362 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



(Linne) and Alsophis leucomelas (Dumeril & Bibron) formerly occur- 

 ring on the island are now both extinct, but a species of Couleuvre 

 (Alsophis sanctorum Barbour) closely related to the latter is peculiar 

 to Les Saintes and is still found abundantly because the Mon- 

 goose has not been introduced into these islands. The Grenouille 

 (EleutJierodactylus martimccnsis Tschudi) and the introduced Crapaud 

 {Bujo marinus Linne) are locally numerous on Guadeloupe. As in 

 other Lesser Antilles the fresh-water fishes are few. The number of 

 species of resident birds is noteworthy because the list is so short. 

 Migrants are also few but deserve special mention. 



Present Status of Bird Life. 



There are thi^ee classes of birds which are not fully considered under 

 the annotated list and which I shall discuss here: (1) extinct species, 

 (2) probable resident birds, mostl3^ water-birds, not collected during 

 the trip, and (3) migratory species. 



The parrots (Ara guadehupensis, Aiiodorhynchiis purpurascens, Ama- 

 zona violaccus, and Connrus labati) were the earliest Guadeloupe land- 

 birds to be completely exterminated. The old French accounts show 

 that the natives killed them in numbers, but even so it is hardly pos- 

 sible that their annihilation was due wholly to human agency. Fidica 

 caribaea, and Ralhis crepitans have probably been extirpated by the 

 Mongoose, at least they have not been taken by the native chasseurs 

 for a long time. I saw at Cluny, on several occasions, a Mongoose 

 far out in the middle of the swamp jumping from log to log in its eager 

 hunting. The Diablotins, or Black-capped Petrels, have been extir- 

 pated from Guadeloupe, probably tlii'ough several causes. 



There are several birds not noted during my stay which may nest 

 on Guadeloupe. The Black Hawk (Urubitinga anthracina) and the 

 Chicken Hawk (Buteo antillarum) have both been observed by Pointe 

 a Pitre sportsmen but it is doubtful if either of these were more than 

 stragglers. I was informed that the Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) 

 occurred throughout the year but my own observations did not 

 confirm this rather improbable statement. If the fishermen may be 

 relied upon, the following sea-birds breed on the outlying islets of Les 

 Saintes and Tete Anglais : — Phaethon acthercus, Sida leucogastra, 

 Sula piscator, Sterna maxima, and Anous stolid us. The Yellow- 

 crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) breeds regularly just east 

 of Ste. Rose. 



