Cordte sp.) -2= 2) eee 2
IP Yi COlV CER COS Sw ee ee ee 2 | Tantillo (Randia aculeata) __________~ 3
Hspino (Xanthozylum sp.)----_----- 5 | Balsamo colorado (Hamelia patens) _~ 2
Jatropha’ ChALLOpRG Sp.) 2 ee 1 | Bejuco de berac (Chiococca alba)_-~~ x f
Bejuco prieto (Paullinia pinnata)___~ 1 | Palo moro (Psychotria pinularis) _.-~ 2
Sscobs.. (Side Sp) =.= == 2

JAMAICAN MOCKINGBIRD. NMimus polyglottos orpheus (Linnzeus).
RUISHNOR, SINSONTE. :

In Porto Rico mockingbirds are common residents in the lowlands, only a few
being seen above 1,000 feet elevation, though they were found in open pastures
at the highest points visited; for example, near Aibonito, and on Mount Pelado
above Cayey. They seem to thrive best in a dry climate, and are most abundant
along the south coast, while on Vieques they are very common. As usual, these
birds frequent the tree-dotted pastures, hedges, and thickets, though near
Guanica they are common through the open cane fields, feeding on the ground in
newly plowed lands, and following the fences through the cane, where there is no
cover whatever. When flushed in the open fields they fly only short distances
before dropping back to the ground. They are common also in the citrus groves
around Bayamon and Manati.

In pastures and thickets they are shy and secretive, though the males, singing
from the top of some tree or bush or flying up a few feet and then dropping
back, are a conspicuous feature in the landscape. They sang most from Janu-
ary until July, after which they were silent except for their scolding notes.
The nesting season extended from January until June, and after that young
were common. In July and August they were molting. Nest building was
noticed near Caguas January 5, and young birds a week old were found on
Vieques Island April 3. Near Mameyes in February nearly all the birds noted
were incubating. One pair here, by their outcries, drew attention to a small
owl hidden in the brush.

In all the towns visited mockingbirds were prized as cage birds, and taking
the young birds from the nest was a common practice. Usually they were
taken when quite young, and their cages hung out in the bushes, where the
adults could feed them. Fine singers among the males were valued as high as

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 91

$10 or $15. In the country one was occasionally seen in a rude cage made of a
large calabash, with string laced across the opening to prevent escape.

Food.—in 49 stomachs of the mockingbird animal matter forms 31.21 per
cent and vegetable 68.79 per cent. The birds were collected in all the months
from December to August save June and are quite evenly distributed through
the region under consideration. The smallest quantities of animal matter are
found in January and April, 8.5 per cent and 8.14 per cent, respectively. Lepi-
doptera, largely cutworms, and Orthoptera compose the bulk of the animal
matter and the vegetable food is made up of wild fruits and berries. The
relative proportions of animal and vegetable food are practically identical
with those found by Prof. Beal in the examination of a large series of mocking-
birds from California.!

Animal food.—Five of the mockingbirds examined had eaten mole crickets
(Scapteriscus didactylus) (3.62 per cent). Mention has been made of this
bird’s habit of feeding at times in cultivated fields far from its usual cover,
and it is undoubtedly during such forays that these injurious insects are cap-
tured. Other orthopterous remains in 11 stomachs (4.84 per cent) are less
important than the mole cricket, but in capturing them the bird does good
service, aS all are more or less injurious. The first mockingbird collected, taken
at Rio Piedras in December, had eaten a cane root-boring weevil (Diaprepes
spengleri), but this insect was not identified in stomachs subsequently secured.
This with other weevils, among which was a coffee leaf-weevil (Lachnopus sp.),
in four additional stomachs comprise 1.62 per cent. Other beetle remains (2.06
per cent) are all injurious species with the exception of two ground beetles
(carabids). Among these others may be mentioned a leaf beetle (Cerotoma
denticornis) and a tortoise beetle (Coptocycla signifera), while one bird had
captured two wireworms, the immature form of the click beetle. Remains of
Lepidoptera, moths in 2 stomachs and caterpillars in 19, come to 12.4 per cent.
The latter in at least five instances were cutworms, several being found in a
single stomach. These are destructive wherever found. Hymenoptera, largely
ants, form 1.85 per cent. A few chalcid flies in one bird were the only bene-
ficial species identified. Six birds had eaten spiders and one a mite, which
amount to 1.11 per cent. Miscellaneous matter, mollusks, a biting bird louse
(Mallophaga), and earwig remains figure as 2.15 per cent. Stinkbugs, which
were secured four times, amount to 0.93 per cent.

The following insects- were identified in these stomachs:

ORTHOPTHRA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
IUCGHOUGHEEE SO a eee 1 | Cerotoma denticornis ~-__-___________ 1
Homorocoryphus Sp 222===£—-—==_-__ = 1 CoptOCyClG: SION CTO as te eee es 1
Scapteriscus didactylus _____________ ED WI DAO RG ES ES) OU RG Sp ee fi
EAChNODPUSAS DE See ean eee es 1
HEMIPTERA.
HYMENOPTERA.
DRY ONE O SP es Nay ee Eee SUE 1
Campsomeris: dorsata 2-2 es ul
COLEOPTERA. Strumigenys: Spies == Se eee eee 1
Pheidole fallax var. antillensis_______ 2
NELENODNOTUSIESD) 22 ee eee 1 | Odontomachus hematoda subsp. insu-
Atenius stercorator ____~-_-~--~~--~ 1 UCT TS Reta ANNES eels ats ee Bie 2

Vegetable food.—The vegetable food of the mockingbird (68.79 per cent),
though more than double the bulk of the animal food, has little economic sig-
nificance. With the exception of less than 1 per cent of rubbish, it may roughly
be called berries or fruits, all of wild species and none of importance to man.

1Bul. 30, Biological Survey, U. S. Dept. Agr., 1907, p. 53.

92 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Berries of several species of rubiaceous shrubs were eaten freely, while the
moral (Cordia sp.) and roble guayo (Bourreria bourreria) were the greatest
favorites. Small wild figs (Ficus sp.), which grow commonly all through the
country, were found in six stomachs, as were seeds of the nightshade family
(Solanum sp.).

Seeds of plants in the following list were identified in the mockingbird stom-
achs examined:

Paime (Coccothrina® sp) 22) 2 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.)_---_______ 6
Palmo real (Roystonea borinquena) __ 2 | Moral’ (Cordia’ sp.) = 2 eee 5
Wildenet(iGus Spl) 223 2. Bee ee ae 6 | Roble guayo (Bourreria bourreria)___ 9
Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)_~_-__-__ 1 | Pendula (Citharerylum fruticosum) __ 1
Espino (Xanthosylum sp.) _~_~_______ 2 | Lantillo: (Randa sp) eee 2
Bejuco prieto (Paullinia pinnata) ___~ 1 | Balsamo colorado (Hamelia patens)__ 3
Jatcophna (sJarropne sp.) 2. eee 1 | Palo moro (Psychotria sp.) _-___-___— 2
Adelia \(A delia sp Es. 2 eae aE

Summary.—The mockingbird secures a little less than one-third of its aliment
from the animal kingdom, the remainder being wild fruits and berries of no
economic importance. In destroying noxious insects, as cutworms, weevils, and
the notorious changa, it is a great aid to agricultural interests, and as such
should be protected at all times.

PORTO RICAN THRUSH. WMimocichla ardosiacea portoricensis (Bryant).
ZORZAL, ZORZAL AZUL, ZORZAL DE PATAS COLORADAS.

The Porto Rican thrush is a tolerably common resident over the entire island,
though less so on the dry south coast. It is a bird of dense, brushy areas, and
in the hills it frequents coffee plantations, while a region of small streams,
fringed with trees, running through brushy pastures, is also attractive. At
times the birds run on the ground in the open, as robins do, but when flushed
take refuge in thickets. When singing they mount to the top of a tree, perch
in the thick leaves, and pay little or no attention to anyone moving about below.
Their song, as with the pearly-eyed thrasher, is a series of disconnected notes,
some of which are quite musical, and the whole effect is not unpleasing, though
repetition makes it monotonous. Their note was a low wheur-a, like that of a
thrasher, and they were called up frequently by “ squeaking” or by a whistled
imitation.

The breeding season extends from February to June, varying somewhat in
different parts of the island. Near Mameyes in February, birds were seen going
through a sort of mating display, male and female running about on the ground
with heads drawn in, the tail spread wide, and thrown forward over the back,
so that the white tips were prominent. Young birds were common in June and
July, and at that time the adults were molting badly. Taylor (1864, p. 166) has
described the bill, eyelids, legs, and feet as a bright yellow in life, but this does
not hold good in a considerable number of specimens examined in the flesh;
these parts were near flame scarlet,* becoming more orange in June specimens,
which were molting badly.

Near Ciales thrushes were in small bands eating fruit of the laurel (Phebe
elongata), and near Afiasco one was seen eating the berries of the moral (Cordia
sp.) and repeatedly driving out a gray kingbird which attempted to alight in
the tree. They relish also the berries borne by the royal palm (Roystonea
borinquena).

Food.—Thirty-two stomachs of this thrush were available for examination,
all of the months from January to August with the exception of April being

1 Ridgway, Color Standards and Color Nomenclature, 1912 (Jan. 16, 1913).

a

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 93

represented in the series. In these 36.54 per cent of the contents is animal

matter and 63.46 per cent vegetable. Caterpillars, lizards, and beetles form a
large share of the animal food, while the vegetable portion is composed of seeds
and pulp of wild fruits and berries.

Animal food.—The mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus) was eaten by two
birds, though it amounts to only 0.86 per cent of the total, and other orthop-
terous remains in three stomachs come to 0.86 per cent. Beetles (3.86 per cent)
were captured by four birds. One bird had eaten a cane weevil root-borer
(Diaprepes spengleri) and another contained small bits of a wireworm, the
larval form of a click beetle. Fragments of cutworms were present in four
stomachs and unidentified caterpillars in six more, which combined give a bulk
of 12.25 per cent of the total. Ant remains (0.93 per cent), occurring in eight
stomachs, are the only representatives of the great order of Hymenoptera-found
in the study of the food of this bird. Bug remains (Heteroptera) (2.64 per
cent) occur in only two stomachs. In one of these was an odoriferous stink-
bug (Thyanta sp.), a morsel pleasing to an avian palate only. Snails (2.62
per cent) were picked up by four birds and undoubtedly figure regularly in the
food of this thrush, because of its terrestrial habits. Lizards and tree toads
amount to 8.41 per cent and are the only beneficial animals destroyed. One of
the lizards eaten was a siguana (Ameiva exul) and in seven stomachs were
remains of the common lagarto (Anolis sp). Two little tree toads (Hleuthero-
dactylus sp.) were found. An earwig and two myriapods, included as miscel-
laneous items, come to 4.61 per cent.

Though only a trifle more than one-third of its food is composed of animal
matter, this thrush is beneficial in its relation to agriculture. The only ques-
tionable portion of its food is that made up of insectivorous lizards and tree
toads. When, however, the numbers of cutworms, beetles, ants, and bugs are
arrayed against these the balance is decidedly in favor of the bird. Moreover,
should any of the smaller vegetable-feeding snails be found injurious to crops
this thrush would prove an ally against them.

The following were found in the stomachs of the Porto Rican thrush:

ORTHOPTHRA. HY MENOPTERA—continued.
Scapteriscus didactylus ____....---.. 2 | Pheidole fallax var. antillensis___.c__ 2
Solenopsis globularia_______________ al
HEMIPTHRA.

RECN ee SAW OE 1 MOLLUSCA.
Pianorbisvs pe es seein Sa ee eek ee 1
COLEOPTHRA,. Ohoanonoma@: spstes keen b ot ee eet 1

Diaprenes spenglerit__——._ —_ =... 1

VERTEBRATA.
HYMENOPTERA. Eleutherodactylus sp _-__-_-_---------- 2
Camponotus spl ss Ves es se Me NC AUIVEUU Os CD 1 are a eee ee ne eee 1
PTECUL OLE CSD ere ers aes Galea Eh Pi PAR OTS Sp Li SE eS aes ee, a

Vegetable food.—Though the vegetable food of the Porto Rican thrush amounts
to 68.46 per cent, none is of value to man. Berries of the camacey were taken

and drupes of a nightshade (Solanum sp.) were swallowed entire. The small

fruits of wild figs (Ficus spp.), growing as parasites or as true trees, were also
relished, being found in five stomachs, and undoubtedly all the common wild
fruits of the island are eaten in season.

The following seeds were identified :

NVI he GHieus Sps)iit 2 ke se ees 5 | Camacey (Miconia prasina) ---------- 1
Tabonuco (Daecryodes sp.) -___=--__ 1 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.)_-----~--- 3
Bejuco prieto (Paullinia pinnata)_._.. 2 | Moral (Cordia sp.)____------------- 1
Camacey (Miconia sp.) -_-.--____-__- 2 | Balsamo colorado (Hamelia patens)_._ 1

94. BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

[WOOD THRUSH. Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin).
TORDO. S

Gundlach (1878, p. 170) saw a drawing of the wood thrush in the album of Bello, made
from a specimen taken by Don Celedonio-Carbonell, of Cabo Rojo. Stahl (1883, p. 58)
says that it is a very rare visitant, but noted no actual specimens. As this evidence does
not appear sufficient to establish the wood thrush as a valid member of the Porto os
avifauna it is included as hypothetical. ]

PORTO RICAN CROW. Corvus leucognaphalus leucognaphalus Daudin.
CUERVO.

Formerly reported abundant over much of the island, the Porto Rican crow
is now almost extinct. A few are said to occur below San Sebastian, and in the
more inaccessible portions of El Yunque they are still fairly common. Occa-
sionally small flocks come down from the mountains to the coast near Mameyes.
There. were formerly a few near Utuado, but Mr. L. B. Strube, of the Hacienda
Jobo, says that none have been seen there for five or six years, though there is
no apparent reason for their disappearance, as on his plantation at least they
were not disturbed. In the region between Lares and Las Marias it was said
that there was formerly a smaller species that had not been seen for many years,
and it is possible that there were once two species on the island, as on Santo
Domingo and Cuba to-day.

These birds have more the nature, habits, and call notes of ravens than crows.
They seem to thrive only where there are extensive growths of natural forest,
and when these are cut down the crow disappears. In March along the west
fork of the Rio Mameyes they were breeding, the nests apparently containing
both eggs and well-grown young. All were inaccessible, however, being located
in the tops of the tall tabanuco trees. The adults kept well concealed in the
leaves high above, and only by patient watching could they be located. They
exhibited considerable curiosity, however, and once, when I was hidden in some
tall grass, two flew down to examine the place. On a second visit to this colony
all the birds left, going higher into the mountains, though every half hour or
so four or five would come circling back, high in the air, and perhaps one or two
would alight on a dead limb projecting above the forest, where they croaked and
called, lifting the wings nervously. Later a flock of about 25 were found near
the forks of the Rio Mameyes, but these were very wild, keeping entirely to the
higher slopes. On days when it was cold and rainy on the summit of El
Yunque they descended into the warmer valleys, as the parrots did, and when
it cleared circled back to the higher peaks.

The ordinary call note is a high klook, or a deep wal-lough, varied by any
number of indescribable gutturals and gabbling calls, with none of the vocifer-
ous cawing of our crows. The natives claim that the birds live for many years,
and credit them with great sagacity, asserting that birds captured while young
may be taught to speak a few words of Spanish. They are prized as food by
the country people and were formerly hunted as game.

Food.—In nine stomachs collected around El Yunque in March animal food
amounts to only 10.56 per cent, and is composed of fragments of a nestling
passerine bird in one stomach and bones of tree toads (Hleutherodactylus sp.)
in two others. The vegetable food (89.44 per cent), by far the larger part, is
made up of wild berries and drupes of a number of species, several of which
were unknown. The drupes of the tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa) were found
in three stomachs and a palm berry (Acrisita monticola) in another, while seeds
of rubiaceous plants were common. In the field the birds were observed feed-
ing on the guaraguou (Guarea trichiloides), tabonuco, and jagua (Genipa sp.),
and other fruits are added to its dietary as the seasons change. None of these
are of economic importance, but the animals destroyed are all friends of man,

AG Oe a” EP ey ee

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 95

so that the crow is an injurious species. Its numbers, however, are now s0
few and it is so closely confined to its restricted range that it has little or no
influence on the balance of nature. Hence no destructive measures are neces-
sary, and it should be conserved as an interesting species. Unlike the crow of
the United States, it can not accommodate its habits to changed conditions and
can be expected to survive only in the Government forest reserve on El Yunque
de Luquillo.

LATIMER’S VIREO. Vireo latimeri Baird.
JULIAN CHIVI.

Latimer’s vireo is a tolerably common resident species in Porto Rico, found
in many localities, though having a local range. None were observed east of
Trujillo Alto, Caguas, and Patillas, and-in the western part of the island they
were found only under certain conditions. The birds frequented coffee planta-
tions somewhat, but were most common in the limestone hills, covered with
dense brush and matted with creepers, a prominent feature of the landscape
along the north coast. In the dry hills of the south coast also they were com-
mon and were perhaps most abundant in the forest growth along the Rio de la
Lapa, back of Salinas. They worked industriously through the brush and
tangles, sometimes high up in the trees, but more often near the ground. They
exhibited some curiosity, and once one came out and scolded with a wrenlike
chatter for several minutes, until the brush was full of peering grassquits,
honey creepers, and spindalis. The females seem to be almost silent, but the
males sing incessantly a sharply accented song, in imitation of which it gets its
native name of julian chi-vi. There are two distinct strains in this song, and
the bird sometimes changes from one to the other, repeating them 22 or 23 times
a2 minute, frequently keeping this up for an hour. <A quick scolding note like
chee chee chur chur chur is sometimes heard.

The birds nested in April and May, and young birds were seen July 5 still
following their parents with soft call notes. Bowdish (1902-8, p. 16) records
immature birds taken as late as October. In May the males sang incessantly,
frequently remaining on one perch for half an hour or so, but by the middle of
June they were mostly silent. e

Food.—¥orty-three stomachs of this bird were collected, representing the food
of every month from December to August, inclusive, except March, and it was
found that 86.21 per cent of the contents by bulk was formed by animal matter
and 18.79 per cent by vegetable. Orthoptera, Homoptera, and Lepidoptera are
the largest items in the class of insects, while the vegetable matter is com-
posed of seeds.

Animal food.—Even Latimer’s vireo relishes nymphs of the mole cricket
(Scapteriscus didactylus), which were found in 6 stomachs, though they amount
to but 0.9 per cent. Grasshopper remains were found in 6 stomachs, and inde-
terminate Orthoptera in 10. One bird had secured a roach and another a man-
tis. All of these make up 21.77 per cent, a surprising amount for a bird of this
family. The insects taken were almost. entirely nymphs, though some larger
adults were secured. Undoubtedly nearly all the unidentified material be-
longed to the family Locustide, as the members of this group are found largely
in foliage. Of the true bugs, homopterous remains come to 15.1 per cent, much
of which is formed by cicadas (Proarno hilaris), large morsels for a bird of
this size. Many lantern flies and leaf hoppers also were secured, the first named
being found frequently. ‘Two assassin bugs and three stinkbugs come to 3.67
per cent. Leaf beetles (Chrysomelide) were found in 6 stomachs and amount
to 2.76 per cent, while longicorn bettles make up 1.75 per cent. Snout beetles
were found in 21 stomachs and, though amounting to only 3.26 per cent, are an -

06 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

important item, as they are all species of small size. The rice weevil (Calandra
oryz@), a species well known as a pest in stored grains, flour, and other food-
stuffs, was identified three times. Miscellaneous beetles—click beetles, fireflies,
buprestids, and others—amount to 3.56 per cent. ;

Caterpillars, all small, were found in 14 stomachs, and the remains of moths,
frequently a mere trace of scales, in 7; these total 21.88 per cent, one of the
most important divisions in the food. The remains of Diptera amount to 1.25
per cent, and Hymenoptera to only 0.92 per cent. The latter are mainly bene-
ficial, in one stomach being found a parasite of ants (Kapala sp.), and in an-
other a small bee. Spiders (6.29 per cent) occur in 12 stomachs. Three birds
had eaten earwigs, and one had captured a tiny lizard. Miscellaneous matter
makes up 3.1 per cent.

Latimer’s vireo is entirely beneficial, the only valuable insects consumed being
a few parasitic Hymenoptera and predacious ladybird beetles. In addition to
these, the spiders may be considered of value; but arrayed against this meager
showing are hosts of destructive beetles, bugs, and caterpillars. At present the
birds frequent the coffee plantations, and, as they are common in places about
the borders of citrus groves in brushy areas, they may in time extend their for-
aging into the groves themselves. It is rather surprising to find a small bird
feeding upon the mole cricket, but this is understood when it is seen how largely
other Orthoptera enter into its diet.

The following insects were identified in these stomachs:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Peripranetar sp. 22s 222 r Sa see 1° | Aemecdera sp oho ist Lt eee 2
Scapteriscus didactylus _____--_-~--- 6)| Photinus sp 22252 Se See ae eee 1
Houria “Sp - =~ 2 See a ee 2
HEMIPTHRA. heptostyus sp2 = 2s 4
Cryptocephalus sp ee 5
OFINCNISESP 2 Beka. GIs he tend eae | Myochrous spose 2) se eee 1
TEXROUITTOO) 3 OAL US a ee ee 6 4) Helops)(sp2oo22 ek Se eee 2
PRYGNtESD== ae SP 23 EAT AON a ata 10 Stirongylium Spee ee 1
HUuscepes~ porcellus 2 See 3
COLEOPTERA. Calandra orye@ -----------------__- 3
Scymnus roseicotlis_____.__------__-= 1 ceRETER aa e
Monocrepidius bifoveatus _-_-------~-- Ll Kapale ‘spleeses 3 eae ee eee pare f

Vegetable food.—Though vegetable items come to 13.79 per cent in these
stomachs, none are of commercial value, all being small wild berries. This
is much more vegetable food than has been found in representatives of. this
family in the United States, and, as it occurs in 23, or more than half of the
total number of stomachs examined, it may be considered a regular constituent
of the food. The berries of the camacey (Miconia prasina) and espino seem
to be the most favored. Every stomach taken in December contained large
numbers of these seeds; for this month they form exactly one-third of the bulk,
but in the following months they are more scattering. No sand or gravel was
found, so that berries must have been eaten solely for the pulp, though some of
the softer seeds may have been digested. The following seeds were found:

Paspalum (Paspalum sp.)-----______ 1 | Camacey (Miconia prasina)——-----~- 11
Vineerillo Ovals sp:) 22 es 1 | Adelia (Adelia, sp.) = 33322 1
Espino (Xanthozylum sp.)---------- 8 | Ajl (Capsicum sp) = eee 1

[RED-EYED VIREO. Vireosylva olivacea (Linneus).
BIEN-TE-VEO.

Gundlach (1878, p. 169) saw the red-eyed vireo figured in the album of Bello, who drew
it from a specimen in the collection of Don Celedonio-Carbonell. This record is not con-
sidered sufficient to include the bird as a Porto Rican species, except as hypothetical. It
might be easily confused with a worn or poorly marked specimen of the J amaican vireo.]

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 97

JAMAICAN VIREO. Vireosylva calidris calidris (Linnzus).
BIEN-TE-VEO.

The Jamaican vireo is a common summer visitant to this region. The first
one was seen near Mameyes February 14, and from that date on they were
common. Ranging over the entire island of Porto Rico, they were found every-
where in coffee plantations, brushy pastures and ravines, and in shade trees
about houses. Bowdish (1902-8, p. 16) remarks that apparently they are par-
tially migratory, while Gundlach (1878, p. 168) says that they occur from Feb-
ruary 14 to the end of August. In the National Museum is a specimen taken
February 138, 1899, at Hucares, by A. B. Baker, of the Fish Commission, while
Stahl (1887, p. 451) notes one February 5, 1887, the earliest date known for the
species. Males seemed to arrive first and came in full song, while no female was
actually taken until April 11, after which they, too, were common. On March 9
there was a migratory wave of these vireos, as in the morning at the Hacienda
Catalina the coffee plantations. were full of their songs but next day they were
gone. In fall these birds had completed the molt by the first week in August,
and on the 16th of that month their numbers suddenly decreased, after which
they were evidently migrating, the last one being observed on August 31 at
Cabo Rojo.

Slow and leisurely in habit, they work through the leaves and twigs, some-
times singing for several minutes from one perch and exhibting no fear. The
song is a series of couplets, closely resembling that of the red-eyed species, and
they have the usual scolding note of the vireos. The breeding season began
the first of May and lasted through June. No nests were found, but at Lares
June 29 a boy brought in a nestling and described the nest as being in a banana
plant. A juvenal female in the National Museum was taken at Mayagtiez
May 30, 1901, by Bowdish. Throughout July young birds were common, either
shifting for themselves or following their parents with a soft insistent chit chit,
while the adults answered with another low plaintive note, different from the
usual call. Two seemed to be the usual number in a brood. During the breed-
ing season the birds have a circumscribed range. Often a male was found in
a small isolated grove and remained there throughout the day. In August only
a few were heard singing. The iris of this species is bright reddish brown.

Highty-four stomachs of the Jamaican vireo were examined, distributed
evenly through the months from February to August, and animal food was
found to comprise 42.18 per cent and vegetable 57.82 per cent.

Animal food.—Remains of grasshoppers (Locustidz) were found in. three
stomachs, elongated walking sticks (Phasmidz) in two, miscellaneous Orthop-
tera in nine, and mantids in three. These in combination come to 6.34 per cent.
Cicadas (Proarno hilaris) were eaten by six birds, a lantern fly (Ormenis sp.)
by one, and other small Homoptera by three, all amounting to 6.37 per cent.
Among other bugs one stinkbug (Nezara sp.) was identified and one squash bug
(Spartocera fusca), both members of families whose species are injurious.
These with bits of an ambush bug come to 1.92 per cent.

Leaf beetles comprise 1.51 per cent of the total bulk and the cane weevil
root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri), found in three instances, 0.51 per cent.
Other snout beetles, which in three instances were coffee leaf-weevils, amount
to 3.35 per cent. Weevils as a class occurred in 32 stomachs, so that they are
an important item in the food. Ladybird beetles were eaten five times, but
only made 0.42 per cent. A few darkling, longicorn, and dung beetles amount
to 0.64 per cent. Twenty-one birds had eaten caterpillars, which as vegetable
feeders must be reckoned as injurious. They form the largest item of the ani-
mal food (9.7 per cent). Hymenoptera, at least half of which may be called

9767°—Bull. 8326—16——-7

98 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

beneficial, amount to 2.03 per cent. A wasp and an ant were identified among
these. Diptera amount to only 0.21 per cent and were eaten by a Single bird
in February. Earwigs (0.83 per cent) were taken six times. Spiders (7.74
per cent), eaten by 30 birds, were taken in largest numbers in March and April.
Little tree toads (Eleutherodactylus sp.) were captured twice, and with a very
small quantity of miscellaneous matter make up 0.61 per cent.

The only harm done by this vireo is in the destruction of a few ladybirds,
beneficial Hymenoptera, and tree toads. But to offest these are found much >
larger numbers .of injurious beetles, bugs, caterpillars, and other insects, in
destroying which great good is accomplished. The bird is especially useful in
coffee plantations and it abounds there. It comes, too, about the villages and
country houses, where it aids in ridding the shade trees of their pests.

The following were definitely identified in the stomachs:

HEMIPTERA. _ COLEOPTERA—continued.
Ormenis: SpP_2 a eee ee See eee 1 | -Cryptocephatis- sp eee 9
iPrOGrTno- Niassa Sa eee 6) 4} Byochrousiisps S22 ste ee Seeger 1
PhyMetaisp 22 eee eee 1.|. Helops sp 22-2223 = 4%) 5 oe eee 2
Spartocerd. [use@=— —2 3 2 eee d.-| -BaQchnopus Sp 222) = eee 3
N€20r@ ‘SP s22eo. 2 eS ee ee ee ee | Dianrepes: spenglent = ee 3
COLEOPTERA. HYMENOPTERA.
SCUMNLVSkSp) =e eee ee 3. |=Cerceenis“sp222 22.2.2 eee a3
Cyclonedastimbijenr == SS 3
Atenius stercorator _--______-_-___-___ 1 VERTEBRATA.
PN OUTUG aS Pers Sees Le ees ak
WentOStyluUs SD 2 a. ee eee if Hleutherodactylus sp —-2 22 2

Vegetable food.—Vegetable matter (57.82 per cent) was found in 80 of the
84 stomachs available for laboratory examination. It was composed almost
entirely of wild fruits and berries, though frequently its presence was detected
only by the seeds, the pulpy exterior having been completely digested. In some
eases also only the skins of small fruits were found, so that possibly the pits
are sometimes removed before swallowing. None of the fruits taken have any
importance to man nor would their dissemination through seeds scattered by the
birds be of any consequence. Those sought most eagerly may be determined
from the list which follows:

Wild thi sa(eus SDs) =] oe ee 2 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.)---------- 3
Espino (Xanthorylum sp.) ---------- 9 |All (Capsicum asp)): 2S eae 8
Guaraguou (Guarea trichilioides)_.__._ 11 | Moral (Cordia sp.)_-___-___-___-___- 6
TACLOPNA se (AALOP NG aSps) eee 2 | Roble guayo (Bourreria sp.) -_-_----= al
Camaicey, .(Mconia. Sp) ee 2 | Tantillo. (Rendia-aculeatia)= == 2223 1
Camacey (Miconia prasina) _-___--_- 1 | Palo moro (Psychotria brachiata) __-~ 1
Adelia: (Adelia, isps): 24 asso ee 15 | Conecombre (Cucumis sp) == 1

AMERICAN REDSTART. Setophaga ruticilla (Linneus).
REINITA, CANDELITA, COLI RUBIO.

The American redstart is a common winter visitant to Porto Rico. The last
one for the spring I saw on Culebra Island April 19, and Dr. Richmond (MS.)
noted one at Ponce April 16, 1900. Stahl (1887, p. 451), says that they arrive
from the north in August. These birds frequent the mangroves, forest growths,
and coffee plantations, and sometimes shade trees about houses. The greater
portion seen were immature birds and females, though occasionally males in
full plumage were observed. As always, these birds were very active, Searching
through the limbs for insects, and expertly catching insects on the wing. On El
Yunque, in the dense forests, they were seen up to 1,500 feet altitude, and else-

:
:
E:

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 99

where in more open localities were found at the highest elevations. Next to the
parula warbler this is the most common of the wintering warblers.

Food.—Thirteen stomachs of the redstart were examined, taken in December,
January, February, and April, and in these animal food amounts to 100 per
cent. Small lantern flies (Fulgoride) occur nine times and form 37.23 per cent
of the total. Longicorn beetles make up 0.57 per cent, snout beetles 1.5 per
cent, and miscellaneous species 2.54 per cent. All are classed as injurious
species save a Single ladybird beetle, so small that it is lost in the bulk of others.
Moth remains amount to 11.75 per cent, while no caterpillars were eaten.
Hymenopteran remains (6.67 per cent) were found in five stomachs. Approxi-
mately two-thirds of these are small species, probably of parasitic habit. One
that parasitizes ants was definitely identified as a species of Kapala. Diptera
(39.24 per cent) were present in eight of the stomachs examined. One bird had
eaten a spider, and another insect eggs, both amounting to only 0.5 per cent.

Though present only in winter, this small warbler is a bird of economic im-
portance. It destroys thousands of lantern flies, abundant in the trees and
shrubbery, as well as many beetles, moths, and flies. A very small percentage
of its food is taken from beneficial species of insects, the remainder being
entirely injurious. This bird is entirely insectivorous and does not feed upon
any of the abundant wild berries, a fact that increases its importance, as it
destroys proportionately more insects than do the more or less vegetarian resi-
dent species of similar habit.

The following insects were identified in these stomachs:

HEMIPTERA. DIPTERA.
CTO a a = Compsomyia macellaria _-___---_____ 1
COLEOPTERA Bristalisatbicens =< 2 tae ea ses ae 1
five SOLEOV RAG ASP ee See eee 1
Scymnws roseicotlis2=: =a es 2a if.
WE CDEOSTULIUSHASD ate pera > ae Oe ee il HYMENOPTERA.
Cr PLOCEDI GUIS Spa. ee ee 1
Whordellistend Spon ee i) Gay Naas Sit Ea EE a 1
LWSCEDES POnCCllusa = — =e eee eee al
PLOCUDUSH ESD ee eee ee ee 1

NORTHERN YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla (Swainson).
Pica TIERRA.

The northern yellow-throat is of uncertain status for Porto Rico. Hartlaub
(1847, p. 611) includes it in his list, and Gundlach quotes this record. Stahl
(1883, p. 59) says that it is a rare migrant, and Gundlach (1878, p. 187) remarks
that it is a rare winter visitant, but does not say that he secured it. Cory
(1892, p. 119) lists it for Porto Rico without comment.

WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis (Gmelin).
PIZPITA DE MANGLE, PIZPITA CHICA.

The water-thrush is a fairly common winter visitant in the coastal region of
Porto Rico, being noted at Mameyes February 9 to 29 and Cabo Rojo August 30.
Dr. Richmond (MS.) saw one at Arecibo April 1, 1900, and Bowdish collected one
on Mona Island August 18, 1901, where he found them fairly common. I saw
them on Culebra Island from April 6 to 19, and one was noted on Louis Pefia
Island (Southwest Cay) April 11. In life this water-thrush can not be dis-
tinguished from the next subspecies described, Grinnell’s water-thrush (Seiurus
noveboracensis notabilis), and part of the above records refer to the latter.
Specimens of this form were collected only on Culebra Island April 6 and 12.

100 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

There is no reason to suppose, however, that it was not at least as common as
S. n. notabilis in the other localities noted.

These water-thrushes occur only in the mangroves of the coastal region,
where they are found about bays and lagoons feeding on the ground, and though
their sharp call notes are heard repeatedly, the birds themselves are usually
hidden. While I was watching for clapper rails they frequently came walking
along through the mud and over the roots, teetering the tail incessantly. In
April they were singing as clearly as in the North.

Food.—TIwo specimens of this subspecies and two of S. n. notabilis were col-
lected and their food is considered together. Of these four stomachs one was
taken at Mameyes in February and the other three on Culebra Island in April.
Fly pupsze and a few adults were present in three stomachs and amount to 43
per cent of the total. Ants (24 per cent), of which one bird had eaten 40, were
found in three stomachs. Water scavenger beetles were found in two instances
and a hister beetle (Hister sp.) once. In one stomach were five water boatmen
(Plea sp.) and another aquatic bug, and two contained the remains of small
crabs (in one case of Uca). In single stomachs were found the jaw of an
orthopteran, a lantern fly, and a bone from the head of a tiny fish.

In destroying ants and fly larve these birds are beneficiai, and though few in
number they aid in restraining these insects. Only part of the beetles taken
may be considered beneficial, and these are relatively small in bulk. In working
over the muddy floors of the great mangrove Swamps they perform a service
peculiar to themselves and one or two species of similar habits, and are of un-
doubted value.

GRINNELL’S WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Ridgway).
PIZPITA DB MANGLHE, PIZPITA CHICA.

One Grinnell’s water-thrush was collected at Mameyes February 14 and an-
other on Culebra Island April 12. This is the first record from Porto Rico. In
habits and actions it is similar to the typical subspecies, in the discussion of
which will be found brief notes on its food. Both of these water-thrushes are
beneficial.

LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus motacilla (Vieillot).
PIzPITA CHICA.

The Louisiana water-thrush is a fairly common winter visitant to Porto Rico.
The birds may arrive in September, though there are no positive records, and
the first that I saw were at Cayey January 17. They were common in the man-
grove swamps along the coast and inland followed the rapid streams, frequenting
the parts bordered by brushy growth or running through coffee and banana
plantations. ‘The call note is noticeably higher than that of the other water-
thrush, from which it can readily be distinguished.

Food.—In five stomachs collected at Cayey and Aibonito in January animal
- food forms 98 per cent, vegetable 2 per cent. Remains of flies (33 per cent) were
present in three stomachs. Water beetles (Parnidee and others) were found in
three stomachs and leaf beetles in two. In one bird was a tree hopper and in
two others were indeterminate bug remains. A dragon fly was found once and
spider remains and bits of a scorpion twice. Three-fourths of the contents of
one stomach was composed of fragments of a snail, and in another was found
a tree toad (Hleutherodactylus sp.). Two birds had eaten seeds, in one case
those of the aji (Capsicum sp.). In these birds the number of harmful insects
consumed is slightly in excess of the beneficial species destroyed (including
also spiders and the tree toad).

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 101

OVEN-BIRD. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linneus).
PIZPITA DORADA.

The oven-bird is a tolerably common winter visitant to Porto Rico and Vieques
Island. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 19) notes one October 14, 1901, as his first fall
record, and Gundlach (1878, p. 175) says that they arrive in October. Birds
were seen in the forests of El Yunque up to 900 feet elevation, and in the central
part of the island they were observed at Aibonito (1,900 feet altitude). They
frequent thickets and second-growth forests many times in dry localities. Here
they feed on the ground, flying up to low perches when alarmed. They were
entirely silent. In the coastal regions they are frequently seen in cane fields.

Food.—In 138 stomachs of this bird available for laboratory examination
animal food amounts to 62.48 per cent and vegetable to 37.57 per cent. These
birds were collected in the months from December to April, inclusive. In all
these stomachs were considerable quantities of gravel, and all animal matter
was ground very fine. Weevil remains (4.8 per cent) were present in four
stomachs taken in April. Other beetle remains (9.63 per cent) in eight stomachs
were so finely broken that they could not be determined. Ants were eaten by
eight birds and form the large amount of 8.5 per cent. Other Hymenoptera
make up only 0.4 per cent. Orthopterous remains (2.17 per cent) include a
walking stick, a grasshopper, and others. A caterpillar (0.5 per cent) was
found in one stomach and spiders (2.83 per cent) in three. Snails, in most
instances broken up in very small pieces, were eaten by eight birds and amount
to 30.17 per cent. A single tree toad comprises 0.98 per cent and miscellaneous
animal matter 8 per cent.

The oven-bird is wholly beneficial in its food habits and is remarkable for the
large number of ants eaten, as well as many weevils and other beetles. Snails
are much relished, and form nearly half the animal food. A list of identified
specimens in different classes follows:

COLEOPTERA. MOLLUSCA.
HAUSCCAECS DOT COURS = = a kee een Et EL AWVORO TSR DE eee Serer nee hs ee 1
SU0ULINGS SD vee Si are eS eee eee. 2
HYMENOPTERA.
; VERTEBRATA.
Wasmannia auropunctata _..--______ ail
Cyphomyrmen rimosus__________-___ AG || VECO NEGROES “VLA ee 1

Vegetable food.—Of the vegetable matter contained in these stomachs 36.9
per cent was composed of seeds and 0.67 per cent may be classed as rubbish.
The oven-bird has a strong, muscular gizzard and takes large quantities of
sand, so that the seeds are broken and ground until they are fit for digestion.
None are of economic value, aS may be judged from the list which follows:

Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens) ~~ _- 4 | Camacey (Miconia prasina) -_______ 3
Paspalum (Paspalum sp.)----------- 2) |) Concombre (Cucumis) sp) 2222 2
WeaAkerass (AYNOLUS | Sp.) ee 3

PALM WARBLER. Dendroica palmarum palmarum (Gmelin).
RBINITA, BIJIRITA DH PALMAS, BIJIRITA PALMERA. ji

A single specimen of the palm warbler, a rare winter visitant to Porto Rico,
was taken in a mangrove swamp bordering the Rio Mameyes, north of Mameyes,
on February 16, 1912. In the United States National Museum is a specimen
taken January 8, 1899, at Caguas by A. B. Baker, and another from Arecibo,
April 4, 1900, by Dr. C. W. Richmond. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 18) records them
from San Juan February 12, March 10, and April 8, 1900. The stomach of the
Single bird collected at Mameyes was empty.

102 BULLETIN 3826, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

PRAIRIE WARBLER. Dendroica discolor (Vieillot).
REINITA, BIJIRITA GALANA.,

The prairie warbler is apparently much more common as a migrant than as
a true winter visitant. Bowdish (1902-8, p. 19) records it on September 23,
1900, and the last birds seen in the present investigations were noted on April
10, on Culebra Island. In Porto Rico these birds occur at the highest altitudes
(above Aibonito, at 2,000 feet), and are found in brushy growths, in pastures
where there are thickets, and along the hedges of emajagua (Paritium Ttili-
aceun.). Dry, brushy growths back of the beaches also are favorite places, and
many live in the dry forests of Vieques. In spring there was a marked diurnal
movement toward the west, and on Vieques there were distinct waves of migra-
tion on March 19 and March 27. Another was noted on Culebra Island on
April 9. In each case the birds were in company with many other warblers.

Food.—For the study of the food of the prairie warbler 15 stomachs, taken
in December, January, March, and April, were available. Animal food forms
the entire content. The largest single item in these stomachs is composed of
Fulgoride#, which comprise 42.78 per cent of the food and were found in nine
stomachs. Other bug remains, mainly fragments of an ambush bug (Phymata
sp.), make up 1 per cent. Three birds had eaten leaf beetles (2.9 per cent)
and one a weevil (0.2 per cent). Other beetle remains, among which a longi-
corn, a skin beetle, and a click beetle were identified, make up 12.9 per cent.
Caterpillars found by five birds and moths by two make 12.7 per cent, while
fly remains in two amount to 0.35 per cent. Ants in four stomachs form 3.72
per cent of the total, while other Hymenoptera, captured by a single bird, come
to only 0.1 per cent. The only questionable part of the food of this bird is
found in the large number of spiders eaten (19.59 per cent). These are found
in eight, or more than half, of the stomachs examined. Miscellaneous animal
matter totals 3.76 per cent.

Among beneficial species the prairie warbler ranks high, as practically four-
fifths of its food is composed of harmful insects. Its destruction of spiders is a
questionable benefit, but it consumes such large numbers of lantern flies (Fulgor-
ide) that there can be no doubt as to its usefulness. In common with other
birds of the same family, the wood warblers, it feeds to a considerable extent
on ants while in Porto Rico, insects that in the Tropics are very destructive.

The following were identified in these stomachs:

HEMIPTERA. ARACHNIDA,
Orménis sp S222 Bee -ee8e. soe ee 2 Wala Gernalis). = 2 ee eee 1
PRYMGER {SD ea as ee 1-| Theriduta triangularits —_—=>- 1
Vitellus sp. See eee 1
COLEOPTERA.
Grypiocephatus ‘sp ee 3 =

BLACK-POLL WARBLER. Dendroica striata (J. R. Forster).
RBEINITA, BIJIRITA ESTRIADA, BIJIRITA RAYADA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 181) observed the black-poll warbler, a rare migrant in
Porto Rico, in October at Aguadilla, and records one as seen at Bayamon.
Stahl (18838, p. 139) had a male taken in Porto Rico in his collection, and (1887,
p. 451) says that the birds arrive the middle of August.

ADELAIDE'S WARBLER. Dendroica adelaide Baird.
REINITA, BIJIRITA ADELAIDA, BIJIRITA MARIPOSERA,

A fairly common resident species in Porto Rico, Adelaide’s warbler occurs
in most parts of the island, but is local in distribution. The only ones seen at

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 103

a high altitude were in the limestone hills west of Cayey, at about 1,200 feet
elevation, the birds being found elsewhere mainly below 500 feet. They are
fairly common on Vieques also, and this is the first time they have been recorded
from that island.

On the south side of Porto Rico they are found in dry forest growth covering
the hills, and on the north coast in second-growth forest tangled with vines
and creepers, and where these conditions are wanting the birds are not found.
Quick and active in habits, they feed rapidly through the tips of the twigs,
tumbling down through the limbs after a moth or flying out to capture an es-
caping insect on the wing. They are partial to dense tangles of vines, and,
though not wild, it was sometimes hard to find them for this reason. The song
of the male is a sudden trilling outburst, somewhat like that of the pine warbler
(Dendroica v. vigorsi), and always there follow protesting notes from a female
near by. The males sing at short intervals during the forenoon and evening
and occasionally during the heat of the day. Many were seen along the Rio
de la Lapa, back of Salinas, where they were exceptionally abundant.

The birds appear to nest in May and June, and young were first observed near
Quebradillas July 3, but after that date they were common. Near Yauco, on
May 22, a nest was found in a thicket, not quite completed. It was saddled ina
forked limb of a bush, about 4 feet from the ground. Externally its construc-
tion was of gray moss, shading in perfectly with its surroundings, while the
lining was of fine grass. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 18) secured a juvenal male near
Aguadilla June 15. The birds were molting badly in August.

Food.—For detailed analysis 41 stomachs of this bird were available, taken
in every month from December to August except June. These contained noth-
ing but animal matter. Six birds had secured Orthoptera, 2.61 per cent of
the total. Three of these had eaten grasshoppers (Locustidxz). Insects that
were actually identified as lantern flies amount to 46.82 per cent, and were
found in 24 of the stomachs, while remains definitely determined only as those
of small homopterous insects come to 12.73 per cent more. Thus these insects,
destructive to many cultivated plants, form a little more than two-thirds of
the entire food. Other bugs, assassin bugs in two instances, form 1.84 per cent.
One bird had taken 12 stinkbug eggs.

Beetles are well represented and, with the exception of ladybird beetles in
three instances (0.05 per cent), are all harmful species. Skin beetles come to
0.28 per cent and longicorns to 5.81 per cent. Leaf beetles (1.92 per cent) were
eaten by 11 birds. Among the weevils, curculios, found in seven instances, come
to 3.33 per cent and other snout beetles amount to 2.53 per cent. A few miscel-
laneous Coleoptera remains figure as 0.86 per cent. Caterpillars were eaten 6
times and moths 11, all amounting to 11.23 per cent. Hymenoptera comprise
2.12 per cent of the food, and are mostly small parasitic species, though ants
were eaten three times. Spiders (7.29 per cent) were eaten 14 times. Diptera
comprise only 0.45 per cent, and miscellaneous animal matter 0.68 per cent. One
tree toad (Hleutherodactylus sp.) was eaten.

Adelaide’s warbler is one of the few endemic birds that draw their entire
sustenance from the animal kingdom. Enormous numbers of small Homoptera
are destroyed by these birds3 in fact, from this group of insects alone is gathered
more than two-thirds of the bird’s entire aliment. Besides these, many harmful
weevils and other beetles, caterpillars, moths, and other insects are destroyed.
In capturing small numbers of ladybird beetles, parasitic Hymenoptera, and
spiders, some damage is done, but this is compensated for many times over by
the great numbers of injurious insects which form the bulk of the food.

104 BULLETIN 826, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The following were identified in the stomachs:

HEMIPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.

Ornmenis “Sp: 2. ee eee » | Buscepes porceltus= == eee 1
ALDI AS Paso seek: Nii BR CE ae eee ie 2
COLEOPTERA.
HYMENOPTERA.
SCYMNALLALS TSP Ee eee eee es Oe eke al
Cryptorhopalum ssp 9.) Cpa. SD a2 Bees ee uf
BHOULTC (SP aa ee Se eee 1
IGEDLOSTYUUS (Sp ee ee eee ee ee 3 AMPHIBIA.
Metachroma, Spas | Bletherodactytus spa :

SYCAMORE WARELER. Dendroica dominica dominica (Linneus).
REINITA, BIJIRITA DOMINICA.

Sundevall (1869, p. 596) notes one specimen of the sycamore warbler received
from Hjalmarson, while Gundlach (1878, p. 184) found it a common winter
visitant from September to March. I did not meet with it.

MYRTLE WARBLER. Dendroica coronata (Linneus).
REINITA, BIJIRITA CORONADA.

The myrtle warbler is a tolerably common winter visitant. The first was seen
January 5 in the plaza at Caguas, and from then on it was noted occasionally
in the forests and more open growth. In February, about Mameyes, there seemed
to be some migratory movement among these birds. The last one was seen in
the town of Isabel IT, on Vieques Island, April 1. -

Only four stomachs of this bird were secured in Porto Rico, so that the food
can be merely indicated. Caterpillars completely fill one stomach and form one-
fourth of the contents of another. The remains of small Homoptera are promi-
nent in two stomachs. One bird had eaten a large number of Diptera, and
small particles of beetles occur twice. Spider remains form three-fourths of
the contents of one stomach and are found in small quantities in another. This
is the only element in the food that counts against the bird, the majority of the
insects taken being harmful species. From the meager data available this
warbler while in Porto Rico seems to conform in food habits with the prairie
warbler and others of the same genus.

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. Dendroica cerulescens cerulescens (Gmelin).
REINITA, BIJIRITA APLOMADA.

Gundlach (1878, p. 179) records the black-throated blue warbler for the island
on the strength of a drawing seen in the album of Bello and on a record by Don
Tomas Blanco. Stahl (18838, p. 1389) had a specimen in his collection from Porto
Rico. I found it a rare winter visitant, noting the first at Rio Piedras December
22 and the last on Vieques Island March 27, when several were observed with
other migratory warblers. On El Yunque, in March, they were fairly common
in the dense forests. ‘They scold vigorously at intruders, and their demonstra-
tions attract all the other birds in the forest. Near Rio Piedras they were eat-
ing berries of the sapalo (Palicourea riparia).

Eight stomachs of this bird were collected and in these animal matter forms
75.5 per cent and vegetable 24.5 per cent of the contents. The yegetable food
was found in the three stomachs taken in December and January and consisted
of seeds of the camacey (Miconia prasina). Of the animal food 19.46 per cent
is composed of lantern flies (Fulgoride), which seem to be favorites with all
warblers. Remains of other bugs come to 6.87 per cent, while weevils of various
sorts make the large sum of 14.25 per cent. Among them were found a coffee

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 105

leaf-weevil (Lachnopus sp.), a shot-hole stalk-borer (Xyleborus sp.), and a
eurculio (Huscepes porcellus). Engraver beetles (Platypus sp.) were found in
three stomachs. Longicorn beetles (2.17 per cent) were eaten three times. Mis-
cellaneous beetle remains figure as 2.88 per cent. Though fragments of flies
were found in two stomachs only, they comprise 10.09 per cent of the total.
Moth remains were identified once and caterpillars twice, and together they
amount to 6.7 per cent. In one stomach was an ant and in another small bits of
a hymenopteran, which come to 0.96 per cent. Spiders were eaten three times
and make up 12.62 per cent of the food.

The black-throated blue warbler shares with others of its family a marked
taste for lantern flies and other small Homoptera, all harmful insects. One-
eighth of the food, as shown in these few stomachs, is composed of spiders, but
a larger portion is made up of injurious weevils, caterpillars, beetles, and flies.
Thus, though a migrant species, this warbler has considerable economic impor-
tance. Because of its retiring habits it is little known, but may be discovered
by those interested in birds who search for it.

CAPE MAY WARBLER. Dendroica tigrina (Gmelin).
REINITA, BIJIRITA DE COSTA.

The Cape May warbler is recorded as a winter visitant from fall until May by
Gundlach (1878, p. 178), while Sundevall (1869, p. 596) received from his col-
lector many specimens taken in winter. At present it appears to be rarer, as
Bowdish (1902-8, p. 18) saw but one at Mayagiiez, October 30, 1901. I sawa
single bird on Vieques Island April 4.

MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Dendroica magnolia (Gmelin).
RBINITA, BIJIRITA MANCHADA.

The magnolia warbler is a rare migrant and winter visitant. The only cer-
tain record is that of Bowdish (1902-3, p. 18), who found it at San Juan Sep-
tember 26, 1899, and Mayagiiez December 26, 1900. Gundlach knew the bird

merely from a drawing in the album of Bello.

PORTO RICAN YELLOW WARBLER. Dendroica petechia bartholemica Sundevall.
CANARIO DEL MANGLAR, 'REINITA,

The Porto Rican form of the yellow warbler, a common resident, has ‘a pecu-
liar distribution, being confined entirely to the coastal plain and coming inland
along the courses of the rivers to the base of the foothills. It never goes far-
ther, except around Quebradillas, where the birds were distributed over the high
flats 300 or 400 feet above the sea. In December and January, in the region
about San Juan, these birds were confined mainly to the mangroves and the
narrow strips of bushes immediately back of the beaches, but by the first of
February they began to appear inland more frequently and were common about
Rio Piedras in shade trees near houses. Whether its distribution is similar
in other portions of the island can only be determined by further observation.
At Bayamon they were found in scanty growths of grass and weeds on the
gravel bars in the Bayamon River. At the Laguna de Guanica there were no
bushes or mangroves, so that the birds frequented reeds and clumps of marsh
grass. In all the coast towns a pair or two nest in the plazas, if there are
Suitable trees. They are very quick and active. The song of these birds, like
that of Dendroica estiva, is loud and cheery, and the eall note a sharp chip.
From February to June, which corresponds to the breeding season, the males
sing the whole day long. July 8 at Manati a young bird just from the nest was
taken, and after this date they were common. The adults apparently remain
paired throughout the year, as even the last of August at Cabo Rojo, when
they were molting badly, male and female were invariably found together.

106 BULLETIN 326, U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Food.—The 63 stomachs collected show nothing but animal matter (100 per
cent). These represent the food from January to August, inclusive, in Porto
Rico, Vieques, and Culebra Islands.

This species may be listed among the bird enemies of the mole cricket
(Scapteriscus didactylus), as an adult male collected at the Laguna de Guanica
on May 26 contained in its stomach a mandible and other remains of a changa.
Other orthopteran remains (7.21 per cent) were present in 14 stomachs. Lan-
tern flies (Fulgoridz), present in this species again in large numbers (17.6 per
cent), were detected in 28 stomachs. Other Homoptera (7.24 per cent) were
largely cicadas (Proarno hilaris). Other bugs, partly predacious, though two
stinkbugs and a few bug eggs are included, amount to 3.03 per cent. Longicorn
beetles (2.7 per cent) were present in 5 stomachs, while small leaf-beetles (1.88
per cent) were taken 12 times. Two species of flea beetles (Systena basalis
and Chetocnema sp.) were each taken by two birds. Small beetles of this
group are found to be injurious almost invariably to some of the vegetables
grown in fields and gardéns. Click beetles -(4.96 per cent) were great favorites
in the mangrove Swamps, and among the weevils (1.21 per cent) may be men-
tioned a shot-hole stalk-borer (Xyleborus sp.). Fireflies come to 1.99 per cent
and miscellaneous Coleoptera to 1.88 per cent.

Diptera (8.16 per cent) were present in 16 stomachs, in one ease a flesh fly
(Compsomyia macellaria) that deposits its eggs in sores or injuries in the flesh
of living animals, or even in the nostrils of man. The larvez, known as screw
worms, are much dreaded, especially in tropical countries, as in many cases
their attack is known to be fatal. That this bird is active in the pursuit of
insects is attested by the fact that moths were eaten by 18 birds, and these with
eaterpillars taken by 9 birds amount to 11.95 per cent. Ants make up 0.58 per
cent and other Hymenoptera 8.72 per cent. These last were contained in 26
stomachs and were largely small insects of parasitic habits. A species of
Kapala, which infests ants, was taken once and indeterminate chalcids were
noted three times. A peculiar sawfly, with two-branched antenne, was found
in one stomach. Spiders (18.07 per cent) were eaten constantly and appear
in 81 stomachs. Two dragon flies and two earwigs with a small portion of mis-
cellaneous matter form the remainder (2.57 per cent).

In the foregoing outline of the food of this bird it will be seen that approxi-
mately 28 per cent of the bulk is made up of insects of a more or less beneficial
nature, as spiders, parasitic Hymenoptera, dragon flies, and some bugs. Against
these, however, stand the 70 per cent and more of other insects consumed, prac-
tically all of harmful species. Among these are some great pests, the lantern
flies, nearly all of the beetles, Lepidoptera, and others. Thus the yellow
warbler is one of man’s friends.

The following insects were identified in these stomachs:

ORTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Scapteriscus didactylus _.-- 2 - = 1 Cry peOCeDn als Spe = = ae eee 8
MEY OCKTOUWS (SD ae ee ee 1
HEMIPTERA, Sustena’ ) basalisak oi eae eee ee 2
Ormenis SIG a ee SS 11 | .Ohetoenema: spake ee ee 2
Proarno hilaris____-__-__--__--_---_- 3.| Mordellistena.. spose fi
COnnOCuni. AYICUOTUS (SD == Seas ee See eee 1
Scymnus roseicolligs _____.___-_____— 1 DEE
Cryptorhopalum sp-—-----------~-_- 1 | Compsomyia macellaria____--------- 1
Monocrepidits {spa ae ee aes 8 ;
Photinus vittatus__._.______-__---~--- 3 HYMENOPTERA.
I VOCHEOS: HUAN CWS a se 2

Leptostytus! spin Seo | RnR cee ae 2° Kapala "spose 2 s 2 See eee if

= Pee

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 107

NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. Compsothlypis americana usnew Brewster.
REINITA, PECHO DH ORO. :

The parula warbler was the most common of the migrant warblers in Porto
Kiico. It is found everywhere in forest growth, and occurs frequently in mango
trees in pastures. In the forest it is the noisiest of the birds that gather to
scold an intruder, and is always active, working quickly through the limbs or
eatching insects on the wing. Bowdish (1902-8, p. 18) records the first fall
birds October 25, 1901, and November 5, 1900, and in 1912 the last were observed
near Salinas April 80. One was observed March 8 at 3,000 feet elevation on
El Yunque. Migratory movement was apparent among them by February 14,
and after this the birds were very restless, especially during early morning,
and there was a tendency to work from east to west. In March and April
there were distinct waves of migration.

Food.—In studying the food of the parula warbler 61 stomachs from Porto
Rico were examined, representing the months from December to May, inclusive,
and all parts of the region under discussion. Animal matter amounts to 97.7
and vegetable to 2.3 per cent. The vegetable matter consisted of seeds of small
berries of the camacey (Miconia prasina) and others and was found in five
stomachs collected in December, January, and February.

The animal food is of much more importance and includes a large number
of insect pests. Lantern flies (Fulgoride) (19.09 per cent) were identified in
29 stomachs. These with other homopteran remains (6.85 per cent), partly of
the same family and partly from closely allied groups, all of which are harmful,
show that a little more than one-fourth of the entire food is composed of these
pests. Other bugs (3.69 per cent) comprise small numbers of leaf bugs, species
of the chinch bug family, stinkbugs, and a few predacious assassin bugs.
The birds are fond of beetles, and this order supplies 22.53 per cent of the food,
nearly all being injurious species. Ladybird beetles (1.86 per cent) were pres-
ent in 14 stomachs. lLongicorn beetles (1.68 per cent) were taken 11 times, and
leaf beetles of several species (7.95 per cent) were eaten by 30 of these birds.

-The major portion belong to the abundant genus Cryptocephalus, and several

species are represented. Darkling beetles figure as 1.01 per cent and skin beetles
0.45 per cent. Scarred-snout weevils were eaten by eight birds, and among these
the coffee leaf-weevil (2.02 per cent) was taken three times at least. Other
weevils (2.57 per cent) include two shot-hole stalk-borers, several curculios, and
others. Miscellaneous beetle remains make up 5.49 per cent.

Ants (0.17 per cent) were eaten five times, while other Hymenoptera, all
small species, come to 3.57 per cent. Flies were captured by five birds and
amount to 1.19 per cent. In 18 stomachs were caterpillars, sometimes mere
fragments of skin, and in four others occurred moths. These together com-
prise 10.44 per cent of the total food. Fragments of spiders (29.53 per cent)
were identified in 29 stomachs. A small portion of miscellaneous animal mat-
ter amounts to 0.26 per cent.

From the tabulated data as presented above the beneficial insects, counting
the large number of spiders, amount to practically 85 per cent, and harmful
species form the rest of the bulk exclusive of the small percentage of vegetable
matter. The bird is thus seen to be a beneficial species. In winter it is the most
abundant of the warbler family on the island and frequents localities where it
ean do much good; so that while not resident, it is one of the most valuable
of the regular migrants.

108 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

A list of identified material taken from these stomachs follows:

HEMIPTHERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Grae: 8) eee Z Mygochroas spo eS eee 1
Tettigonia sp_---------~----------- 1 | Ceratoma denticornis_______________ 1
Secon Spa ee 3 | Chetocnema Sp kilo Saftey. Se eRe, ae 4
Zabrotes SP. 2 4 ee a.
COLEOPTERA. Helps Spo he ae ee 1
Olibrus sp------------------------- G'| Lachaopus ‘sp. 2 US ee eee 3
Scymnus roseicollis_________-_____-- 2 | Euscepes porcellus _________________ 1
NCym nites Sp 8 Peeudomus spit “tote See 1
Hyperaspis apicalis_________________ 2 | -Platugas ‘sp. =) «eee 2
LTR SO oa a eS 1 Xgicborus Sp oo = Sa eee 2
Cryptorhopatum sp_—-—— = ra)
PAO) Bee 3 Oe ee 3 HYMENOPTERA.
PROMAUS ONS Se 1
Piss (spo eee ee ee {1 | Wasmannia auropunciata __________~ 1
Cepiosiylus Sp2se 2 ss ee eee sas (
Cryptocephalus sp_-__-__-— mah RTI os 20 ARACHNIDA.
Cryptocephalus pusio=——-— =. = — ~~ 9 | Tetragnathasp=. 22-2 Ss ee eee 1
Chiamys SP. 22355. es Se 2:1 Argurodes sp =: =.=. ee 1

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. JIMniotilta varia (Linnzus).
REINITA, GUSANERO, TREPADORA.

The black and white warbler is a winter visitant to Porto Rico, Vieques, and
Culebra Islands. The species was common the middle of December, though
apparently migration was still going on, and the last bird for the spring was
noted at Salinas April 30. This species frequents all forest growth and shade
trees about houses, creeping up and down tree trunks and working through the
limbs after insects.

Food.—In 11 stomachs which were critically examined animal matter amounts
to 100 per cent. The months from December to April, with the exception of
February. are represented in this small series. Earwigs were eaten by five
birds and come to 8.5 per cent. Orthoptera are represented in four cases and
make up 27.06 per cent. Walking sticks were taken twice and a grasshopper
once. Lantern flies, found in three birds, amount to 8 per cent, and other bug
remains to 0.75 per cent. Beetles form the largest portion of the food and are
found in larger or smaller quantities in all the stomachs examined. Longicorn
beeties come to 5.61 per cent, leaf beetles to 1.06 per cent. and darkling beetles
to 1.87 per cent. Scarred-snout weevils were eaten by three birds and amount
to 8.17 per cent, while other weevil remains were encountered in eight stomachs
and total 19.58 per cent. Engraver beetles (Platypus sp.) were taken by this
species. as well as by others previously mentioned. Other beetle remains come
to 4.92 per cent. Lepidoptera (5.63 per cent) are represented by two moths, a
caterpillar, and a pupa. Hymenoptera were taken in small numbers by two
birds, but only comprise 0.56 per cent of the total. Spiders form 8.79 per cent.

The black and white warbler is thus a useful species. The large number of
weevils destroyed by the few examined is noteworthy, as are the percentages
denoting the quantities of Orthoptera, lantern flies, and miscellaneous beetles
eaten.

The following were identified in these stomachs:

HEMIPTERA, COLEOPTERA—continued.
Ormcnis ssp 2 ee ee ee 1 | Leme sp... eee ee eee 1
Cryptocephatus . Sp eee 1
COLEOPTERA, Metachromsa Sp oS eee 1
| Plaiydema virens 22s ee 1
Endeitoma granulata___._..-____-__- a] Helens sp eee eee 1
Aulonium bidentatum____.--------~--~ i | Huscepes porcetas See 3
Lepiosigins - Ep a) Platyous 8) ee st ey ae

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 109

PORTO RICAN BANANAQUIT, PORTO RICAN HONEY CREEPER. Cereba por-
toricensis (Bryant).
REINITA, REINA, GUSANERO.

The honey creeper was a common resident in all the localities visited. In
Porto Rico it is without question the most abundant bird, being found every- -
where in the mangroves lining lagoons and bays, along maya hedges, through the
cane fields, in mango trees in the pastures, in coffee plantations, thickets, and
small forests, seemingly being able to adapt itself to all conditions. It is the
only bird commen in the dense, humid forests clothing the higher slopes of El
Yunque, and the species is equally common on the dry south coast, where rains
are infrequent. Honey creepers are very quick and active, and when resting
for an instant flit the wings rapidly with a kingletlike motion. In the maya
hedges they work quickly along, going out frequently into the cane fields. It is
one of the few birds common in coffee plantations, far outnumbering all the
other species found there. ‘These creepers are very tame and trusting, coming
about houses, searching the eaves for spiders, and even entering open doors and
windows. In the little cafetins in the barrios it is a common practice to place
sirup on the counter for them, and a pair will visit this supply daily.

The song of this bird is incessant and is an insectlike trill that may be likened
to the syllables zee-e-e-e swees se tee, the first part given slowly in a thin, high
tone and the last more rapidly. In the dark forests of Hl Yunque this was the
only song heard. Nothing appears to daunt them. Near Adjuntas, after a
cloudburst, where the torrents of rain were accompanied by violent, shifting
winds, the honey creepers were singing cheerfully the instant the heaviest part
‘of the downpour was over. The young begin singing as soon as they are fully
feathered and frequently are breeding before they have lost the juvenal
plumage, when they can not be more than 6 or 7 months old.

The nesting season extends without break throughout the year, though nests
are most abundant from February to June. Several broods are raised; how
many can be told only by extended observations of one pair. The nests are
common and many are built in exposed localities. They are globular affairs,
placed at the tips of limbs in a semipendant fashion, from 5 to 30 feet from the
ground, and built of weeds, leaves, and grasses, lined with finer material. The
opening is always underneath. Both sexes assist in building, bringing straws
and other material and fixing them in place, at first forming merely a rounded
mass. Although the male is allowed to assist, he brings material only when the
female is absent, as, should she catch him in the nest, he is immediately
driven out.

The nests, when empty, are used as sleeping quarters, and these birds sleep
late, not coming out in the morning until half an hour after other birds have
become active. The usual number of young is two or three. The nests of this
species should be protected rigidly, as hundreds of eggs are now destroyed
wantonly by boys.

All the flowering plants are searched by honey creepers in their quest for
food. The molinillo (Leonotis sp.) was perhaps visited most frequently, the
birds clinging to the rounded flower heads and probing each one in turn. The
munheco (Cordia collococca) and bucare (Hrythrina sp.) also, when in blossom,
proved a great attraction. The flowers of the banana contain much nectar, and
these are visited often. The birds are said occasionally to pierce ripe bananas,
but as the bunches are usually cut while green, the damage is negligible. One
taken near Cayey January 17, 1912, had the throat filled with pulp of red rasp-
berries (Rubus rosifolius), and it was not unusual to find clear nectar in the
esophagus. Near Rio Piedras one visited a ripe guanabano (Anona muricata)
that had been torn open by a spindalis, and ate for nearly five minutes, hang-

110 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. .

ing head down from a twig above and pulling and nibbling at the inside of the
fruit. Other undamaged fruit in the same tree was not touched even after the
one that was already open was removed. There is some complaint among fruit
_ growers that this species pricks and destroys oranges but though much time was
spent in the groves nothing of this kind was seen, the nearest approach to it
being when fully ripe fruit had been opened by other agents, then the honey
creepers visited it for the juice. Those seen in citrus groves were invariably
feeding on insects.

Food.—Because of the complaints made by many people against these birds
much time was devoted to watching them, and a considerable number were col-
lected. One hundred and forty-nine stomachs were examined, and in these
animal matter amounted to 97.56 per cent and vegetable to 2.44 per cent. These
birds were collected on Porto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, in the months from
December to August, inclusive. The vegetable matter consisted of seeds in six
stomachs (in one case of Chenopodium sp.) and of vegetable fiber in three others, _
so that in no case did it have any particular significance. The stomach itself
is very small in proportion to the size of the bird, appearing merely as a knot
at the juncture of the esophagus and intestine. The birds undoubtedly feed
to a great extent upon nectar and other sweets, but just how large a portion of
their nutriment is secured from this source can not be determined. However,
each stomach, small as it was, was usually filled with animal matter, and from
it can be determined the economic status of the species. Lantern flies (Ful-
gorids) appeared in 83 instances and amount to 14.52 per cent. In two cases
they form the entire bulk of the stomach contents, and large percentages occur
in several. Only one other bug was identified in this series of stomachs. Leaf
beetles, among which were several flea beetles, amount to 2.11 per cent, and
longicorn beetles to 0.385 per cent. Ladybird beetles were found in 10 stomachs
and constitute 1.87 per cent. They were the only beneficial beetles eaten.
Weevils are well represented, coffee leaf-weevils, found 10 times, coming to 1.79
per cent. Curculios and billbugs comprise 0.8 per cent, engraver beetles 1.55 per
cent, and a few miscellaneous weevils 0.47 per cent. Beetle remains other than
those mentioned above figure as 2.89 per cent.

In no less than 96 stomachs were bits of caterpillars, while one other contained
a pupa and a moth. These form 37.56 per cent, the largest item in the food of
_the bird. Nearly all the caterpillars were small and very young. They form
much of the food through all of the months represented, the maximum, 46.42
per cent, being contained in a collection of 36 stomachs secured in March. Re-
mains of flies were encountered in 13 stomachs and come to 1.26 per cent, and
ants in 17 birds amount to 1.28 per cent. Bits of other Hymentoptera (4.65 per
cent) were found in 16 stomachs. They come mainly from the small parasitie
groups, though a few from other families are represented. Spiders, nearly all
young ones, and therefore indeterminate as to genus and species, were eaten by
82 of these birds and a pseudoscorpion by one. These comprise 25.89 per cent of
the bulk. Miscellaneous matter (0.58 per cent) includes a snail and some insect
eges. An interesting result in these examinations was the finding in three -
stomachs of Thysanoptera, which were in two instances definitely identified
(Ommatothrips n. sp.). These are insects of great economic importance in
many cases, and birds eating them perform good service. They are so small and
so fragile that they would be rapidly digested and eliminated from a stomach.

One-third of the food of the honey creeper, as shown in the discussion above,
is composed of beneficial insects, more than 25 per cent being spiders, some of
which may be of doubtful value. Passing over the 2.44 per cent of vegetable
matter, the remainder is composed entirely of harmful species. Lantern flies
injurious to nearly all Kinds of vegetation, several kinds of weevils, and large

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. etch:

numbers of caterpillars are eaten greedily, while ants, flies, and thrips are
taken in Jess number. The list includes many serious pests, against the attacks
of which the agriculturist must guard, and in destroying them the bird is per-
forming excellent service. Reports of the destructiveness of the honey creeper
to oranges seem unsubstantiated, but if individuals form this habit they should
be destroyed. Otherwise the species should be protected and encouraged in all
localities. The following were identified in these stomachs:

THYSANOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Ommatothrips n. sp______---------- 2 | Physimerus sp--------------------- 2
Cry plocepinialus Spl === ae ae 1
HEMIPTERA, MYO CHT OWS |S Ps ae ee ae ee eet i
, LAOCKNOPUS: Spi se Ss 2a ee eee 10
Ormenis sp-----------------~------- 7 | Buscepes porcellus _--------------_- 1
TA ODO 7 GUS oe ek ee ee 2
at stage re COLO DIDS SSD = eee Ok Segre By 1
Scymnus roseicollis__.______________ 1 | Caulophilus latinasus ____-_-_-------- 1
Sepinnillesispee st ee ee 5 | Platypus sp-------------~--------- 3
He MEOSEULIULS® Spee sve erat tes ial yu 3 | Xyleborus sp ~-----~-----~--------- 2
TECTIUGNM ST) Sep MAU ARE Be SMART A Belo ji eeXULCOOTUSN NEY MNS == a ee 1

HOODED WEAVER FINCH. Spermestes cucullata (Swainson).
DIABLITO, CHUPADOR DH ARRUZ, GORRION.

The hooded weaver finch, an African species, has become naturalized in
Porto Rico, and is a common resident up to an altitude of 600 feet. Above
that it was noted only at Cayey (1,275 feet). and Adjuntas (1,550 feet). It
was evidently introduced many years ago, as Bryant (1866, p. 254) mentions
that several specimens were taken on the island in the sixties. This species is
usually found in small flocks of from 10 to 25 and frequents open banks of
streams, borders of fields, and grass-grown pastures where food is abundant.
Near Cabo Rojo they were very common, and flocks of several hundred were
encountered. On the ground these tiny birds feed close together, clustering on
the ripening heads of malojillo (Panicum sp.), busily eating. When flushed
they rise in a close flock with low churring notes, and fly only a short distance
to a tree, where the whole flock divides into twos and threes, the birds sidling
along the limbs until they are as close together as possible... Near Cabo Rojo
in August the young gathered in large flocks, and were evidently roosting at
night in dense mango trees.

In May they divide into pairs and breed. A nest found near Yabucoa May
10 was built in a small tree on a steep slope, where the structure was visible
from all sides. It was located about 6 feet from the ground, and was built of
grass stems 8 or 10 inches long and well thatched in, but with the ends pro-
jecting crisscross in every direction. 'The top was arched over, but the nest
had a very untidy appearance. It contained one young bird about 3 days old,
and three eggs on the point of hatching, The eggs were opaque white and in
shape were elongate elliptical.

Near Cabo Rojo the last of August these birds were preparing to raise a sec-
ond brood, as the first were old enough to care for themselves. At Comerio
they were feeding in seed-tobacco fields, where all the seed heads had not been
collected, but unless very abundant they would not do damage.

Food.—In January, February, May, July, and August, 33 stomachs of this little
weaver finch were collected, and with many of them the gullet was preserved
also, as it was usually distended with seeds. The only animal matter in these
was the elytron of a rove beetle. Large quantities of sand were found in all,
and in a few were bits of snail shell, unquestionably picked up as an aid to
digestion. Seeds of various grasses and a few of sedge constitute the entire

112 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

contents. These are nearly always shelled before swallowing and in the giz-
zard are soon ground up and digested. In eating these grass seeds the birds
can be accused of no damage, though formerly they were said to injure rice
when it was still soft. For their ordinary food, however, they prefer smaller
seeds than rice, and as rice is little cultivated now because of the ravages of
the changa this weaver finch seems to be a neutral species, though it destroys
numbers of crab grass seeds. At times it may feed on seeds desired for plant-
ing, and then should be discouraged. A list of seeds eaten follows:

Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis) — 5 | Panie srass Ceanicuin sp) | 2
Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens) _-_- 6 | Malojillo (Panicum fasciculatum)___. 17
Egyptian grass (Dactyloctenium egyp- Paspalum: (Paspalum ‘sp; 3

CCUM) See 8 a ee 3 | Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama)___._ 20
Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) _-__~ 6 | Fimbristylis (Fimbristylis sp.) ----- if

SCARLET-CHEEKED WEAVER FINCH. Amandava melpoda (Vieillot).
VETERANO, BENGALI, GORRION.

Another African species that has becn introduced and naturalized in Porto
Rico is the scarlet-cheeked weaver finch. Gundlach (1878, p. 206) found them
abundant in 1874, and is the first to mention them. They are now found in the
coastal regions from Mayagiiez to Yauco, which is practically the range given by
Gundlach 35 years ago, except that he recorded them north to Aflasco. They
were seen at Yauco May 16 to 28; Cabo Rojo, August 24 to 381; and at
Mayagiiez, June 6. The northern half of their range is very humid, while at
Yauco and below Cabo Rojo it is equally dry. These birds frequent marshy
growths and dense thorny thickets of rallo (Vachellia sp.), an acacia, and cane
fields. They are spirited little birds with quick, nervous movements and
when alarmed call continually. On the wing the long tail and short wings
give them a quick, tilting flight, and they seldom fly far. When feeding they
spread out somewhat, but when excited all bunch up, peering through the
limbs, and then move away, keeping well under cover. In the middle of the
day they feed on the ground, in patches of shade under bushes. In the cane
fields they flush with quick calls, fly a few yards, and then drop back out of
sight.

The ordinary call note is a low tsee tsee tsee and a low chattering call. Near
Cabo Rojo, August 80, one female was seen feeding nearly grown young,
regurgitating softened grass seeds from. her throat to give to them. Bowdish
(1902-3, p. 18) notes breeding birds taken May 23 and 30, presumably from
Mayagiiez.

Food.—In 19 stomachs of this odd exotic, collected at Yauco in May and
Cabo Rojo in August, I found vegetable food only, with small percentages of
sand as an aid in digestion. Grass seeds of several species furnished the bulk
of the food and were nearly always neatly shelled. A few amaranth seeds were
found, and these were swallowed entire, the smooth hard surface of the seed
not permitting them to be readily split open, though the three-sided seeds of a
sedge (Caree sp.) were neatly divested of their covering. Two immature birds
had swallowed large quantities of grass seeds without hulling them, and oc-
easionally adults ate small seeds in this condition.

These weaver finches destroy small numbers of seeds of noxious weeds,
though they prefer panic grass, but as they take no insects they are of littie
economic importance.

The following list shows the seeds fed upon:

Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis) — 5 1 Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama) ___- 5
Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) __--~ 5 | Sedge (Carer sp). ae eee 1
Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens) ____~ 3 | Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) —--------~ 5

Malojillo (Panicum fasciculatum) __~-- 6

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 113

BOBOLINK. Dolichony» oryzivorus (Linneus).
CHAMBERGO. /

The bobolink is a rare migrant. Pelzeln (1871, p. 199, footnote) says that a
specimen received from the Paris Museum is marked Porto Rico, and Gundlach *
says that it has been taken on Vieques Island, where previously recorded by
Cory (1892, p. 110).

YELLOW-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD. Agelaius santhomus (Sclater).
MARIQUITA, CAPITAN.

The yellow-shouldered blackbird is a common resident in Porto Rico. There
appear to be a few of these birds on Mona Island, as Bowdish (1902-3, p. 12)
recorded one, and Cory (1892a, p. 229) received two collected by W. W. Brown,
jr., in February and March, 1892. In Porto Rico the species is found mainly
below an altitude of 800 feet, and is most abundant in the coastal region, follow-
ing inland along the open valleys of the larger streams. Lares (1,200 feet) was
the highest point at which they were observed, none being seen in the high
central mountain range. In fall, winter, and spring this species moves over the
country in small flocks, returning at nightfall to some clump of trees or man-
groves to roost, so that it is common to see them flying back and forth morning
and evening. The flight at such times is direct, though undulating, and an occa-
sional flash of yellow shows on the wing. In the mangrove swamps a small
party frequently feeds in close array on the wet ground, or single individuals
clamber through the branches absorbed in their search for food. Often they are
seen climbing actively up and down the long fronds of the coconut palms, in
oriole fashion, or walking sedately among the cattle in pastures.

The common ¢eall note is a sharp chick that is indistinguishable from that of
the Porto Rican oriole, and a low chuck is often heard. About the nests they
have the sharp, staccato, scolding notes of the red-winged blackbird of the North,
given as they circle and wheel overhead. The males do not sing a great deal,
though odd, wheezy, or reedlike notes, resembling those of the yellow-headed
blackbird, are sometimes heard.

The breeding season is in May and June, sometimes as early as March, and
the young are usually out of the nest by the end of June. Theenests of this
species appear always to be built in coconut or royal palms, the birds nesting,
as a rule, in small colonies or sometimes in pairs. When the nest is in a royal
palm, the male spends most of his time on the tall projecting spike in the crown,
where he postures with drooping wings and spread tail, but sings very little.
When alarmed, the female flies up and clings to the side of the spike, just below
him, both scolding vigorously. All the nests observed were in the axils of the
long leaves. The birds feed near the nest, walking about on the ground, and
sometimes wading in shallow water. As soon as the young leave the nest, all
gather in small flocks, at first remaining near the nesting colony, but as they get
stronger on the wing going farther afield. At this season they avoid the intense
midday heat by frequenting coffee plantations, clumps of bamboo, and shaded
perches.

In mixed flocks with the Porto Rican grackle, this species feeds in newly
plowed fields and in cane fields while the growth is small, following the plow for
the grubs and insects exposed. In this way they do much good. Around
Manati large flocks of old and young frequent the citrus groves, feeding on the
ground and flying up to perch in close flocks in the trees, the dead limbs being
preferred. In spring, with the other blackbirds, they frequent the bucare trees
(Lrythrina sp.), probing the handsome blossoms for their nectar.

1 Ornithologia Cubana, 1893, p. 118.
9767°—Bull. 8326—16 8

114 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Food.—From January to July, inclusive, 55 stomachs of this bird were col-
lected and later examined in the laboratory. In the primary allotment animal ©
food amounted to 90.1 per cent and vegetable to 9.9 per cent for the period
under consideration. Weevils, other beetles, cutworms, and caterpillars com-
prise by far the greater bulk of the animal matter, while of the vegetable food
a little more than half is composed of corn. |

Animal food.—Feeding upon the ground, as other blackbirds do, and in the
trees, as its relatives the orioles do, a wide range of animal food is secured by
this bird. Orthopterous remains (1.95 per cent) in six birds are formed largely
of grasshopper eggs and the odthece of roaches, though remains of adults were
found. Harwigs (Forficulidz) (1.387 per cent) secured in searching oriolelike
through the branches of trees were eaten by five birds. Homopterous remains ©
(5.7 per cent) are composed of tree hoppers and lantern flies, with bits of a |
cicada. Other bug remains (38.86 per cent) are of predatory species in part at
least. Leaf beetles constitute only 1.69 per cent, though present in 18 instances. ~
Flea beetles and tortoise beetles were represented, though the larger number ~
were unknown species of the genus Cryptocephalus. The cane root-boring
weevil (Diaprepes spengleri) was eaten nine times and amounts to 1.72 per ©
cent. Other scarred-snout beetles to which family this pest belongs comprise .
10.15 per cent and were found in 16 of the gizzards. Among them were several ©
coffee leaf-weevils (Lachnopus sp.). Curculios total 2.13 per cent and other ~
weevil remains 1.92 per cent, so that weevils as a whole constitute nearly one-~
sixth of the entire food. Cerambycide (0.81 per cent) were taken in small
quantities, and miscellaneous Coleoptera figure as 16.79 per cent.

Caterpillars were found in 30 stomachs, lepidopterous pups in 3, and a moth ©
in 1, all forming 28.32 per cent. <A large part of those first enumerated were
cutworms, picked up in cultivated fields. The greatest quantities were eaten q
in January and February. The remains of Hymenoptera (1.03 per cent) include
a number of ants and a wasp, aS well aS some unidentified fragments. Diptera
(3.65 per cent) were taken sporadically, the largest number being secured in
January. Spiders eaten by 13 birds amount to 7.83 per cent, snails found in eight |
instances figure as 1.56 per cent, while miscellaneous animal matter forms 0.43
per cent. A list of identified species follows:

HEMIPTERA, COLEOPTERA—continued.
(PF OOFILO NALIN S = he L |eCryptocenhatus ‘spi Se eee is
PAQNCGLG SDE oe ee eee 14) Systene -basalis.2 ee eee 24
Coptocyela, signiféra.=22 sae 1
COLEOPTERA. Anthicus.. floralts_. 2 Se 1g
Piaprenes. Sspenglent. a eee 9
Monocrepidius bifoveatus____-__------ 1 |: Lachnopus<sp2 === = eee 6
PROUNRGS- GlahCus == <> Sie ee 3: Huscepes” poreeiius == <- = See 1a
POUT 28a es ee eee 1 | Metamasius hemipterus_____ Sees 1

Vegetable food.—More than one-half (5.73 per cent) of the vegetable food is
composed of corn taken entirely in May and June. For June it totals 36.87 per ©
cent and was present in 10 of the 15 stomachs examined for that month. In —
May only 2 birds in 18 had taken any. In June flocks of these birds were feed-
ing in ripening fields of corn near Lares. The adults were feeding their young —
out of the nest on the soft kernels taken from the ear. Though the birds were
not seen actually eating the grain, the terminal kernels of a small number of ©
ears in each field were missing, and bits of the grain were found in the bills and ©
throats of some of the birds shot. Two birds collected in a cornfield near
Ciales on July 17 had not touched the grain. .

Other vegetable food consisted of seeds of grass, a few unidentified seeds,
8.71 per cent in all, and a small quantity (0.385 per cent) ef vegetable rubbish.

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 115

Summary.—Roughly estimated, nine-tenths of the food of the mariquita is
levied from the animal kingdom and large numbers of harmful insects are de-
stroyed. Weevils especially are favorites, and comprise several serious pests
of sugar cane, coffee, and other crops. Cutworms, too, are much relished, and
a host of other forms, among which only spiders may be considered useful,
make up the remainder. Of the remaining one-tenth of vegetable matter a little
more than half is composed of corn taken from the ear when still in the milk.
For the entire year this is a small amount, but during June some damage is done
locally, and in such cases the blackbirds should be driven out by shooting or
other means. In some instances it was found that the birds, though flocking in
cornfields, did not touch the grain, so that before disturbing them there should
be evidence of sufficient damage to warrant it. Throughout the season as a
whole this blackbird is beneficial, and should be allowed a small toll of grain as
part payment fcr its usefulness. Care should be taken not to mistake the dep-
redations of rats in the cornfields for the work of the blackbirds. Rats are in
some cases very destructive to grain in localities frequented by the blackbirds.
The blackbird merely pecks open the end of the ear and pulls off the kernels,
while the rat gnaws off the husixs, dropping a pile of refuse to the ground below
and frequently destroying half the ear.

PORTO RICAN ORIOLE. Icterus portoricensis (Bryant).
CALANDRA, CALANDRIA.

The oriole is resident on the island of Porto Rico. It is common in the coconut
palms near the coast, and inland it frequents coffee plantations and second-
growth forests, where, swinging head down, it finds and destroys many cater-
pillars. It is rather wild at times and keeps well concealed, and again comes
into shade trees about the houses. This bird has the most beautiful song of all
the Porto Rican species—a clear whistle of several notes, pitched rather high.
It sings mainly in the morning and evening, and is one of the few birds heard
at daybreak. ‘The ordinary call note is an oriolelike chick or chuck, and the
birds also have a thin, high note like pe-ee, resembling the call note of the gold-
finch or siskin.

The breeding season extends from the first of May to the middle of July, and
after the middle of June young in first plumage are common. The adults begin
to molt then. This species breeds while in first-year plumage, and several pied
specimens were taken. The only nest located was in a grove of coconut palms
north of Manati, on July 8. It swung from the underside of one of the long
leaves, and was supported under the center of the rib by four radiating “ straps,”
firmly attached, leaving only a small space between it and the underside of the
midrib to serve as an entrance. It appeared to be woven strongly of fibrous
materials. -

The oriole is very fond of the sweet flower juices of plants and trees, the
bucare (Hrythrina sp.) being visited frequently when in blossom, while the
abundant nectar of the banana is a great attraction, several birds visiting a
single flower in rapid succession. Near Aibonito the birds were seen eating
the pulp and juice of overripe wild sweet oranges (chinas) and had opened half
a dozen on one tree. As the fruit in cultivated groves is picked long before it
reaches this stage no damage results.

Food.—From January to August, 71 stomachs were collected and on detailed
examination these show 99.84 per cent of animal matter. Two birds had
secured a littie vegetable rubbish and one had eaten the hard flinty seed of a
grass (Olyra latifolia), which in all amounts to only 0.16 per cent. Earwigs,
some of them of large size, were found in 40 stomachs, though often only the
curious nipperlike caudal forceps remained after the processes of digestion.

116 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

They amount to 24.86 per cent of the total, and as their habits in the Tropics
seem little known must be regarded as neutral species. Four of the birds se-
cured in April and May had eaten the mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus),
though in small quantity (0.21 per cent). Other Orthoptera (7.2 per cent)
were eaten 18 times and were composed in great part of other crickets, roaches,
numbers of roach egg cases, and a few grasshoppers and their eggs. Cicadas,
found in nine stomachs, form a considerable share of the bulk (7.56 per cent).
Other bug remains, a stinkbug, tree hoppers, and some other fragments, total
1.36 per cent.

Weevils form one-seventh of the entire food, and among them the scarred-
snout beetles are the best represented (12.89 per cent). The cane root-borer
(Diaprepes spengleri) was eaten 8 times, the coffee leaf-weevil 11, and mem-
bers of this family were identified in 80 stomachs. Curculios come to 0.6 per
cent and miscellaneous Rhyncophora to 1.72 per cent. A few leaf beetles were
eaten regularly (1.22 per cent) and darkling beetles were taken in small num-
bers (1.40 per cent). Miscellaneous matter (1.68 per cent) consisted of a
scarabeid, a firefly, four click beetles, and a few longicorns and buprestids.
Lepidoptera (4.3 per cent) were well represented by caterpillars taken by 16
birds, and a moth and a pupal case in one instance each. Hymenoptera com-
posed of ants, wasps, and wild bees comprise 2.44 per cent, and flies 0.22 per
cent. Forty birds had eaten spiders and one a scorpion, which come to 31.67
per cent. Miscellaneous matter, largely vertebrate, amounts to 1.06 per cent.
Small tree toads were secured three times and one little lizard was eaten. ~

With the exception of spiders, which form a little less than one-third of the
food, and a few vertebrates, the animals destroyed by the Porto Rican oriole
are in the main harmful species. In searching through the trees the bird
secures numerous scarred-snout beetles and other weevils, a group which con-
tains some of the most serious pests of the region. Grasshoppers, roaches,
crickets, and caterpillars are taken in numbers. The oriole is one of the bene-
ficial birds frequenting coffee plantations and, having abundant shelter and
building inaccessible nests, the bird will continue to hold its own.

The following were determined in the stomachs examined:

EUPLEXOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Phauler albipes= = = a eee Metachrome “spl== 2-225. =". wees 2
Metachroma Uturatum___=_ al
ORTHOPTERA. Coptocycla signiferq—22]_ = eaee f
; Platydema, sp2 2222 ee eee 4
ee okie Tienes ae Helops: spi 6 2 ha Se 1
ee Bes te Pe hr eae nee Diaprepes spengleri_________________ 3
RD IGI CS ASAE UGUS Se ESS ag GOChRODUS, SPS Sa a eae alae
ee HUSCEPES A DOTCCLLULS =e 3
c Metamasius hemipterus_____________ 1
Proarno MUGS == 2 == HYMENOPTERA.
LeECanium SDs 23 SSS Sek eee See
Solenopsis (emindtia==== eae 1

COLEOPTERA.

EURO PSIG DCS ee eee
IPROGNUSHOLOUCUSE Se 2s See ee
Oryptocepnalus Sp 22a = => = eee

'CROUPIAL. Icterus icterus (Linneus).
TRUPIAL.

VERTEBRATA.

Hleuthesodactylus “spi= = 3
A NOLS Spy So EE ECE ee ete 1

Gundlach (1878, p. 209) notes the troupial, an exotic species, as naturalized
near Quebradillas, and says that its food consists of various wild fruits and the

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 117

seeds of the royal palm. The bird is known to many of the Porto Ricans and
at one time must have been fairly common. Now, however, it is very rare if
not actually extinct. An oriole seen below Aibonito January 5, was thought to -
be this species, but identification was not certain. All the reports regarding
its occurrence come from the western end of the island. The species is com-
monly kept as a cage bird, and probably has been introduced in this manner.

PORTO RICAN BLACKBIRD. JHoloquiscalus brachypterus (Cassin).
MOZAMBIQUE, CHANGO. (PLATES VIII and IX.)

The Porto Rican blackbird is one of the characteristic birds of the island,
being found wherever there are cultivated fields. In the lowlands, below 500
feet altitude, it is the most common bird, and above that it occurs in small
numbers.

The birds are found ordinarily in small flocks of from 3 or 4 to 25, feeding on
the ground in the pastures or cultivated fields. The males strut about, holding
the head and tail high, calling squeakily, while the females are more preoccu-
pied searching busily for food. In flight the V-shape of the tail is much exag-
gerated, the birds seeming almost deformed. In rising this is rather a hin-
drance to them, and in flying up into a palm they sometimes go beyond the tree
and then come back, not being able to rise at a sharp angle. Their favorite
perches are the royal and coconut palms, where they spend much time, walking
up and down the broad leaf stems or sitting quietly in their shade. The ordi-
nary call note is a gracklelike chuck or a thin high fee tee tee, and the song may
be represented by the syllables K’see ah—h—h, rather a wheezy effort, given
with the wings spread and the tail deeply V-shaped.

The breeding season extends from the 1st of May until the 10th of July, the
birds usually nesting in colonies in royal or coconut palms, though at times an
isolated jobo tree (Spondias lutea) is chosen. The royal palm is, however, the
favorite location. The nests are constructed in the large seed clusters and at
the bases of the long leaves, often in close proximity. The birds were con-
tinually flying back and forth about the nests calling, singing, and posturing,
making a scene of the greatest animation. Nest construction is carried on by
the females, though the males always accompany them, strutting about on the
ground and driving other intruding males from the chosen nesting site. Incu-
bation, too, falls to the lot of the female, her spouse following her expeditions
for food, but when the young are hatched both sexes care for them. After the
middle of June the young commonly follow their parents, teasing for food, and
when unnoticed protest vigorously. In August these family parties join in
small flocks, remaining together until the next year. The flocks feed in the cul-
tivated fields, pastures, or sometimes on the gravel bars of streams, where
occasionally they wade in the shallow water, turning over the leaves for aquatic
insects or, Standing in water up to their bodies, splash and flutter in bathing.

This species is widely recognized as the most beneficial on the island, and for-
tunately it is also one of the most common. While the cane and tobacco fields
are being prepared for planting, flocks of the birds follow the plow, feeding on
the insects exposed in the overturned furrows. Even when the cane is well
grown they follow the cultivator through the rows. In the breeding season it
is common to see three or four fly from the low-lying fields inland into the foot-
hills with a white grub shining in each bill. On the ground they walk rapidly
along, peering from side to side and following the working peons closely.

After the breeding season old and young were observed feeding also on wild
fruits, among which were the following: Icaco (Chrysobalanus sp.), sapalo
(Palicourea riparia), and moral (Cordia nitida). In spring the adults were

118 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

seen taking the nectar from the bucare (Zrythrina sp.) and the muiieco (Cordia
collococca). Frequently birds had the throat full of this honey and the feathers
of the head yellow with pollen. The manzanillo (Hippomane manchinella) also
was eaten to some extent.

f'ood.—The blackbird or chango is one of the best-known birds of Porto Rico,
and its usefulness is almost universally recognized. Some of the current ideas
of its food, based on observation alone, are mistaken, but so much good is done
in other ways that the chango is entitled to a high place in the class of beneficial
species. From December to August, 98 of these birds were collected in all parts
of Porto Rico and in Vieques, and the contents of their stomachs later were
scrutinized carefully. Animal food formed 93.88 per cent and vegetable 6.62 per
cent. Blackbirds everywhere are recognized as almost omnivorous, and this
species is no exception to the rule, all living creatures of small size being eaten.

Animal food.—Though commonly considered one of the greatest enemies of
the mole cricket (Scapteriscus didactylus), remains of this insect were found in
only eight of the birds (0.21 per cent), most of them being eaten in July. The
changas taken are nearly all nymphs. Remains of other Orthoptera (19.34 per
cent) were found in 42 stomachs and comprise adults of grasshoppers, locusts,
and crickets, with a few eggs of roaches, walking sticks, and others. Insects
of this class are common in the pastures frequented by the blackbird and form
an abundant food supply. Bugs of the homopterous group (2.02 per cent) are
composed in great part of cicadas (Proarno hilaris), with a few lantern flies.
Stinkbugs (3.32 per cent) were eaten 17 times, and miscellaneous bug remains
come to 1.11 per cent. Adult May beetles (Lachnosterna sp.) were found in
2 instances and larval scarabeids—white grubs—in 11, all amounting to 1.42
per cent. In 28 birds collected in May, largely in cane fields under cultivation,
these form 9.47 per cent, and it is under such conditions that insects of this
group are exposed to attack. Large numbers of the adult cane root-boring weevil
were destroyed, this insect being identified in 39 stomachs. For the entire period
this weevil amounts to 9.69 per cent, while for the months of April and May
the bulk of it came to 26.67 per cent and 82.13 per cent, respectively. Remains
of 11 were taken from one gizzard and from 8 to 6 were not unusual. The coffee
leaf-weevil (Lachnopus sp.) was taken by 23 birds and amounts to 1.61 per cent.
And though only 13 birds had eaten the slender-beaked weevil stalk-borer (Meta-
masius hemipterus), it constitutes 5.44 per cent. This weevil was secured in
March and in the months from-May to August, inclusive. Mixed remains of
curculios and other weevils total 1.23 per cent and other beetle remains 1.06 per
cent.

Lepidopterous remains (11.15 per cent) figure largely in the food and occur in
all the months except April. Thirty-nine birds ate caterpillars and six had cap-
tured moths. One stomach contained 16 cutworms as well as 8 adult cane root-
boring weevils. Diptera (0.16 per cent) were present in small numbers and
Hymenoptera (1.11 per cent) occurred frequently. This group, with only two
exceptions, was represented by wasps and considerable numbers of ants, among
which fire ants (Solenopsis geminata) occurred three times. Spiders were found
in 30 gizzards and mites in 1. Two birds had eaten cattle ticks (Margaropus
annulatus). One of these, taken in a brush-filled pasture on Vieques Island on
March 21, contained 35 ticks, and the other from Cabo Rojo, killed on August
381, had eaten 12 ticks, all greatly distended with blood, so that in this case they
were undoubtedly picked from some animal. Snails (Suwbulina sp. and Planorbis
sp.) were eaten regularly and comprise 6.02 per cent of the total. Amphibian
remains (5.74 per cent) were encountered in 12 stomachs and were composed of
both the common frog and little tree toad. Lizards (16.04 per cent) were found

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 119

in 34 stomachs. The ameiva was found twice, the other remains being those of
small anolis. Miscellaneous animal matter comes to 1 per cent.
A list of identified animal matter follows:

ORTHOPTERA. LEPIDOPTERA.
Neoconocephalus macropterus_------- 1 | Alabama GrOUlaGea see WN A ak 2
Anurogryllus muticus______--------- 4
Scapteriscus didactylus _-_-----~---- 8 HYMENOPTERA.

wee ee Pheldoton spt tes a ener ge e 1
Ormenis sp------------------------ 1 | Pheidole fallae var. antillensis______ 1
Proarno hilaris ___---_------------- 8 | Solenopsis geminata_-______--------- 3
_Emesa sp -~-------~----------------- 2 | strumigenys rogeri-___-__________---_ f
Margarodes formicarum.—____________— 1
Lecanium sp ---------------------- “ ARACHNIDA.

COLEOPTERA. Margaropus annulatus—-—-_.----—__-_ 2
mHyperaspis apicalis _______________— 1
Monocrepidius bifoveatus _______-_-- 1 MOLEUSCS:

Whrysobvothris: sp_--_-______________ oS Sir OTE NGM MSD res oa SA ee set 16
miachnosterna Sp —---—-____=—_______ A PlanOEbiGi BD oe ts ae es 9
SUDLOCCDILQULS a SDie oe eee 1

meystena vasalig _-_____--__________- 2 VERTEBRATA.

AT CHUNODUSHAS Dieser see eee EE PS 23

Diaprepes spenglerti____________-~_-- B94 we CNLOGAChYUS Sea eee ees ee 2
BUUESCODCSs DONCCUUUS a= ae Se 4 \ feptodactylus albilabris ——-----—____ 5
Se OUCOCeCr MUS USP 2 ae ee ee LP LCE CROQUCLULULS SD ae ee ee 3
Chalcodermus pupillatus ______----_- 1) Alcina Neca ais sa ee ees cr 2
PMU SaAC ONO ILEUS = etme ene ee LETRA OL USS DO pee cae ees ee we ae 26
Meiamasius hemipterus _------------ 13

Vegetable food.—Of the 6.62 per cent vegetable matter, 2.19 per cent is com-
posed of corn. This was eaten by 13 of the 98 birds examined and was secured
mainly in July, when it amounts to 11.82 per cent. The grain taken was con-
; sumed in December, April, and July. Seeds (largely grass seeds) amount to
2.96 per cent and vegetable rubbish comes to 1.45 per cent.

A list of identified species is appended:

Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis) — EW TION (CAUCUS RSs) ee ee ee 2
Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) _--- 1 | Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) ------- 1
Dichromena (Dichromena ciliata) _-_~ 1 | Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) ——---~-~ ik
onnmi(Zed Mays) a a Se eA (OOD STC SD 3) rene ee 1
Nut tush (Scleria sp.) -.--.--._--.__ i) Concombre. (Cucumis: sp>)=22 22 === 1

Summary.—Though the blackbird eats fewer mole crickets than is popularly
believed, it consumes such large numbers of weevils, directly injurious to cane
and other crops, that it should be classed in the foremost rank of beneficial
Species. Nearly one-fifth of its food is composed of Orthoptera, and many inju-
rious bugs are destroyed. May beetles and white grubs are eaten voraciously
‘and cutworms are favorites. Two of the birds examined had eaten cattle ticks
and the birds were observed searching the cattle for them. Considerable num-
bers of lizards and amphibians are eaten, and these with the corn consumed
form the injurious elements in the food. Most of the grain taken was secured
in July, and at least one-third of it was waste grain. However, should the

blackbirds gather in large flocks to feed on grain it may be necessary to destroy
some of them in order to drive others out.. It should be ascertained first that
they are doing damage, for they frequent cornfields, as they do the cane, for
the shade offered from the heat of the sun. No instance of extensive damage
to grain came to my notice, depredations being confined to a few ears, a toll

120 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

justified by the services of the birds in destroying harmful pests which would
- do much more injury if unchecked. In general the blackbird is a beneficial
bird and the protection accorded it is well placed.

GLOSSY COWBIRD. Molothrus atronitens Cabanis.
TORDO.

According to Newton (1860, p. 808), a glossy cowbird (given as WM. sericeus)
was taken on Vieques Island by Mr. Riise. It can be regarded only as an acci-
dental visitant. ;

PORTO RICAN TANAGER. VNesospingus speculiferus Lawrence. (PLATE X.)
LLOREN, VERDOSO, VERDEDON DE ESPECULO.

The verdoso was found on the eastern and northern slopes of El Yunque,
ranging from the thickets and coffee plantations at an altitude of 700 feet to
the dense, dimly lighted forests at the summit of the mountain; and was also
common about Maricao, this being the first record for the western end of the
island. Until the present time but little has been known of this handsome bird.
Although the type is marked as taken by Gundlach, he says (1878, p. 190) that
it must have been given him by Blanco in 1868, as he had no recollection of it.
Dr. C. W. Richmond collected eight specimens on El Yunque in 1900, but the
bird was apparently unknown to other collectors. In the present investigations
a fine series of skins was taken and data on habits gathered.

Though in these regions these tanagers were fairly common, they were not
easy to secure. In passing along the trails one or two would be heard ealling
at a distance, or one would appear suddenly in the bushes near by, scolding
vigorously, but when silent they were very hard to find. The ordinary call note
is a sharp chewp chewp, repeated vigorously, while the bird is conceaied in a
growth of vines or in dense brush. Another note heard less often is a robin-
like tsweep tsweep. The few natives acquainted with them know them as “the
crying birds,’ from their loud notes, but many living near their haunts knew
nothing of them. In March, on El Yunque, they were spread out during the
daytime through the brush, many being breeding birds, though occasionally
flocks of a dozen or so would appear. At night, however, they gathered in
bands to roost. Above the Hacienda Catalina they used three or four royal
palms growing near the summit of a ridge. There would be no sign of them
until nearly dark, and then suddenly the thickets and patches of gonduros
(Cajanus cajan) would be alive with the birds coming up the slopes, calling and
scolding. From here they flew into the palms, and after much chattering and
fighting were settled for the night. Near Maricao, in June, they were breeding,
and no flocks were seen. Here they frequented coffee plantations almost exciu-
sively, working actively through the trees above the coffee, fluttering through
the twigs, and examining leaves and under sides of limbs, occasionally breaking
out with their loud, scolding notes. Several times they were heard singing a
sweet warbling song, with many running trills. The flight is strong and undu-
lating, but the birds seldom fly long distances, preferring to hide in the brush.
No nests were seen, though the birds were breeding. This tanager will be found
perhaps in other scattered localities along the central mountain range of the
island. <A bird seen near the summit of Mount Pelado above Cayey in January
may have been this species.

Food.—In 37 stomachs collected in March on El Yunque and in May and
June near Maricao animal food constitutes 59.87 per cent and vegetable 40.13
per cent. In considering the animal matter 8.4 per cent of the total is composed
of Orthoptera. One day on El Yunque one of these tanagers picked up a large

PLaTE VIII.

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

gq—eelltg

(SNYSLdAHOWYHA SNIVOSINDOIOH) SNDISWWZO| YO ‘GHIaMOV1g NVOIY OLYOd

y Me, iY.

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE |X.

B604M
FIG. 1.—REMAINS OF CATTLE TICKS (MARGAROPUS ANNULATUS).

Twelve cattle ticks, besides other miscellaneous food, were found in the stomach of one
bird.

B6oim

Fic. 2.—REMAINS OF CANE ROOT-BORING WEEVILS (DIAPREPES SPENGLERI).
Snouts of 11 cane root-boring weevils were found in another stomach, in addition to
other miscellaneous food.

STOMACH CONTENTS OF PORTO RICAN BLACKBIRD, OR MOZAM-
BIQUE (HOLOQUISCALUS BRACHYPTERUS).

PLATE X.

Bul. 326, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.

19—9€124

*(SNYAAIINOAdS SNONIdSOSSN) OSOGHAA HO ‘YADVNV_L NVOIY OLYOd

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 121

green grasshopper in a trail ahead of me and proceeded to break it up on a
‘limb and eat it as I watched. The coffee leaf-weevil (Lachnopus sp.), found
in 17 stomachs, constituted 8.5 per cent, while other weevils (0.21 per cent)
and various beetles (0.85 per cent) were eaten to some extent. Bug remains
in three instances amount to 1.26 per cent.
. Moths in 2 stomachs and caterpillars in 21 formed a large bulk (30.94 per
cent), more than half the animal food. Remains of Hymenoptera, largely
fragments of ants, come to 1.72 per cent, and spiders in six instances constitute
1.49 per cent. Snails (0.72 per cent) were eaten twice, and vertebrate matter
(tree toads and a small lizard) comes to 6.12 per cent. Miscellaneous matter
figures as 0.61 per cent. d
A list of identified material follows:

HEMIPTERA,. VERTEBRATA.
I HAGUE 32 eS ee
Hleutherodactylus. sp2=2 22 ==" 22222 2
COLEOPTERA. Anolis sp OR Seen, AE 8 RN REO DY ne As ter 1
OM MOCHDITHOS 3) eee 1
ECO DSA DUC ONS ee eee 1
QAO DIS SS VS ee ee NZ

Vegetable food.—The larger portion of the vegetable food consumed by this
bird may be classed as wild fruits (25.7 per cent). Berries of various rubi-
aceous plants were represented most commonly, many being unidentified. Al-
though no sand was eaten to aid digestion, a number of stomachs contained
grass seeds and other species with little or no pulpy exterior, which amount to
8.27 per cent, while miscellaneous matter classed as rubbish comes to 6.16 per
cent.

The following were identified :

Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama) —--~ 4.| Camacey (Miconia prasina)--------- 3
Paspalum W(Paspalwmesp.)j = = 2a Ad eligi, (AICCIiG SD) eae ae eee 1
Panic grass (Panicum sp.) —--------- 2 | Capitana (Phoradendron latifolium) — 1
Palmoen(Acrista sp.) 222 --— 3 | Sapalo (Palicourea crocea) =~ ===== 3
AAVAUUG) “aes {CM GOUS: S105) ) es 2} Rabo de raton (Gonzaliguinia spi-

Camacey (Miconia’ sp.) --2.2---_---_ if COLD), 223 = a os ea Yee ae 2

Summary.—The verdoso is almost entirely a beneficial species, and one of
considerable value in the coffee plantations which it frequents. Nearly two-
thirds of the animal food is made up of weevils and caterpillars, all serious
pests, and the only evil chargeable to the bird is the destruction of a small
number of spiders and also of a few lizards and batrachians. Its vegetable food
has no value whatever.

The species seems confined to the immediate vicinity of considerable bodies
of natural forest, and as at present it has seemingly few enemies, it will perhaps
not spread to any extent under protection. In any event, the bird should be
encouraged.

PORTO RICAN SPINDALIS. Spindalis portoricensis (Bryant).
REINA Mora, TOMATH, LLOROSA, REINONA, LLORONA.

The spindalis is common in Porto Rico, but does not occur in the smaller
islands. It is found over the entire island, but comparatively few are encoun-
tered-in the lowlands, it being most abundant in the hills and mountains. It
frequents the patches of second-growth forest, the borders of coffee plantations, |
hedges, and occasionally citrus groves. The birds are unsuspicious when they
alight near one, and peer out of the leaves curiously, but at a distance it is

¢

122 BULLETIN 826, U. S. DEPARTMINT OF AGRICULTURE. .

useless to follow them, as they take alarm instantly. Where food is abundant
they are found in flocks in sheltered spots out of the wind. The flight is strong
and undulating, the birds sweeping along in graceful curves, alighting for a
minute or two, and then passing on, so that in feeding they cover considerable
ground. The call note is a faint tseet, while the males have a low chattering
note. This species has apparently no song. The breeding season extends from
the end of January to the middle of June, and occasional pairs breed during the
rest of the year. The young are very common during June and July.

The food of the spindalis is almost entirely vegetable, and the bird is, without
doubt, the greatest disseminator of seeds in the island. Roving in habit, it
covers considerable territory, appearing wherever there is food to satisfy its
voracious appetite and then passing on. That it does not always confine its
attacks to fruit and seeds appears from the fact that, on at least two occasions,
it was seen stripping climbing vines (Ipomea sp.) of their tender green leaves
and eating them. At Rio Piedras the 1st of January two came into a guana-
bano tree (Anona muricata), and in less than half an hour had almost entirely
consumed two of the fruits, though the skin was rough and prickly and they
were 10 inches long and 5 in diameter. On January 24, near Cayey, a male was
seen in the act of opening a ripe wild orange (china) and eating the pulp and
juice. On half a dozen wild trees near here 30 oranges had been attacked in
the same way. The bird occurs in cultivated groves, but was not seen to do
any damage. Its work is unmistakable, as it tears a large opening in the fruit
from which to extract the pulp, choosing only the ripest fruit.

These birds are frequently infested with a species of parasitic grub, which,
however, in most cases does not appear to affect their vitality seriously. The
parasites are found usually on the breast_just under the skin, though sometimes
they occur on the abdomen and underside of the wings. One bird had about 30
of the grubs, but this was exceptional, 2 or 3 being the usual number. The birds
were observed in the field eating the following fruits and berries, besides those
that have been mentioned: Pomarosa (Jambosa jambos), camacey (Miconia
racemosa), palo de perico (Cordia corymbosa), palo moro (Psychotria
brachiata), a wild fig (Ficus levigaia), and a parcha (Passifiora sexfiora).

Food.—Animal matter occurred in only 2 of the 96 stomachs of the spindalis
examined and in each case consisted of fragments of a coffee leaf-weevil (Lach-
nopus sp.). The other stomachs were filled entirely with seeds and bits of the
skin of the various wild fruits and berries in season at the time the birds were
collected. No sand or gravel was found, and evidently the seeds pass through
the large alimentary canal after the soft matter has been removed, or if the
seeds are soft they are completely digested. None of the fruits or berries
enumerated below has any economic value nor is the dissemination of their seeds
of any importance. These birds are the great seed-distributing agencies of the
island and to them are largely due the growths of shrubs which cover waste
lands, especially in the interior.

Where these birds are found doing serious damage they may properly be de-
stroyed, but damage by them is believed to be rare. Cultivated oranges for the
market are picked and shipped before they are ripe enough to be attacked, so
that the depredations of the spindalis are confined entirely to wild fruit. Very
little is destroyed, considering the large quantities of chinas growing in a wild
state. No trace of coffee berries was found in any of the stomachs. This
species may be regarded as harmless and of no economic importance. Its
beauty should insure its protection unless it is actually found destroying valu-
able fruit.

: BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 12s:

A list of identified wild fruits and berries found in stomachs follows:

Bevild fie. (Ficus Spy) S525 2s Qi NEStOLAX CSCULOLE SD) ae tere es 1
Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)-------- 2 | Nightshade (Solanum sp.)---------- G
Mi'resa (Rubus sp.).------------____ 4>\ Moral «(@ordia' sp.) 22 2
Icaco (Chrysobalanus pellocarpa) —_-- 1 | Moral (Cordia nitida) 2 ~~ 2 1
mspurge (Chemesyce sp.) —~----------- 1 | Moral (Cordia corymbosa) _~---~---~- 2
~Rhacoma (Rhacoma crossopetalum) __ 1 | Sapalo (Palicourea riparia) _—__------ 2
ae \(COSCOMO JSD.) eee eo 1 | Roble guayo (Bouwrreria sp.) --------- 1
‘Camacey (Miconia sp.)_------------ 4 | Tantillo (Randia aculeata)__________ 1
‘Camacey (Miconia prasina) ___------ 16 | Palo moro (Psychotria brachiata) ___- 1
eMurta (Hugenia sp.) =—-------_-----_— 1 | Pendulo .(Citharezylum fruticosum) -- 3

“PORTO RICAN EUPHONIA. Tanagra sclateri (Sundevall).
_ CANARIO DEL PAIS, JILGUERO, JILGUERO DEL PAIS, CANARIO CRIOLLO.,
| The euphonia is a tolerably common resident in Porto Rico, but is found only
in the hills and not in the coastal plain. It associates in pairs or small flocks and
“frequents forests and coffee plantations. In the tree tops these little tanagers
are rather active, hopping quickly about, and calling wheur and a sharp chit-it.
These notes are rather ventriloquial, but when heard the bird may soon be dis-
’ covered in the nearest clumps of capitana (Phoradendron sp.), the seeds of
“which form its food. Certain growths with an abundance of ripe berries are
“visited time after time. The birds usually keep in the thickest parts of the
clumps and are rather hard to distinguish from honey creepers. They are at
times rather shy, and then fly for considerable distances with a bounding flight.
_ These birds were in pairs in January and were nesting by the last of Feb-
‘ruary. Young birds were taken May 17 near Yauco, and were common until
the first week in July. By August 10 many adults had completed the molt.
The males have a low song consisting of the rapid repetition of a single metallic
“ phrase, preceded by louder explosive notes, with twittering interpolations.
For this and their bright colors they are prized greatly as cage birds, and
about Ponce and Juana Diaz bird catching is a regular occupation with the
_boys, and the birds are offered in the markets for 5 and 10 cents apiece. In
-eatching them, a bird, usually a female, is shut up in a wicker cage, and a con-
' venient perch or the top of the cage smeared with bird lime. The cage is then
placed in a bush, and the captive whistles loudly, calling down the others; or
: the bird catcher holds the cage in his hand, up toward the trees, where the free
birds hop about excitedly calling and whistling loudly. The crate is then
moved rapidly back and forth or carried away, the boy running quickly, when
: the notes of the captive, as it jostles about inside, prove too much for the
_ others, and they fly down. Once they alight, their fate is sealed, and in a few
_ minutes they are inside the cage, themselves captive. In captivity the food is
) ‘almost entirely ripe bananas and the birds appear to thrive on this diet.
i Food.—Fifty-one stomachs of this tanager were examined and in them nothing
a but the seeds of mistletoe, known as capitana, was found, from 2 to 20 occurring
in each stomach. These seeds are small, coated with a thick, transparent, vis-
i cous fluid, and are inclosed in an outer envelope. In feeding the berry is broken
: and the inner portion swallowed, the outer covering being discarded. In dissect-
: ing the tanagers the seeds and viscous matter found in the lower part of the in-
i: testines were in the same condition apparently as those which remained in the
‘ throat, though the nutritive matter had been removed by digestion (Wetmore
: 1914a). The birds, then, act as distributors of their favorite food, the gelatinous
= Strings supporting the seeds after passing through the alimentary canal catch-
ing and lodging on the limbs of the trees and producing new plants. It was
; noticeable that the mistletoe was very abundant in the dry region of the south

coast, as the seeds here were less liable to be washed to the ground before the
+

4 ae ee
fips Ss ee pe 7 ‘

124 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. '

heat could dry them and fasten them to the limbs than they were in regions of
copious rainfall. Though mistletoe is considered injurious where it is abundant
enough to kill the trees so unfortunate as to act as hosts, no complaint was made
of it in Porto Rico nor could any damage be attributed ot it. It grew commonly
in trees serving as shade for the coffee, but no attempt was made to cut it out
or keep it down. Infested trees were apparently healthy. The birds are very
active and at times I was led to believe that they were capturing insects, but no
trace of such food was found in the stomachs examined.

Under present conditions the euphonia has no economic importance and is
harmless. It is much prized as a cage bird on the south side of the island and
many are trapped. There is no need of restricting this practice when carried on
humanely, as the birds, although hunted for this purpose for many years, hold
their own. Furthermore, it may be said that these little tanagers thrive and
appear happy in captivity, becoming tame and confiding, and bringing enjoy-
ment to many.

Mistletoe, or capitana, Seas of the following species were identified in the
stomachs examined:

Phoradendron quadrangulare_____--_ 9 | Phoradendron chrysocarpum____----- 29
Phoradendron latifoliwm___-_.----~-- 18 |: Phoradendron-sps- =! = ee See 1

PORTO RICAN GROSBEAK. Lozigilla portoricensis (Daudin).
GALLITO, CHURRI, CAPITAN, COMB GANDUL.

The grosbeak is a common resident in Porto Rico, occurring along the coast
only when there is dense brush, but found through the hills inland. It is seem-
ingly absent or very rare in the eastern third of the island. The birds are shy
and are observed often in coffee plantations feeding on the ground. Only occa-
sionally, in little-frequented localities, do they feed in the open. The flight is
quick and tilting, and the birds often dodge across from one patch of cover to
the next. The males fiy into the tops of trees, and, keeping concealed in the
leaves, sing a loud cardinal-like song. But for the number heard singing, one
would consider them rare, so well do they keep hidden. This is one of the few
birds of Porto Rico that sing constantly, so that its song is all the more wel-
come. The ordinary call note is a low tsweet. These birds nest rather irregu-
larly throughout the year, the main nesting period, however, being from Feb-
ruary to the last of June. One nest was seen near Salinas on a horizontal limb
about 30 feet from the ground. One found June 26, near Lares, was in the top
of an inclined coffee tree, about 5 feet from the ground, and though it was large
and bulky it was almost entirely concealed. The foundation was of dried
banana leaves, and above these sticks, grass, and weed stems were built up,
forming a deep cup, lined with grass and rootlets. This nest contained three
greenish eggs, spotted and blotched with brown. The young of this species pair
as soon as full grown and often before they are in fully adult plumage. The
young are most abundant in July and August. The adults are molting then and
have almost ceased to sing.

At Lares it was believed that this bird was responsible for much of the dam-
age done to the coffee crop in stripping the berries of the sweet outer pulp, but
this I failed to substantiate by actual observation. These birds were some-
times seen scratching in the leaves in dense shrubbery for food. It was sur-
prising to see how well their black color protected them in the dense shadows;
only when in motion could the form of the birds be made out, even though close
by. They were observed eating the fruit of the following: Icaco (Chrysoba-
lanus sp.), manzanillo (Hippomane manchinella), pomarosa (Jambosa jambos),
and sapalo (Palicourea riparia).

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 125

Food.—The stomachs of 26 of these birds were examined, collected every
month from December to August except March. The animal content comprises
29.89 per cent and the vegetable 70.11 per cent. Though animal food was found
in every stomach, the quantity was small in some cases, the main dependence
for sustenance being upon vegetable matter.

Orthopterous eggs (1.17 per cent) were found in two stomachs taken in
December and January. Scarred-snout beetles came to 9.57 per cent, and in
three cases were the cane root-boring weevil (Diaprepes spengleri) and in five
consisted of fragments of coffee leaf-weevils (Lachnopus sp.). Miscellaneous
weevil remains in eight instances came to 4.57 per cent. With the powerful
bill of this grosbeak the insects eaten were ground up into very small fragments
so that they were hard to recognize. Fragments of other beetles (10.42 per
cent) were found in 12 stomachs, and among them a buprestid (Acm«odera sp.)
and a Cryptocephalus were identified. Caterpillars (38.07 per cent) were eaten
twice. Spiders, found only once, amount to 0.16 per cent. Miscellaneous animal
matter, including bits of snail shell, a neuropteran, and a scale insect (Lecanium
sp.), constitute 0.93 per cent.

Though a few grass seeds are eaten, most of the seeds found in these stom-
achs are those of wild berries and small fruits, none of any value to man. As
much gravel is eaten, the seeds in most cases are ground up and digested, as
well as the pulp surrounding them. These stomachs were examined carefully
for remains of coffee berries, but no trace of them was found, and from the data
available the bird is to be considered beneficial. Though animal food forms
slightly less than one-third of the bulk, it is composed almost entirely of inju-
rious insects of considerable importance to agriculture. It may be that this
grosbeak feeds at times on coffee or small garden legumes, but few complaints
were heard, so that the habit, if practiced, seems to be infrequent.

A list of identified seeds follows:

Paspalum (Paspalum sp.) -----------~ 5 | Hspino (Xanthozylum sp.) —-------—_ 3
Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama) —_-~ Zl Camacey, (MACconiGg Sp») eee 5
Fimbristylis (Fimbristylis sp.) _------ oe Aa (CanSiCiintSDs)) a ee 5
Whitetop (Dichromena ciliata) _~--__- PRN IG OTM GOPATHATE SV 95) ee ee Se 3
Stamgerasse (CHypovisasp.)) ]———— = 3 | Palo moro (Psychotria brachiata) __~ al
Wet ChinGVici Gi SD s)r ener ee 1

CARIB GRASSQUIT. Tiaris bicolor omissa (Jardine).
CHAMORRO, GORRION, CHAMORRO BICOLOR.

The Carib grassquit is an abundant resident in Porto Rico, especially so on
the dry south coast. Except at Mameyes and Aibonito, it greatly outnumbered
the other species of grassquit. These birds occur wherever there is any cover
for them in the cane fields, the maya hedges, thickets, coffee plantations, or
second-growth forest. They are tame, unsuspicious little birds, that are found
in pairs and sometimes in small flocks. In riding through the cane fields at dusk
they were continually fluttering along ahead, so that the cane was full of their
rustlings. They were found often working through the trees in various locali-
ties, searching through the limbs exactly like honey creepers, and there were so
many in the open fields that it was surprising to find them at home in the dense
second growth of the forest.

The breeding season appears to extend well through the year, fully fledged
young being observed from January to June, and breeding birds were taken in
every month in which I collected. Loose flocks, mainly young birds, were en-
countered all through the year while the adults were in pairs and nesting.
Nests were located in maya hedges, or bushes, only a foot or so from the
ground, and were always concealed. One found in a coffee plantation near

. 126 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Yauco May 21 was in the midst of a thick bush about 3 feet from the ground
and was made of grass and weed stalks, arched over, with a rough opening at
one side. The cup within that contained the eggs was made of very soft, fine
grasses, and the eggs were four in number, whitish, heavily marked with cinna-
mon, and lined somewhat with black.
The males sang all day long from a post, weed, telephone wire, or other open
perch, a harsh emphatic little song that reminded me of a dickcissel. In fly-
ing they frequently changed to a slow direct flight, with trembling wings, and
head thrown back, and sang until another perch was reached. The eall note is
a low tseet.
Food.—Seventy-two stomachs of this small finch were examined, collected in
the months from December to September, inclusive, and in these animal food
was found in five birds only. The species is almost entirely granivorous in
its diet, the animal food coming to a very small percentage of the bulk. Two
stomachs contained very slight remains, one of a small homopteran and the
other of a spider. One had eaten 11 small caterpillars and 2 roaches, another
4 ieaf hoppers, and a third a small caterpillar and a spider.
Seeds of all kinds of grasses and sedge are eaten eagerly and ground up in
the muscular gizzard with sand taken for that purpose. They are usually
swallowed entire, but occasionally were first neatly hulled. Some of these, as—
the crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis), are noxious species abundant in
cultivated fields. Other weed seeds of importance as pests also are consumed, .
as the purslane (Poriulaca oleracea) and pigweed (Amaranthus sp.). Though
the bird is accused of eating tobacco seeds left in the fields for seed, no trace
of them was found and a bird shot in such a field near Comerio had taken only
grass seeds.
This grassquit is entirely harmless and does some good in destroying the
seeds of noxious weeds and a few harmful insects, so that it is worthy of a
place on the protected list. .
A list of seeds identified in these stomachs follows:

Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama)_-_ 24 | Fimbristylis (Fimbristylis sp.) _----_~ 5
Paspalum (Paspalum sp.) ----------- Lt | -Sedzge*“(Carer "spo eee 3.
Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguin- Star erass (CAypocis) sp) eee “8

(LUGS) ei Se ee Be 16 | Amaranth (Achyranthes indica)_-___~ 19
Panic grass (Panicum sp.)--------- 7 | Verdolaguilla (Talinum paniculatum) _— 1
Malojillo (Panicum fasciculatum)-___ 20 | Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) ______ 10
Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) ~~~ 8 | Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.)-------- 12
Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens) ~~~ Sie Vinazrilloy (O2elis; sp.) 14
Chioris| 2 (Ghiloris radiata) 322 ss 2 | Espino (Xanthozylum sp.) —-------~— 14
Egyptian grass (Dactyloctenium egyp- Nightshade (Solanum sp.) ---_------- 1

CUCU Se et Ee aN eran ee 10

BRYANT’S GRASSQUIT. Tiaris olivacea bryanti (Ridgway).
GORRION, CHAMORRO, CHAMORRO BELLO.

Bryant’s grassquit is a common resident on Porto Rico and Vieques, but
rare on Culebra Island. This species is found entirely in the open, in pastures
and cultivated fields, following the maya hedges or scanty growths of bushes.
It never goes into the dense thickets, as the other grassquit (7. 6. omissa) does.
Small marshes covered with high grass are favorite localities and in brushy
pastures, where the grass is long, the birds are common. They occur all
through the year in small flocks, sometimes merely a family group, or again
15 or 20 individuals together. When flushed they fiy with an undulating flight
to the nearest maya hedge or thicket, and then work rapidly away, or if not
further disturbed drop down again to the ground and continue feeding. In
the cane fields they retreat before the men advancing in cutting the crop, and

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 1

concentrate in pastures and hedges, ready to scatter again over the fields when
the new crop is large enough to shelter them. Gundlach (1878, p. 204) says
that in his time they came about the crude sugar mills then in operation to
eat the sugar as it was manufactured.

The males sing all day long from some elevated perch an insectlike trill
which can not be heard at any distance, and the ordinary call note is a faint
tseep.

The breeding season apparently extends through the entire year. The greater
number of the birds nest low down, usually in the grass on the edge of a ditch
or depression or in grassy fields. The nest is a ball made of fine grasses, with
an entrance in one side. One found near the Hacienda Catalina March 4 con-
tained three eggs, white with a greenish tinge, spotted with cinnamon brown,
the spots forming a slight wreath about the large end of the egg. Young birds
were noted through the entire year.

Food.—Of 65 birds examined only 1 had eaten insect matter, and this had
picked up 8 spiders and a leaf hopper (TVettigonia sp.). The great bulk of the
food consists of grass seeds, some of species regarded as weeds, as the crab
grass (Syntherisma sangwinalis), seeds of which were found in 23 stomachs. All
the common species of grasses are represented, and besides these a few seeds of
a sedge (Fimbristylis sp.) and star grass (Hypozis sp.) were found. This
grassquit is entirely harmless, and though practically no insects are taken it de-
stroys many seeds of injurious weeds, so that it should be protected.

A list of seeds identified in these stomachs follows:

Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama)_--— 27 | Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) ~~~ 3
Paspalum (Paspalum sp.)~~---------~ 9 | Ichnanthus (Ichnanthus pallens)--_- 16
Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis).~ 23 | Chloris (Chloris radiata) ~__________ 4
Malojillo (Panicum fasciculatum) —-~~ 8 | Fimbristylis (Fimbristylis sp.) -_--_- 9
Panic grass (Panicum sp.) ——~-=———=—- Sle Star verass «(Hynorisusp.) a 14

SANTO DOMINGAN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. Coturniculus savannarum intri-
catus Hartert.
GORRION, CHAMORRO.

The grasshopper sparrow is resident in Porto Rico, but now found apparently
in only a few localities. A colony of 35 or more was located near Yabucoa May
10. It was common north of Cabo Rojo August 24 to 31, and was frequently
seen along the Bayamon River near Bayamon July 20 to 25. This species would
seem, then, to occur only in the lowlands, though there is in the United States
National Museum one specimen from Caguas. Bowdish (1902-3, p. 13) records
it as fairly common near San Juan, Aguadilla, and Mayagtiez in the period from
1899 to 1901. <A series of birds collected belong to this subspecies (described by
Hartert from El Valle, Santo Domingo). They are found only in open pastures
where the grass grows high enough to afford shelter, or on waste land, as the
gravel bars along the Bayamon River. As more and more of these areas are
broken up and cultivated the birds will become rarer. :

This is a very inconspicuous species and one easily overlooked. In passing
through their haunts they are seen merely to skulk to one side in the grass or
fly up just behind one, and after a short, rather weak flight drop back again
into cover. On the ground they creep along through the grass, or hop when it is
more open, stretching up their heads and flirting their tails nervously. The
song of the males is a weak effort that may be represented by the syllables
tsick tsee—ee—ee—ee, the first syllable sharp and quick and the last insectlike.
The song is very ventriloquial, the first part seeming to come from one side and
last from another. The birds sing from a weed top a foot or more above the
ground, and by inspecting these closely the sparrows may be located after a few

128 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

minutes. They sing occasionally even as late as August, but not so much as
earlier in the summer.

They nest from May to August (Bowdish records a nest at Aguadilla June 16,
1900), and it would appear that two broods are raised. Their ground-haunting
habits and nests lay them open to attacks of the mongoose and doubtless many
are destroyed. The last of July, near Bayamon, one immature bird in fresh fall
plumage was taken, but most of the young were then in juvenile dress. The
adults were very worn at that time, some of them having the rectrices much
abraded or even broken, but they were not molting. Here another song was
heard, a series of low twittering notes, even harder to locate than the other,
while the call note was a scolding fsip. The young birds, now shifting for them-
selves, were common along the gravel bars in the stream, sometimes perching,
two or three together, in low weeds, and acting more curious than afraid.

Food.—Thirty-two stomachs of the grasshopper sparrow were at hand for
examination, collected in May, July, and August. Animal food forms 65.9 per
cent and vegetable 34.1 per cent, these figures corresponding very closeiy to what
is known of the food of allied subspecies in the north. Orthoptera, Lepidoptera,
and Coleoptera form the bulk of the animal food and seeds of grass and other
plants compose the vegetable portion.

Animal food—Two birds had eaten nymphs of the mole cricket (0.25 per
cent), and crickets seem to be favorite food, as they were found in seven
stomachs, and at Bayamon a female was feeding a large cricket (Anurogrt -yllus
muticus) to her young. Grasshoppers were noticed in four stomachs and
Orthoptera as a whole occurred in 17 birds, constituting 24.82 per cent of the
total. Lantern flies were eaten seven times and come to 1.28 per cent and other —
Homoptera, all small species, to 1.48 per cent. Stinkbugs in four instances and
a few fragments of other bugs constitute 3.75 per cent. Leaf beetles (5.3 per
cent) were favorites with the grasshopper sparrow and many were eaten. A
striped flea-beetle (Systena basalis), a species destructive to all small garden
crops and vegetables, was found in 12 stomachs. A tortoise beetle was taken
twice, a bean leaf-beetle (Cerotoma denticornis) once, and a Diabrotica once.
Scarred-snout beetles (0.87 per cent) were eaten four times and include one
cane root-borer (Diaprepes spengleri). Curculios amount to 2.25 per cent and
miscellaneous weevil remains to 0.25 per cent. Small fragments of other Coleop-
tera total 0.97 per cent. One carabid was eaten. All of these hard-shelled
insects were very finely ground in the stomachs of this bird.

Remains of Hymenoptera (1.33 per cent) were in nine instances those of ants,
and in two the fragments of small parasitic species. Twenty-one birds had
eaten caterpillars, and one a moth, all coming to 14.8 per cent. Spider remains
in eight stomachs amount to 7.75 per cent, and other animal matter, bits of a
snail, insect eggs, and unidentified materia], come to 0.8 per cent.

A list of identified animal matter follows:

CRTHOPTERA. COLEOPTERA—continued.
Scapteriscus didactylus ______------~_ 2) Systena: basths 22 Se aa 12
Coptocycia signijera=——_ = 2
HEMIPTERA. Platydema. sp. 2 eee 2
: Diaprepes spenglers == ee L
OFrnrensts Sp Be 4 eee 2 ake ge
: Lachnopus sp:2 ee eee 2
OG TALES et ee 2
Huscepes porcettas. see 1
COLEOPTERA. HYMENOPTERA.
Cerotoma denticornis___________-____ 1} Sotentpsis geminate2== = 2
Diatrotica ‘graminea—- == 52) ees eS 1 | Pheidole subarmata boringuensis__—_—~ 1

|
)

BIRDS OF PORTO RICO. 129

Vegetable food.—Vegetable matter was found in all but 2 of the stomachs
examined, most of it in 20 stomachs collected in July, when it comes to 46.7 per
cent. This matter consists entirely of seeds, largely those of grasses, with a few
sedges and miscellaneous weed seeds. Some of the species taken are notorious
weeds. These are all ground up in the strong stomachs and digested with the
aid of sand.

A list of identified seeds is given below :

Paspalum (Paspalum millegrama)__- 11 | Whitetop (Dichromena ciliata) _-_~~~ 2,
Paspalum (Paspalum sp.) —----~--~--- Ae Sed se CArecesSpy) 2s ee eat 1
Crab grass (Syntherisma sanguindlis) — 4 | Star grass (Hypowis sp.)_-_-_-__-_-___ 8
Malojillo (Panicum fasciculatum) —__-~ 8 | Amaranth (Amaranthus sp.) ------~__ 5
Panic grass (Panicum sp.)—-~-------- 3 Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) ~~----~ 4
Smut grass (Sporobolus indicus) _—--—~ ZA hin ONCE ECE EGLE = SPs) ass ee 2
Ichnanthus (IJchnanthus pallens) _——_~ ie Verdolasulla, (Ocatis Sp.) 22_--_ = i
Egyptian grass (Dactyloctenium egyp-
UGLY) a tae een LE A ah a Th i

Summary.—No evil can be attributed to the grasshopper sparrow, and it is
to be regretted that it is not so abundant as the ever-present grassquits. Orthop-
tera, including a small number of mole crickets, form one-fourth of the food,
and besides large numbers of weevils and caterpillars are eaten. In 32 stom-
achs only one beneficial beetle and two parasitic chalcids were found, while
spiders were eaten in smali quantity. The remainder of the animal food was
composed entirely of injurious insects of great economic importance. Some of
the seeds eaten are those of noxious weeds, and none of any actual value, so
that this element in its food also adds to the usefulness of the bird. Though
few in number, it is a species of considerable importance to the island.

[RED SISKIN. Spinus cucullatus (Swainson).
DOMINIQUITO.

Sundevall (1869, p. 597) includes the red siskin in his list as received from Hjalmar-
son, and on this is based the belief that this siskin has been naturalized in Porto Rico.
Gundlach, however (1878a, pp. 174-175), says that Hjalmarson assured him his specimen
was a cage bird, so that the siskin has no status as a Porto Rican bird and is included
here merely to correct the many statements that it has been found on the island in a
wild state.]

9767°—Bull. 326-—16——9

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INDEX.

A. B.
Accipiter, 8.
s. venator, 33-34. bahamensis, Pecilonetta, 29.
_ Acknowledgments, 16. Baldpate, 30.
Actitis macularia, 10, 41-42. Bananaquit, Porto Rican, 109-111.
acuflavida, Sterna sandvicensis, 48. Barbequejo, 49.
acuta, Dafila, 29. Larga, 41, 43.
adelaide, Dendroica, 7, 102-104. Barrancolino, 64-66.
adoxa, Ardea herodias, 26. bartholemica, Dendroica petechia, 10, 105—
Agialitis meloda, 38. “106.
semipalmata, 38. Bartramia longicauda, 42.
ethereus, Phaéthon, 18. Becacina, 10, 44-45.
affinis, Marila, 28-29. Becard, 14.
Agelaius santhomus, 5, 7, 10, 11, 1138-115. | Bengali, 112.
Aguaita-caiman, 21-23. Bibliography, 130-132.
- Aguila, 34. bicolor, Iridoprocne, 85.
marina, 34. Bien-te-veo, 7, 10, 96, 97-98.
alba, Guara, 27. Bijirita adelaida, 7, 102-104.
albeola, Charitonetta, 28. aplomada, 7, 104-105.
Alcatraz, 18. coronada, 104.
alcyon, Ceryle alcyon, 66-67. de costa, 105.
Amandava melpoda, 5, 14, 112. | de palmas, 101.

Amazona vittata, 55-56.

americana, Fulica americana, 34-35.
Mareca, 30.

americanus, Coccyzus, 10, 56-57.
Phaéthon, 18.

anetheta, Sterna, 46.

anatum, Falco peregrinus, 32.

Ani, 10, 18, 15, 59-62.

ani, Crotophaga, 5, 7, 10, 11, 59-62.

Annotated list of species, 17-129.

Anois s. stolidus, 46.

Anthracothorax aurulentus, 5, 7, 73-74.
viridis, 7, 72-73.

antillarum, Myiarchus, 7, 10, 81-82.
Podilymbus podiceps, 17.
Sterna, 47.

dominica, 104.
estriada, 102.
ralana. i, 102%
manchada, 105.
mariposera, 102-104.
palmera, 101.
rayada, 102.
trepadora, 7.
Bird life, 4-7.
Bittern, 27.
Least, 26-27.
Blacicus blancoi, 7, 8, 838-84.
Blackbird Porto: Rican; 8; 9) 10, 3.085;
117-120.
Yellow-shouldered, 113-115.
blancoi, Blacicus, 7, 8, 83-84.
Antrostomus carolinensis, 11, 69. Bobito, 7, 8, 83-84.
v. vociferus, 69. Bobolink, 113.
Aramus vociferus, 37-38. Booby, 19.
-Archilochis colubris, 790. Red-footed, 18-19.
Ardea h. adoaxa, 26. borealis, Buteo, 33.
occidentalis, 26. Numenius, 41.
Arenaria i. morinetla, 40-41. Botaurus tentiginosus, 27.
Arenaro, 43. Boyero, 48-49.
Asio portoricensis, 67. trachidactyla, Geothlypis trichas, 99.
atriciila, Larus, 45-46. brachypterus, Holoquiscalus, 5, 7, 9, 19,
atronitens, Molothrus, 120. 11, 117-120. :
Aura, 30-381. bryanti, Tiaris olivacea, 5, 7, 126-127.
tinosa, 30-381. Buffle-head, 28.
aura, Cathartes aura, 14, 30-31. Euguere, 19.
aurocapillus, Seiuwrus, 5, 101. Buteo bdorealis, 33.
aurulentus, Anthracothoraa, 5, 7, 73—T4. p. platypterus, 32.
autumnalis, Dendrocygna, 30, Butorides v. cubanus, 5, 9, 10, 21-23.
Plegadis, 27. v, virescens, 21.

133

134

C.
Caballero, 42-43.
chillon, 43.
Caculo, Bird enemies of, 11.
cerulescens, Dendroica cerulescens, 7, 104—
105.

Florida cerulea, 5, 10, 11, 23—24.
Calandra, 7, 10; dee it5=it' 7
Calandria, 115-117.

Calidris leucophea, 43.
calidris, Vireosylve calidris, T, 10, 97-98.
Canario criollo, 123-124. —~
del manglar, 10, 105-106.
del pais, 123-124.
Candelita, 7, 98—99.
candidissima, Egretta candidissima, 25.
Cane fields, Birds found in, 5—6.
Capacho, 11, 69, 69-70.
Capitan, 118-115, 124-125.
Carib, Green, 71-72.
caribea, Chlorenas, 54.

Fulica, 35.
caribeus, Rallus longirostris, 36—8T.
carolina, Porzana, 36.
carolinensis, Antrostomus, 11, 69.

Pandion haliaétus, 34.

Carpintero, 7, 62—-€4.

Carrao, 37-38.

Cathartes a. aura, 14, 30-31.
Catoptrophorus s. semipalmatus, 42.
Cervera, 46.

Ceryle a. alcyon, 66-67.

Chemepelia p. exigua, 51.

p. trochila, 5, 7, 49-51.
Chambergo, 113.

Chamorro, 125-126, 126-127, 127-129.

bello, 126—127.

bicolor, 5, 7, 125-126.
Changa, Bird enemies of, 9-10.
Chango, 117-120.

Charadrius d. dominicus, 40.
Charitonetta albeola, 28.
Chen h. nivalis, 30.

Chiriria, 30.

Chirre, 48.

de altura, 18.

Chlorenas caribea, 54.

4. exsul, 55.
chloropterus, Conurus, 55.
Chlorostilbon maugei, 7, TO-71.
Chordeiles v. minor, 69-70.
Chorlito, 40.

Chorlo, 41, 42, 42-438, 43.
chrysia, Geotrygon, 49.
Chuck-will’s-widow, 69.
Chupador de arroz, 111-112.
Churri, 124-125.

Citrus groves, Birds frequenting,
Clerigo, 7, 10, 11, 78-80.
clypeata, Spatula, 29-30.
Ccéccyzus americanus, 10, 56-57.

erythropthalmus, 56.

m. nesiotes, 7, 10, 11, 57-58.
Coco 2:

blanco, 27.

oscure, 27.

fe

BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Cedorniz, 34.
Cereba portoricensis, 5, 7, 109-111.
Coffee plantations, Birds founé in, 6-7.
Coli rubio, 98—99.
Colibri, 70-71, 73-74.
Colinus v. cubanensis, 14, 34.
collaris, Marila, 28.
colubris, Archilochis, 70.
Columba leucocephala, 53.
Squamosa, 7, 53-54.
columbarius, Falco columbarius, 32.
Colymbus d. dominicus, 17-18.
Come gandul, 124-125.
Compacho, 69-70.
Compsothlypis ad. usne@, T, 107-108.
Conurus chloropterus, 55.
Coot, American, 34-35.
Caribbean, 35.
Coracolero, 38.
coronata, Dendroica, 104.
Correador, 388.
Coruja, 67.
Corvus 1. leucognaphalus, 94-95.
Cotinga, 14.
Cotorra, 55-56.
Ccturniculus s. intricatus, 10, 127-129.
Courlan, 6, 37-388.
Cowbird, Glossy, 120.
Creciscus jamaicensis, 36.
Creeper, Porto Rican honey, 7, 109-111.
Creguete, 69-70.
Crotophaga ani, 5, T, 10, 11, 59-62.
Crow, Porto Rican, 6, 94-95.
cubanus, Butorides virescens,
21-28.
cubanensis, Colinus virginianus, 14, 34.
Cuckoo, 6.
Black-billed, 56.
Mangrove, 57—58.
Vieillot’s ground, 58-59.
Yellow-billed, 56-57.
cucullata, Spermestes, 7, 14, 111-112.
cucullatus, Spinus, 129.
Cuervo, 94-95.
Curlew, Eskimo, 41.
Hudsonian, 41.
Curlis, 41.

5,. 95-10;

D.

Dafila acuta, 29.
Dagareta, 35-86, 36.
negra, 34-35.
Dagaretilla, 36.
delicata, Gallinago, 10, 44-45.
Dendrocygna autumnalis, 30.
Dendroica adelaide, 7, 102-104.
c. cerulescens, T, 104-105.
coronata, 104.
discolor, 7, 102.
d. dominica, 104.
magnolia, 105.
p. bartholemica, 10, 105-106.
p. palmarum, 101.
striata, 102.
tigrina, 105.
Diablito, 7, 111-112.

-

INDEX.

Diaprepes spengleri, Bird enemies of, 10.
didactylus, Scapteriscus, Bird enemies of,
9-10.
discolor, Dendroica, 7, 102.
discors, Querquedula, 30.
Dolichonyx oryzivorus, 113.
dominica, Dendroica dominica, 104.
dominicensis, Progne, 5, 88-89.
Tyrannus dominicensis, 5,
75-78.
dominicus, Charadrius dominicus, 40.
Colymbus dominicus, 17-18.
Nomonya, 28.
Dominiquito, 129.
dougalli, Sterna, 47.
Dove, Mona ground, 51.
Mourning, 52-53.
’ Porto Rican (Zenaida), 51-52.
Porto Rican ground, 49-51.
Duck, Bahama, 29.
Black-bellied tree, 30.
Lesser scaup, 28-29.
Masked, 28.
Ring-necked, 28.
Ruddy, 28.

Os TL,

E.

Economic considerations, 7-11.
Heret, 25—26.

Snowy, 25.

Egretta c. candidissima, 25.
egretta, Herodias, 10, 25-26.
Elainea, 8.

Antillean, 84-85.

Elainea m. martinica, 8, 84-85.
Emerald, Porto Rican, 70-71.
Ereunetes pusillus, 43-44.
Erismatura jamaicensis, 28.
erythrogastra, Hirundo, 85.
erythropthalmus, Coccyzus, 56.
Euphonia, Porto Rican, 123-124.
exigua, Chemepelia passerina, 51.
exilis, Ixobrychus ewilis, 26-27.

Microlyssa exilis, 70.
exsul, Chlorenas inornata, 55.

F.
Falco c. columbarius, 32.

p. anatum, 32.

Ss. loquacula, 5, 7, 10, 31-32.
Falcon, 5, 7, 10, 31-82, 33-34.
fedoa, Limosa, 43.

Finch, Hooded weaver, 14, 111-112.

Scarlet-cheeked weaver, 14, 112.
Flamenco, 27-28.

Flamingo, 27-28.
flavipes, Totanus, 42-48.
flaviventris, Porzana, 36.
Florida c. cerulescens, 5, 10, 11, 23-24.
Flycatcher, 6, 8, 10, 14.
Antillean, 81-82.
Forastera, 45-46.
Fraile miguelete, 66-67.
Frailecillo cabezon, 38.

chico, 38.

melodico, 38.

sabanero, 39-40.

135

Frailecito, 38.
Fregata magnificens, 19-20.
Fulica a. americana, 34-35.
caribea, 35.
fuscata, Sterna, 46-47.
fuscatus, Margarops fuscatus, 9, 10, 89-90.
fuscicollis, Pisobia, 44.

G.

galeata, Gallinula galeata, 10, 35-86.
Gabilan, 32.
Gallareta, 10, 34-35, 35, 36.
de agua, 35-36.
de cienaga, 36.
martiniquena, 36.
platanera, 36.
Gallaretilla, 36.
Gallego, 45-46.
Gallina de guinea, 34.
Gallinago delicata, 10, 44-453.
Gallinassa, 18.
Gallinaza, 18, 35-36.
Gallinazo, 34-35.
Gallinuela, 36.
Gallinula g. galeata, 10, 35-36.
Gallinule, Florida, 35-36.

Purple, 36.
Gallito, 7, 10, 38, 124-125.
Ganga, 42.

Ganso blanco, 30.
Garza, 5, 10, 11, 28-24, 24-25, 25.

azul, 23-24.

blanca, 25.

de cuello rojo, 24—25.

real, 25-26.

Garzon blanco, 10, 25-26, 26.

ceniciento, 26.

cenizo, 26.

Gavilan, 32.
Gaviota, 18, 45-46, 46, 46-47, 47, 47-48, 48.

antillana, 47.

boba, 45-46.

de pico agudo, 48.

del paraiso, 47.

negra, 46.

osecura, 46-47.

regia, 48.

Geothlypis t. brachidactyla, 99.
Geotrygon chrysia, 49.
montana, 7, 48-49.
mystacea, 49.
Godwit, Marbled, 43.
Golondrina, 5, 7, 74-75, 85, 85-87, 88-89.

ae cuevas, 85-87.

de iglesias, 88-89.

riberiega, 85.

Goose, Greater snow, 30.
Gorrion, 5, 7, 10, 111-112, 112, 125-126,
126-127, 127-129.
Grassquit, Bryant’s, 126-127.
Carib, 125-126.
Grebe, Antillean, 17.

West Indian, 17-18.
Grosbeak, Porto Rican, 124-125.
Guabairo, 69.

chico, 69,

136

Guanaba, 20.
Guanana, 30.
Guara alba, 27.
Guaraguou, 33.
de sabana, 32,
de sierra, 33.
Guaraiba, 69.
Guareao, 37-38.
Guincho, 34.
Guinea, 34.
fowl, 14.
hen, 34.
Gull, Laughing, 45-46.
Gusanero, 108, 109—131.
Gusano blanco, Bird enemies of, 11.
Gymnasio n. nudipes, 7, 10, 11, 67-69.

H.

Hematopus palliatus, 38.
Halcon de patos, 32.
Hawk, Broad-winged, 32.
Duck, 32.
Pigeon, 32.
Porto Rican sharp-shinned, 33-34.
Porto Rican sparrow, 12. 31-32.
Red-tailed, 8, 33.
Helodromas s. solitarius, 42.
hemipterus, Metamasius, Bird enemies of,
10-11.
Herodias egretta, 10, 25-26.
Heron, Black-crowned night, 21.
Cuban green, 13, 21-23.
_ Great white, 26.
Little blue, 13, 23-24.
Little green, 21.
Louisiana, 24-25.
Snowy, 138, 25.
West Indian great blue, 26.
Yellow-crowned night, 20.
Himantopus mexicanus, 45.
himantopus, Micropalama, 44.
Hirundo erythrogastra, 85.
hirundo, Sterna, 47-48.
Holoquiscalus brachypterus, 5, T, 9, 10, 11,
117-120.
holosericeus, Sericotes holosericeus, 71-72.
hudsonicus, Numenius, 41.
Hummingbird, Blue-breasted,
Fork-tailed, 70-71.
Gilt-crested, 70.
Ruby-throated, 70.
Hydranassa t. ruficotlis, 24-25.
Fydrochelidon n. surinamensis, 46,
Fiylocichla mustelina, 94.

I.

71-72.

This, Glossy, 27.

White, 27.
Icterus icterus, 14, 116-117.

portoricensis, T, 10, 11, 115-117.
Increasing birds, Methods of, 11-14.
intricatus, Coturniculus savannarum, 10,

127-129.

Introduction, 1-16.

of birds, 14-15.

Ionornis martinicus, 36.

BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Iridoproene bicolor, 85.
Itinerary, 2.
Ixobrychus e. exilis, 26-27.

J.

Jacana, Mexican, 38.
Jacana spinosa, 38.
jamaicensis, Creciscus, 36.
Erismatura, 28.
Nephecetes niger, 74-75.
Jilguero, 7, 123-124.
del pais, 123-124,
Judio, 5, 7, 10, 11, 59-62.
Jui, 7, 10, 81-82. 83-84.
pequeno, 83-84.
Julian chivi, 7, 10, 95—96.
K.
Kildeer, Antillean, 39-40.
Kingbird, 78.
Gray, 12, 15, 75-78.
Kingfisher, Belted, 66-67.

L.

Lachnosterna, Bird enemies of, 11.

Larus atricilla, 45-46.

latimeri, Vireo, T, 10, 95-96.

Lechuza, 33.

lentiginosus, Botaurus, 27.

leucocephala, Columba, 53.

leucogastra, Sula, 19.

leucognaphalus, Corvus
94-95.

leucophea, Calidris, 43.

Limosa fedoa, 43.

Limpkin, 37-38.

Lloren, 120-121.

Llorona, 67, 121-123.

Llorosa, 121-123.

longicauda, Bartramia, 42.

loquacula, Falco sparverius, 5, 7, 10,.31-32.

Lozigilla portoricensis, T, 10, 124-125.

lucida, Zenaida zenaida, 5, 7, 51-52.

leucognaphalus,

M.

macroura, Zenaidura macroura, 52—53.
macularia, Actitis, 10, 41-42.
maculata, Pisobia, 44.
magnificens, Fregata, 19-20.
magnolia, Dendroica, 105.
Man-o’-war bird, 1$—20.
Mango, Green, 72-73.
Porto Rican, 73—74.
Mareca americana, 30.
Margarops f. fuscatus, 9, 10, 89-90.
Marila affinis, 28—2S.
collaris, 28.
Mariquita, 5, 7, 10, 11, 113-115.
Martin, Caribbean, i3, 88—89.
pescador, 66—67.
Martinete, 5, 9, 10, 13, 21, 21-23, 26—2T.
chico, 26-27,

~~

~ aoa

INDEX. Re

martinica, Elainea martinica, 8, 84-85.
martinicus, Ionornis, 36.
Matraca, 66-67.
mauge@i, Chlorostilbon, 7, TO-71.
maxima, Sterna, 48.
May beetle, Bird enemies of, 11.
Medio peso, 64-66.
Melanerpes portoricensis, 7, 62—64.
melanoleucus, Totanus, 43.
meleagris, Numida, 14, 34.
meloda Aigialitis, 38.
melpoda, Amandava, 5, 14, 112,
Metamasius hemipterus, Bird enemies of,
10-11.

mexicanus, Himantopus, 45.

Todus, 7, 64-66.
Microlyssa e. exilis, 70.
Micropalama himantopus, 44.
Mimocichla a. portoricensis, 7, 10, 92-93.
Mimus p. orpheus, 5, 7, 10, 90-92.
minor, Chordeiles virginianus, 69-70.
minutilla, Pisobia, 44.
Mniotilta varia, 7, 108.
Mockingbird, Jamaican, 90-92.
Mole cricket, Bird enemies. of, 9-10.
Molothrus atronitens, 120.
montana, Geotrygon, 7, 48-49.
morinella, Arenaria.interpres, 40-41.
motacilla, Seiurus, 100.
Mozambique, 5, 7, 10, 11, 117—120.-
Mucaro, 7, 10, 67-69.

de melon, 67.

de sabana, 67.

real, 67.
Mud hen, 84-35.
mustelina, Hylocichla, 94.
Myiarchus antillarum, T, 10, 81-82.
mystacea, Geotrygon, 49.

N.

nevius, Nycticorax nycticorax, 21.
Nephecetes n. jamaicensis, 74-75.
nesiotes, Coccyzus minor, 7, 10, 11, 57-58.
Nesospingus speculiferus, 7, 120-121.
Nighthawk, Cuban, 69-70.
nwalis, Chen hyperboreus, 30.
Noddy, 46.
Nomonyx dominicus, 28.
notabilis, Seiurus noveboracensis, 100.
noveboracensis, Seiurus noveboracensis, 99—

100.
nudipes, Gymnasio nudipes, T,10,11, 67-69.
Numenius borealis, 41.

hudsonicus, 41.

Numida meleagris, 14, 34.
Nyctanassa violacea, 20.
Nycticorar n. nevius, 21.

oO.

occidentalis, Ardea, 26.

Pelecanus, 18.
Ochthodromus w. rufinuchus, 38.
olivacea, Vireosylva, 96.
omissa, Tiaris bicolor, 5, 7, 125-126.
Orange leaf-weevil, Bird enemies of, 10.
Oriole, Porto Rican, 7, 115-117.

orpheus, Mimus polyglottos, 5, 7, 10, 90-92.
oryeivorus, Dolichonyz, 113.
Osprey, 34.
Ostrero, 38.
Oven-bird, 101,
Owl, Bare-legged, 67-69.
Barn, 15.
Porto Rican short-eared, 67.
Oxzyechus v. rubidus, 7, 10, 39-40.
Oyster-catcher, 38.

P.

Pajaro bobo, 7, 10, 11, 18-19, 19, 56, 56—
57, 57-58, 58-59.

bobo de costa, 56—57.

bobo major, 7, 58-59.

bobo menor, 57-58.

de agua, 58-59.
palliatus, Tematopus, 38.
palmarum, Dendroica palmarum, 101.
Paloma, 54.

cabeziblanca, 53,

sabanera, 55.

turea, 7, 538—54.
Palomita, 45-46, 47-48.
Pandion h. carolinensis, 34.
Papagayo, 64-66.
paradisea, Sterna, 47.
Paroquet, Santo Domingo, 55,
Parrot, Porto Rican, 6, 55-56.
Patiamarillo, 42—43.
Pato chorizo, 28.

eriollo, 29.

cuchareta, 29-30.

de Florida, 29.

de la Florida, 30.

de la orilla, 29.

del medio, 28, 28-29.

dominica, 28.

ingles, 29-30.

lablanco, 30.

moriseo, 28-29.

pescuezilargo, 29.

pinto, 28.

silvestre, 28, 28-29, 29.
Pecho de oro, 7, 107—108.
Pelecanus occidentalis, 18.
Pelican, Brown, 18.
Perdiz, 7, 48-49, 49.

de monte, 48-49.

martiniquena, 49.
Periquito, 55.
perlata, Tyto, 15.
Petchary, Porto Rican, 78—80.
Petrochelidon f. pecitoma, 5, 7, 85—8T.
Pewee, Porto Rican wood, 83-84.
Phaéthon ethereus, 18.

americanus, 18.
Pheenicopterus ruber, 27-28.
Physiography of Porto Rico, 3-4.
Pica tierra, 99.
Pigeon, 8.

Blue, 55.

Ring-tail, 54.

Sealed, 53-54,

White-crowned, 53.

138

Pintail, 29.
Bahama, 29.
piscator, Sula, 18—19.
Pisobia fuscicollis, 44.
maculata, 44.
minutilla, 44.
Piticre, 5, 7; 10, 14; (18, 13:
de mangle, 66-67.
Pizpita chica, 99—100, 100.
de mangle, 98-100, 100.
dorada, 5, 101.
platypterus, Buteo platypterus, 32.
Playante, 38, 39—40, 45.
Playero, 7, 10, 38, 39-40, 40, 41, 43.
turco, 40—41.
Pilegadis autumnalis, 27.
Plover. Black-bellied, 40.
Golden, 40.
Piping, 38.
Rufous-naped, 38.
Semipalmated, 38.
Upland, 42.
Pluvial, 40.
grande, 40.
sabanero, 59-40.
Poditymbus p. antillarum, 17.
paciloma, Petrochelidon fulva, 5, 7, 85-87.
Pecitloneita bahamensis, 29.
Polia de laguna, 36-37.
de manglar, 36-37.
de mangle, 36—37.
pertoricensis, Asio, 67.
Cereba, 5, T, 109-111.
Icterus, 7, 10, 14, 115—11T.
Lozigilla, 7. 10. 124-125.
Melanerpes, T, 62-64.
Mimocichla ardosiacea, 7,
Spindalis, 7, 121-123.
FPorzana carolina, 36.
jiaviventris, 36.
Progne dominicensis, 5, 88-89.
pusillus, Ereunetes, 43—44.
Putilla. 10, 41-42, 42. 45, 43-44, 44.
diminnta, #45—4+.
manchada, 41-42.
menuda, 44.
Dinia, 44.
turea, 40-41.

BULLETIN 326, U. S.

10, 92-93.

Q.

Quail, 14.

Cuban, 34.
Quail-dove, 7.

Key West, 49.

Ruddy, 4849.

Temminck’s, 49.
Queregusiec, 69-70.
Guerquedula discors,

R.

Rabihorcado, 19—20.

Rabijunco, 18, 19-20.

Rail, Biack, 36.
Caribbean clapper, 36—37.
Carolina, 36.
Yellow-bellied. 36.

Railus l. caribéus, 36-37.

30.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Redstart, American, 98—99.
Reina, 109-111.
mora, 7, 121-123.

Reinita, 5, T, 98-99, 101, 102,
104, 104-105, 105,
108, 109-111.

Reinona, 121-123.

Riparia r. riparia, 85.

Rola, 485i, 31.

Rolita, 5, T, 49-51, 51.

ruber, Phenicopterus, 27-28.

102-104,
105-106, 107—108,

| rubidus, Oryechus vocijerus, T, 10, 39-40.

ss it tt OCC ELA OLE

rujicollis, Hydranassa tricolor, 24—25.
rujnuchus, Ochthodromus wilsonius, 38.
Ruisefor, 5, 7, 10, 90-92.

pequeno, 84-85. _
ruticilia, Setophaga, T, 98-99.

Ss.

Sanderling. 43.

Sandpiper, Least. 44.
Pectoral, 44.
Semipalmaited, 43-44.
Solitary, 42.

Spotted. 41-42.

Stilt, 44.

Whiterumped, 44.
Sanjuanera. 51-52.

San Pedrito. 7. 64-66.

Saramagullon, 17, 17-18.

Sarapico manchado, 44.
peauenho. 44.
zancudo, 44.

Saurothera vieilioti, T, 58-59.

Scapteriscus didectylus, Bird

9-10.

sclateri, Tanagre, T, 123—124.

Seiurus aurocepillus, 5, 101.
motacilla, 100.

a. notabilis, 100.

n. noveboracensis, 99-100.
semipalmata, 7gialitis, 38.
semipalmaius, Catoptrophorus semipalma-

tus, 42.

Sericotes h. holosericeus, T1—72.

Setophaga ruticilia, T, 98—99.

Shorebirds. 6.

Shoveler. 29-30.

Sinsonte, 9@-92.

Siskin, Red, 129.

Snipe. Wilson’s, 4445.

Solitario, 42.

solitarius, Helodromas solitarius, 42.

Sora, 36.

Sparrow.

127-129.

Spatula clypeata, 29-30.

Species, Annotated list of, 17—129.

speculiferus, Nesospingus, T, 120—121.

spengleri, Diaprepes, Bird enemies oi, i0.

Spermestes cuculfata, T, 14, 111-112.

Spindalis, Porto Rican, 7, 8, 121—1253.

Spindalis portoricensis, T, 121-123.

spinosa, Jacana, 38.

Spinus cucullatus, 129.

squamosa, Columba, 7, 353-54.

enemies of,

Santo Domingan grasshopper,

INDEX. | 139

Squatarola squatarola, 40. U.

Sterna anetheta, 46.
antillarum, 47. usneew, Compsothlypis americana, 7, 107-
dougalli, 47. 108.

fuscata, 46-47.
hirundo, 47-48.
maatimna, 48.
paradisea, 47.
s. acuflavida, 48.
Stilt, Black-necked, 45.
stolidus, Anoiis stolidus, 46.
striata, Dendroica, 102.
Sugar-cane root-borer, Bird enemies of, 10.
Sula leucogastra, 19.
piscator, 18-19.
surinamensis, Hydrochelidon nigra, 46.
Swallow, Bank, 85.

V.

varia, Mniotilta, 7, 108.
venator, Accipiter striatus, 33-34.
Vencejo, 74-75.
Verdadon, 64-66.

de especulo, 120-121.
Verdoso, 7, 120-121.
Veterano, 5, 112.
vieilloti, Saurothera, T, 58-59.
Viequera, 53.
violacea, Nyctanassa, 20.
Vireo, Jamaican, 97-98.

Barn, 85 : Q
A Latimer’s, 95—96.

Jamaican cliff, 85-87. )

Tree, 85. Red-eyed, 96.

Vireo latimeri, 7, 10, 95-96.

Swaitt, Jamaican black, (4-75. Vireosylva c. calidris, T; 10, 97-98.

T. olivacea, 96.
Tanager, Porto Rican, 120-121. virescens, Butorides virescens, 21.
Tanagra sclateri, 7, 123-124. viridis, Anthracothorag, 7, 72-73.
taylori, T'olmarchus, 7, 10, 11, 78-80. vittata, Amazona, 55—56.
Teal, Blue-winged, 30. Viuda, 45.
Tern, Arctic, 47. vociferus, Antrostomus vociferus, 69.
Black, 46. Aramus, 37-88.
Bridled, 46. Vulture, Turkey, 14, 30-31.
Cabot’s 48.
Common, 47-48. Ww.
Least, 47.
Roseate, 47. Warbler, Adelaide’s, 102-104.
Royal, 48. Black and white, 108.
Sooty, 46-47. Black-poll, 102.
Thrasher, Pearly-eyed, 9, 89-90. Black-throated blue, 104-105.
Thrush, Porto Rican, 92-93. Cape May, 105.
Wood, 94. Magnolia, 105.
Tiaris 6. omissa, 5, 7, 125-126. Myrtle, 104.
o. bryanti, 5, 7, 126-127. Northern parula, 107-108.
tigrina, Dendroica, 105. Balms Ot.
Tigua, 17-18. Porto Rican yellow, 105-106.
Tijerilla, 19-20. Prairie, 102.
Tody, Porto Rican, 64-66. Sycamore, 104.
Todus mexicanus, 7, 64-66. Water-thrush, 99-100.
Tolmarchus taylori, 7, 10, 11, 78-80. Grinnell’s; 100.
Tomate, 121-123. Louisiana, 100.
Toreaza, 53. Weevil stalk-borer, 10-11.
Tordo, 94, 120. Whip-poor-will, 69.
Tortola, 5, 7, 51-52, 52-53. Willet, 42.
Tortolita, 49-51. Woodpecker, Porto Rican, 6, 62-64.
Totanus flavipes, 42-48.
melanoleucus, 43. X.

Trepadora, 108.
trochila, Chemepelia passerina, 5, 7, 49-51. | wanthomus, Agelaius, 5, T, 10, 11, 113-115.
Tropic bird, Red-billed, 18. :

Yellow-billed, 18. Y.
Troupial, South American, 14, 116-117.
Truche, 89-90. Yaboa, 20,221 27.
Trupial, 116-117. nealseZOs; 2s
Turkey vulture. See Vulture. Yagareta, 84-35, 35-36.
Turnstone, Ruddy, 40. Yaguaza, 30.
Tyrannus d. dominicensis, 5, 7, 10, 11, 75— | Yegtiete, 45.

78. Yellow-legs, Greater, 43.
tyrannus, 78. Lesser, 42—43.

Tyto perlata, 15. Yellow-throat, Northern, 99.

140 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Zorzal, 7, 10, 89-90, 92-93.

Z. azul, 92-93.
de los palmares, 89-90.

Zancudo, 45. de patas coloradas, 92-93.
Zaramago, 17. negro, 10, 89-90.
Zaramagullon, 17, 17-18. pardo, 89-90.
Zarapico blanquinegro, 43. Zumbador, 5, 7, 70, 70-71, 71-72, T2-73,

gracioso, 43-44. 73-74.

mosqueado, 41—42. dorado, 73-74.

solitario, 42. verde, 7, 72-73.
Zenaida z, lucida, 5, T, 51-52. Zumbadorcito, 7, TO0-T1.
Zenaidura m, macroura, 52-53. Zumzum, 70-71, 73-74.

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