noble: the resident birds of Guadeloupe. 387 



road-sides. The bird is rather shy and upon approach it disappears 

 quickly into the nearest thicket. Its monotonous call has something 

 of the buzz of a locust and something of the call of the Sucrier in it. 



35. Saltator albicollis Vieillot. 

 Grive-Gros-Bec. 



Twelve specimens, adults and half-grown from Ste. Rose July 12th 

 to 16th; and from Goyave August 20th to September 4th. 



I never met with the Grive-Gros-Bec during my stay on the west 

 coast, but in the north and east of Guadeloupe I found that the bird 

 was not rare. It usually freciuents the small stands of hardwood on 

 the mountain slopes. In the rain forest or about the plantations it 

 was less often seen. 



This species is the "Grive" most frequently shot. It is ranked 

 as a game-bird in spite of its laborious movements. Its low chuckle, 

 its stealthy but nevertheless clumsy approach by hopping from twig 

 to twig and finally its loud whistle are all very characteristic. In 

 flight and general habits the Grive-Gros-Bec reminds one most of a 

 very young and awkward Pine Grosbeak (Pinicolor enucleator leucura). 



36. EuPHONiA FLAViFRONS FLAViFRONS (Sparrman). 

 Perrouche. Perrique de Matouba. 



Four adults, three females and one male, from the slopes of the 

 Soufriere near Matouba taken June 28th. 



The Mistletoe bird is confined to the steep and heavily wooded 

 slopes of the interior. It feeds in flocks on soft fruits and berries. 

 All four of the specimens taken had their crops stuffed with gelatinous 

 coated fruit-seeds. The plaintive whistle of the Perouche is often 

 heard in the deep, vine-covered gorges of the Soufriere but because of 

 the bird's small size and its retiring habits one rarely catches a glimpse 

 of this, the most beautiful of Guadeloupe birds. In fact the natives 

 believe that at certain seasons of the year when the wild fruit is ripe, 

 flocks of these tanagers fly over from Dominica. It seems more 

 likely, however, that they had previously overlooked the bird. 



