USVI Public Records

Document text

138 Messrs. A. and E. Newton’s Observations Subfam. Psittaculin^e. 247. Pionus senilis (Spix). Transmitted by Mr. Skinner. 248. Chrysotis auripalliatus (Less.) : Amazona auropal- liatus, Less. Descr. Mamm. et Ois. p. 198: Psittacus flavinu- chus, Gould, Zool. Yoy. Sulphur, p. 45, pi. 27. This Parrot is common in the Pacific coast-region of Gua¬ temala. 249. Chrysotis albifrons (Sparm.); Souance, Icon, des Perr. pi. 30 ; P. Z. S. 1858, p. 35. 250. Chrysotis-? A young bird in Sclater’s collection, from Omoa (Leyland), is difficult to determine, but not improbably belongs to an unde¬ scribed species. There are considerable additions to be made to the present list of Central American Parrots. EXPLANATION OF PLATE V, Fig. I. Egg of Tanagra vicarius (p. 16). Fig. 2. Egg of Pyrgisoma biarcuatum (p. 18). Fig. 3. Egg of Pitangus derbianus (p. 120). Fig. 4. Egg of Tyrannus melancholicus (p. 121). Fig. 5. Egg of Myiozetetes texensis (p. 123). Fig. 6. Egg of Cyanocitta melanocyanea (p. 21). Fig. 7- Egg of Turdus grayii (p. 5). [To be continued.] XIII.— Observations on the Birds of St. Croix, West Indies, made, between February 20th and August Qth 1857 by Alfred Newton, and, between March Mh and September 28th 1858 by Edward Newton. (Part II.) [Continued from p. 69.] 18. Grass-green-breasted Humming Bird. Eulampis chlorolcemus, Gould, Monogr. Troch. pt. xiv. “ Doctor Bird.” This is the only species of this wonderful group of little birds that is at all common in St. Croix. Wilson, Audubon, Mr. 139 on the Birds of St. Croix. Gosse, and several others gifted with the “ pen of a ready writer " have so fully described, as far as words will admit, the habits of different members of the family Trochilidce, that it is unnecessary to say much on this score. Their appearance is so entirely unlike that of any other birds, that it is hopeless to attempt in any way to bring* a just conception of it to the ideas of those who have not crossed the Atlantic; and even the comparison so often made between them and the Sphingidre, though doubtless in the main true, is much to the advantage of the latter. One is admiring the clustering stars of a Scarlet Cordia, the snowy cornucopias of a Portlandia, or some other brilliant and beautiful flower, when between the blossom and one's eye suddenly appears a small dark object, suspended as it were between four short black threads meeting each other in a cross. For an instant it shows in front of the flower; an instant more, it steadies itself, and one perceives the space be¬ tween each pair of threads occupied by a grey film; again another instant, and emitting a momentary flash of emerald and sapphire light it is vanishing, lessening in the distance, as it shoots away, to a speck that the eye cannot take note of,—and all this so rapidly that the word on one's lips is still unspoken, scarcely the thought in one's mind changed. It was a bold man or an ignorant one who first ventured to depict Humming Birds fly¬ ing ; but it cannot be denied that representations of them in that attitude are often of special use to the ornithologist. The pecu¬ liar action of this, and probably many or all other species of the family, is such, that at times, in flying, it makes the wings almost meet both in front and behind at each vibration. Thus, when a bird chances to enter a room, it will generally go buzzing along the cornice : standing beneath where it is, one will find that the axis of the body is vertical, and each wing is describing a nearly perfect semicircle. As might be expected, the pectoral muscles are very large, indeed the sternum of this bird is a good deal bigger than that of the common Chimney Swallow (Hirundo rustica, L.). But the extraordinary rapidity with which the vibrations are effected seems to be chiefly caused by these powerful muscles acting on the very short wing-bones, which are not half the length of the same parts in 140 Messrs. A. and E. Newton's Observations the Swallow; and accordingly great as this alar action is, and in spite of the contrary opinion entertained by Mr. Gosse (Nat. Sojourn in Jamaica, 240), it is yet sometimes wanting in power, owing doubtless to the disadvantageous leverage thus obtained; and the old authors must be credited, who speak of cobwebs catching Humming Birds. “On the 3rd of May, 1857, a bird of this species flew into the room where I was sitting, and, after fluttering for some minutes against the ceiling, came in contact with a deserted spider's web, in which it got entangled and remained suspended and perfectly helpless for more than a minute, when by a violent effort it freed itself. I soon after caught it, still having fragments of the web on its head, neck, and wings; and I feel pretty sure that, had this web been inhabited and in good re¬ pair instead of being deserted and dilapidated, the bird would never have escaped*."—A. N. “ This bird breeds from the end of March to the end of June. It is an easy matter to find its nest; for on approaching within ten or a dozen yards of where it is, the bird, if it is on, is sure to fly at you, and then retreating remains suspended a few seconds just above your head, when it darts off and perches on some dead twig, most likely on the very tree which holds its nest. It does not st^y here long, but takes short flights into the air, returning to the same place, and, when there, showing its impatience by a continual flirting or, rather, twitching of its wings. If you then retire, keeping your eye on the bird, it will presently dart straight on to its nest, leaving it, however, at the least movement on your part. This species is not particular as to the tree on which it builds, as I have found nests on the Silk-cotton, Mango, Manchioneel and Avocado-pear (Laurus persea,\i.). They are placed on a horizontal branch, from half an inch to two inches thick, and are composed of cotton or the * In the ‘ Zoologist ’ for 1858 (p. 5922) is a note from Mr. J. M. Jones, in which that gentleman says that the Vireo noveboracensis is sometimes captured in the net of the large spider (Epeira clavipes) which is found in the Bermudas; and in his recent work, ‘The Naturalist in Bermuda’ (p. 126), he again repeats the statement, adding, however, that it is only the young of that species which has been known to be thus entangled. 141 on the Birds of St. Croix. down of a species of Cactus, studded on the outside with white Lichen or shreds of bark, the whole structure measuring nearly two inches across, and built at the height of from about five to fifteen feet from the ground, sometimes concealed by leaves, at others on an almost naked bough. The eggs are two in number, white, and about 0 55 inch long, by 0*4 inch in trans¬ verse diameter."—E. N. This bird is as common in St. Thomas as in St. Croix. Dr. Lund, writing from St. John's, says it is also found in that island. The females are very much smaller than the males. t 9. Gilt-crested Humming Bird. Orthorhynchus exilis (Gmel.) : Gould, Mon. Troch. pt. xiii. After a careful examination of skins procured from St. Croix and St. Thomas, we refer them to the above-named species, though one of a male presents a slightly different appearance from the ordinary type, in having a narrow blue edging to the otherwise golden green crest, and thus exhibiting an affinity to the closely allied Blue-crest (0. cristatus, L.) from St. Vincent's and Barbadoes. The present bird has, we believe, hitherto been known only from Martinique and Nevis. “ I shot a female of this species at Southgate Farm, June 8th, 1858; and I only saw two other examples,—one at the same place, and the second at Salt River, when accompanied by Mr. Osbert Salvin, during that gentleman's short visit to St. Croix. South- gate Farm is an estate on the north shore of the eastern end of the island, and, much of the land adjacent being out of cultiva¬ tion, is chiefly covered with Casha bushes, interspersed with Manchioneel along the coast. This is also the case in the neigh¬ bourhood of Salt River. I have been told that a Humming Bird, smaller than the ordinary one, and therefore probably of this species, has been seen in other localities; but it must be very uncommon. Of its habits I know nothing."—E. N. We beg to acknowledge here the assistance we have received from Mr. Gould in determining this and the species last men¬ tioned. t 10. Pearly-eyed Thrush, Cichlherminia fuscata, Bp. 142 Messrs. A. and E. Newton's Observations Tardus fuscatus, Yieill., Ois. de 1'Amer. Sept. ii. pi. 57 bis. “ Thrush.” Common in parts of the island overgrown with bush, espe¬ cially on the hill-sides, and probably resident. The cock has a loud, clear, Meruline whistle, and seems as if he ought to sing, but does not. The nest is generally built in the Guava bushes (Psidium pomiferum, Linn.), and is a very neat piece of work, greatly resembling that of our Jay (Garrulus glandarius, Yieill.), excepting, of course, in size. The eggs, four to six in number, are of a fine spotless blue-green, deeper in colour, as they are larger, than those of the American Robin (Tardus migratorius, Linn.). The iris of this bird is of an opaque, pearly white. It appears to feed chiefly on fruits and berries, especially Guavas and Mangoes. The sexes do not differ materially; but the bills of individuals vary greatly in size. The moult takes place as early as the end of July, and continues to the end of September. This species is as common in St. Thomas as in St. Croix. It breeds from the end of May to the end of July. Mr. G. It. Gray informs us that Mr. Gould's Colluricincla fusca (P. Z. S. 1836, p. 6) is this bird, as shown by the type now in the British Museum, where we have also placed examples of our own bird from St. Croix. 11. Golden-crowned Water-Thrush. Siurus aurocapillus, Sw. Turdus aurocapillus, Wils. ii. pi. 14, fig. 2 ; Aud. ph 143. u Water-Wagtail." Apparently only a winter visitant, departing in April, and not common. The action of this bird is very singular, though probably that of all the members of the genus. It walks leisurely about, with its tail elevated perpendicularly, giving it a slight jerk at each step. 12. New York Water-Thrush. Siurus noveboracensis, Nutt. Turdus aquaticus, Wils. pi. 22. fig. 5 ; Aud. pi. 433. Seiurus aquaticus, Rich, and Sw., Eaun. B. Am. pi. 43. Is tolerably common by the side of quick-running streams, and occasionally seen away from them. It is most often ob¬ served sitting on a stone in the midst of the water, slowly jerk¬ ing its tail in the manner of a Dipper {Hydrobata, Yieill.; 143 on the Birds of St. Croix* Cinclus, Bechst.), and uttering its short quick note, which resembles the sound made by striking two flints sharply to¬ gether. 13. Black-and-White Creeper. Mniotilta varia, Vieill.; Aud. pi. 90. Certhia maculata, Wils. pi, 19. fig. 3. “Tree Creeper.” Apparently only a winter visitant, leaving the island at the end of March; almost a thorough Creeper in habits. 14. Parti-coloured Warbler. Parula americana, Bp.: Sylvia pusilla, Wilson, pi. 28. fig. 3. Sylvia americana} Aud, pi. 15. Like the last-mentioned species, apparently only a winter visitant, but later in the time of its moving northwards. “ I saw one on May 6th, 1858; but most of them had de¬ parted about the middle of March.”—E. N. 115. Yellow Warbler. Dendrceca (estiva (GmeL), Baird. Sylvia citrinella, Wils. pi. 15. fig. 5; S. (estiva, Aud. pi. 95. “ Wild Canary ;” “ Mule Bird;” “ Cage Bird.” Common everywhere, and apparently resident. From its colour, and probably from its song (for it is almost the only bird in the island that can be said to sing), it has received the names by which it is known to the inhabitants. This species seems to be more abundant at the sides of the lagoons than anywhere else; there examples may always be seen, hopping- on the outside branches of the Mangroves, both in habit and song much resembling our English Willow Wren [Phyllopneuste trochilus, Brehm). Specimens procured agree in all respects with those of the common summer visitant to the United States. “ They build generally in a low shrub, at not more than six feet from the ground, though I once found a nest in a Man¬ grove at fully ten feet. The nest is composed of coarse bents, sometimes mixed with the flower of a large reed, and woven with cotton- or sheep’s wool. The eggs seem to be always three, a number to which West Indian birds appear to be particularly partial.”—E. N. 144 Messrs. A. and E. Newton's Observations f 16. Prairie Warbler. Dendrceca discolor (Vieill.), Baird; Sylvia minuta, Wils. pi. 25. fig. 4. S. discolor, Aud. pi. 14. Leaves the island for a few months in summer, but is rather common during the time it is resident. “ I observed this bird last on March 27th, and saw it again Sept. 10th."—E. N. 17. Cape-May Warbler. Dendrceca tigrina (Gm.), Baird; Sylvia maritima, Wils. pi. 54. fig. 3 ; Aud. pi. 414 ; d'Orb. Voy. de Pile de Cuba, Ois. pi. 10. Certhiola maritima, Gosse, Ill. B. Jam. pi. 17. Not at all common ; only a winter visitant, and leaving earlier than any other of the migrants observed by us, having, it would appear, a longer journey than most of them to perform. “ I am compelled to differ from Mr. Gosse (B. Jam. p. 87) in the decision he has arrived at about this bird being a Cer¬ thiola. When I first arrived in St. Croix I had the opportunity of observing its manners for several days ; and they were alto¬ gether those of a Dendrceca. I further took particular care, not only to examine while fresh, but also to preserve, the tongue of a male which I shot on March 19th, 1857. This is now be¬ fore me; and I am able to compare it with the tongues of Cer¬ thiola, Mniotilta, and Dendrceca cestiva. That of Certhiola is, besides being penicillate, deeply bifid. Now there is nothing of this conformation in any of the others. Of these, it is true that D. tigrina has the most bushy pencil of hairs at the tip; but Mniotilta and Parula come very near it in this respect : and it is also true that D. cestiva differs from these three in having a horny point. If any deduction is to be drawn from the charac¬ ters of the tongue, D. tigrina must be (and very likely should be, on other grounds) removed from the genus Dendrceca, but certainly not placed in Certhiola.”—A. N. 18. Redstart Flycatcher. Setophaga ruticilla, Bp.; Mus- cicapa ruticilla, Linn.; Wils. pi. 6. fig. 6 ; Aud. pi. 40. “ Red¬ start." This beautiful species, having at first sight so much the ap¬ pearance of the European Redstart [Ruticilla phcenicura, Bp.), is very common in the spring of the year, and especially seen about on the Birds of St. Croix. 145 houses. For about one week at the end of April 1857, they were extremely numerous; but in 1858 the greater part of them left in March, though one was seen May 1st. A male, killed March 17th, 1858, in plumage almost resembled the female. In the same year it was first observed September 6th, on its return from its summer quarters. 19. Long-billed Greenlet. Vireosylvia altiloqua, VieilL Ois. de FAm. Sept. pi. 38. Vireo longirostris, Sw. Faun. Bor.- Am. ii. p. 237; Cassin, Ill. N. Am. Birds, i. pi. 37. Extremely local, though common in the southern part of the island, where it breeds; but whether it is resident all the year may be doubted. The clear whistle of this bird appears to have always been confounded by the inhabitants with that of the Cichlherminia fuscata, which it does somewhat resemble. Mr. Gosse remarks (B. Jam. p. 195) of the species, which he calls V. olivacea, that he can scarcely understand how its note can be written “ Whip-tom-kelly” as it has been by some American orni¬ thologists ; but it appears much more likely that his " Jolm-to- whit” is not the true V. olivacea, but the present bird, first figured byVieillot, and afterwards described as new by Mr. Swainson (locis citatis) : at least, the call-note of the St. Croix species would seem to resemble closely that of the Jamaica bird, whose habits Mr. Gosse so well describes. It is probable, too, that the true V. olivacea is also found in Jamaica in winter; and thus may be reconciled the otherwise conflicting statements of authors. "On June 5th, 1858, I watched a bird of this species to its nest in a Manchioneel, to the leafy part of a bough of which it was suspended. It is a beautiful structure, shaped like an in¬ verted cone, and composed outwardly of dried blades of grass, dead leaves, and wool, woven round the twigs, to which it was attached, with spiders' webs, lined inside with finer blades of grass, and about three inches and a half in diameter and five in height. The eggs, three in number, are white, with a few black spots of different sizes chiefly dispersed about the larger end. Both nest and eggs call to mind those of the Golden Oriole (Oriolus galbula, L.), which, except in size, they greatly re¬ semble."—E. N. 146 Messrs. A. and E. Newton’s Observations t 20. Grey Petchary. Tyrannus dominicensis, Bp. : Mus- cicapa dominicensis, L.; Aud. pL 170. “ Chieherywee,” “ Chich¬ eree.” The most conspicuous and common bird in the island, all over which it is found. Its favourite station is the top of the spear¬ like unexpanded frond of a tall Mountain-cabbage Tree, from which place it will, in the breeding season, dart down to attack almost any animal passing near, from a stray dog to an unhappy “ Gaulin” (Butorides virescens, Bp.). If the quarry be the latter, it will make several well-directed stoops, and never leave it until it has “ brought it in/’ as the falconers say, in a cane-piece or bush ; then, much pleased with its prowess, it returns to its look-out station, celebrating its victory with cries of triumph. On one occasion, in 1858, a Chicheree was seen to pursue a Gaulin out to sea for a quarter of a mile and back again. The pretty little Killie-killie (Tinnunculus sparverius, Vieill.) and the Black Witch (Crotophaga ani, L.) are equally with the Gaulin the objects of its hatred; and as all four species have fairly loud voices, the noise of these encounters is not inconsiderable. The Petchary in particular is very clamorous, even when there is no apparent need; but he takes alarm from the domestic poultry, and every morning before dawn, with his oft-repeated note, sounding like the cry of a frightened Chimney Swallow (Hirundo rustica, L.), and evidently onomatopoeic, is as much the herald of the coming day as Chanticleer himself: this noise he is as per¬ tinacious as a Guinea-fowl in continuing till sun-down. He has much the look of the Ash-coloured Shrike (Lanius excubitor, L.), his bold action and his style of colouring both contributing to the resemblance. We have never observed that on any occasion was the flame-coloured furrow on the head opened and displayed. In the nestling plumage it is altogether wanting; but with this exception, and that of the wing-coverts being edged with pale brown, the bird then resembles the adult. The Chicheree feeds on insects, catching them with great dexterity on the wing ; but he also indulges largely on the black berries of a myrtle¬ leaved parasite which grows plentifully on Orange-trees. The seeds of this pass uninjured through the bird’s intestines, and when dropped on favourable spots soon germinate,—the bird thus 147 on the Birds of St. Croicc. being his own planter, and ensuring a plentiful supply of his favourite food. The nest is often placed under the fronds, or among the spathes, of a Cocoa-nut or Mountain-cabbage tree; but sometimes in any ordinary situation, the end of a bough of a Manchioneel or Turpentine tree being chosen. It is flat in con¬ struction, and large for the size of the bird, being nearly a foot in diameter, composed of a platform of twigs, in the midst of which is hollowed a cup, lined with fine roots, and thus in archi¬ tectural style much resembling that of a Bullfinch (Pyrrhula vulgaris, Temm.). The eggs do not seem to exceed three in number, and equal in beauty the most splendid varieties of those of the Red-backed Shrike (Enneoctonus collurio} Boie); they are of a delicate creamy-white, marked at the larger end with blotches and spots of pink or orange-brown of different shades and sizes, and often disposed in a zone. The bird has eggs from the end of May till August. f 21. Black-faced Finch. Phonipara bicolor, Bp. Consp. Fringilla bicolor, Linn. Spermophila bicolor, Gosse, Ill. B. Jam. pi. 64; Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carol, pi. 37. “Cane,” “ Parson,” and <e Java Sparrow.” The Bunting-like song of this very common bird is heard almost as early in the morning as the cry of the Chicheree. It frequents the curing-houses, hopping on the uncovered sugar- hogsheads, and making a plentiful meal therefrom. It is sociable, and generally feeds in small flocks, mostly on the ground, among the Guinea-grass (Andropogon bicolor, Roxb.) which is grown as forage for horses. The crops of those we have dissected usually contained small seeds. It builds its domed nest in a low bush, thicket of Bamboo, or even in a creeper planted against a house : this is seldom more than four feet or so from the ground, and is composed entirely of dry grass, the interior being lined with a finer material of the same kind ; the opening at the side is large for the size of the nest. It breeds from the middle of May to the end of July. The eggs are white, spotted or blotched with dull red, especially at the larger end, and often very much re¬ semble those of the Certhiola, already described. With one exceptional nest of four, three was the number always found. 148 Messrs. A. and E. Newton’s Obsei'vations t 22. Ani. Crotophaga uni, L.; Buff. PL Enl. 102. “ Black Witch.” Very common, and, from its familiar habits and grotesque ap¬ pearance, universally known. Its manners have so often been described, that there remains little to be said of them. It lives in companies, and is delightfully noisy. It shares, as before men¬ tioned, with Tinnunculus sparverius and Butorides virescens, the privilege of being the favourite object of the attacks of the Chicheree [Tyrannus dominicensis, Bp.) ; and it is hard to say whether this bird or the one last mentioned affords most amuse¬ ment. If there is a fresh breeze, a flight after a Crotophaga is perhaps the best; for, with its long tail and short wings, it gets carried away helplessly. It loses its presence of mind, and tries perhaps to fly up wind, when “letting drive” would answer by far the best; down then comes the Tyrant, and, after one or two stoops, hits it such a blow as to send it anyhow into whatever shelter presents itself, whether an unpleasant-looking hedge of thorns, or a softer bed of Guinea-grass. In consequence of these encounters, it is, that the Ani’s plumage, and especially its tail, suffers very much; indeed, one can scarcely meet with a speci¬ men that has its final appendage at all in good order. There is an absurd notion prevalent in the island, that these birds are exempt from the common lot of creation, and that the name “ Black Witch ” has something to do with their supposed immor¬ tality; but it was more probably originally intended to express the bird’s ordinary call-note, which, as Mr. Hill rightly says (Gosse, B. Jam. p.289), sounds like the word “ que-yuch.” “On Junel8th, 1857,1 was shown a nest of this species. As I walked up to the tree (a pretty large Tamarind), I saw two birds sitting close to what I afterwards found to be the position of the nest, which was placed touching the trunk, supported by some young boughs that had apparently sprouted out within the last few years, and was about five feet from the ground. It was a rude collection of sticks and twigs, large and deep, but partly filled with dead leaves, among which I discovered fourteen eggs; and round the margin were stuck upright a few dead twigs of Tamarind. On the 23rd I again went to this nest, and took out two of the nine eggs I then found; but on the 26th there were 149 on the Birds of St. Croix. only four, the nest having- probably been robbed by boys from a Negro village close by. On July 2nd there were eight eggs ; but a few days afterwards the nest was entirely destroyed. I never found the eggs, as if intentionally covered up. The nest was evidently common property; there were generally two or three birds sitting close to or on it, and up in the tree perhaps four or five more, who would continue screeching all the time I was there. I found the yelks of the eggs just as described by Mr. Hill in Mr. Gosse^s ‘Birds of Jamaica / but on blowing them into a basin of water, they appeared to me to assume a spherical form. When the egg is fresh, the cretaceous deposit on the shell is very soft and easily scored; but it soon hardens considerably.”—A. N. 22. Yellow-billed American Cuckoo. Coccyzus ameri- canus, Bp. Cuculus carolinensis, Wils. iv. pi. 28. fig. 1 ; Aud. pi. 275 ; Gould, B. Eur. pi. 242 ; Yarr. B. B. ed. 2. vol. ii. p. 204. This occasional straggler to England seems to be confined, at least in the breeding-season, to one locality on the south side of St. Croix,—a level piece of land, overgrown with low bush, and interspersed with a few trees, mostly Manchioneels, through which runs a small stream bordered here and there by bits of swampy ground, which in dry weather are so many warrens of Land-crabs, and surrounded by a few Mangroves. Here its harsh guttural call may very often be heard. It is a tame and stupid-looking bird, but, contrary to the supposed habits of most of the family, appears to show much conjugal affection; for on one occasion a male being shot, and shrieking as it fell, a female instantly flew to the spot, and fluttered along the ground in the manner that an old hen Partridge or other bird would do to lead astray the pursuer of her young. “On June 2nd, 1858, I shot a female of this species, having an egg in her ovary, nearly ready for exclusion; it was quite soft, but had got its proper colour. In the gizzard of this bird were the remains of two large caterpillars, and a univalve shell. On the 29th of the same month, while riding in the locality above referred to, I saw the white terminal spots of a Cuckoo’s tail pro¬ jecting from a small nest on a Manchioneel that overhung the path. It was built in a very open situation; and the bird, as I vol. i. M 150 Mr. G. C. Taylors Account of a Visit rode underneath, was not more than a yard above my head. She sat with nearly all her neck and breast outside the nest, which was only just large enough to contain the eggs; and I could well identify her as of this species. She did not fly off until after I had tied up my pony hard by, and had almost touched her with my stick. There were three eggs, laid side by side in a row, along which, strange to say, the bird had been sitting. The nest was some distance from the stem of the tree, and placed loosely on the bough; it was a mere platform of small sticks laid one across another with a few finer twigs and a little grass as a lining : so slightly was it put together, that, on attempting to take it from the tree, it fell to pieces.”—-E. N. 23. Black-eared Cuckoo. Coccyzus seniculus, Gosse, B. of Jam. p. 281 (excl. synon.). Mr. Sclater informs us that this is identical with Mr. Gosse’s specimens from Jamaica; but whether they are truly the same as Latham* s seniculus, is at present questionable. “ I shot a female of this bird, March 23rd, 1858, at the place indicated as a locality for the species last mentioned. I am not certain that I ever saw it again. Whether this and che preceding are only summer visitors or not, I am unable to say : neither bird, prior to my visit, appeared to be known to the inhabitants.” —E.N. 24 [?]-(?) Woodpecker. Ficus-(?). “Woodpecker.” A bird answering to the description of a Woodpecker, and so called by our informants, seems to be found occasionally; but neither of us had the good fortune to meet with one; and the accounts were so very vague, as to preclude our giving any further indication of it than the present. [To be continued.] XIV.—Account of a Visit to a Nesting-place of the Frigate-bird (Eregata aquila, L.). From a letter of George Cavendish Taylor, Esq. On the 1st of January, 1858, we went off in a boat with four rowers to visit an island some four or five miles from Tigre