ANNOTATED LIST OF BIRDS COLLECTED, 



1. Turdus aliciae, Baird. Single specimens were noted on 

 three occasions; twice high up in the mountains above Aguacate on 

 the 22d and 25th of February and one at San Domingo City, , on 

 the coast, May i. All were males and extremely fat. 



2. Mimocichla ardesiaca (Vieill.*). RUISENOR DE CIERRA ; 

 CANELO Found everywhere on the coast and high up in the 

 interior. Not at all uncommon, but always and every-where 

 found it was very shy and difficult to approach. In freshly killed 

 specimens the eye is red-brown, eyelids, bill, feet and legs light 

 Indian Red, tip of bill and claws dusky. Thirty-five specimens were 

 secured. The song is quite similar to that of Merula migratorius and 

 in almost every action recalls to one's mind the American Robin. 



3. Myadestes montanus ? Cory. JILGUERO This species 

 is evidently nowhere common, and is only found high up in the 

 mountains. It is very shy and retiring in its habits. The natives 

 are almost all acquainted with the song; but if my memory serves 

 me rightly I did not meet with one who was sure he had ever 

 seen the bird. It is held in superstitious fear by many, who believe 

 that to see this ''spirit of the wood" were surely the forerunner of 

 some great calamity, or death itself. Everyone was much surprised 

 that I could shoot the bird, they believing it could not be killed. 

 Where or how such strange beliefs could have originated I have no 

 idea, because as a singer the Jilguero, to me, stands without an equal. 

 Sweeter music I never listened to. It has an indescribable charm 

 notes so liquid clear as a bell, and drawn out with such a cadence 

 of melody. For a moment the sound seems to come from this way 

 and then from that, and ever the singer holds you spell-bound: Do 

 you seek the source of that wondrous voice, it ^s all in vain. There 

 is only the monotony of green leaves everywhere. There is no other 

 sound only the thrilling of every chord of the imagination by notes 

 so sweet they hold you enthralled. It is indeed a " spirit " of all 

 that is lovable, of all that is good. But I despair of writing any 

 description of a song so beautiful, or of the sensations or thoughts it 

 inspires. 9 



