peters: birds of the Dominican republic. 41 {> 



ties visited, although widely distributed. One was seen with Cliff 

 Swallows at Monte Cristi, February 22. A few noted about the fort 

 at Puerto Plata, February 26. They also occurred at Sosua, Rio San 

 Juan, and Abreo. 



Oviedo (Book XIV, Chap. II) says of the Caribl)ean ISIartin "... 

 the song of the swallows of these parts is fainter and not like that of 

 our Spanish bird, nor do they breed so familiarly about the houses 

 here, possibly because as yet there are few houses of stone in the island. 

 For in very truth they have already commenced to nest in the cathe- 

 dral of this city [Santo Domingo] and in the monastery of the Domini- 

 can friars in this city." 



74. Setophag.a. ruticilla (Linne). 



Three specimens, both sexes, Sosiia, Rio San Juan. 



Although most collectors have found Redstarts to be common on 

 the island, on the north coast they are quite the reverse. I failed to 

 find one until March 5, when I shot an adult male at the Rio San 

 Juan. They were uncommon at Sosua from March 15 onwards; the 

 last one seen was a female killed there on April 4. 



75. Geothlypis tricil^s brachidactyla (Swainson). 



Five specimens, both sexes, Sosua. 



During the winter Northern Yellow-throats are not found very 

 commonly an\"vvhere along the north coast of the Dominican Republic. 

 They were uncommon at Monte Cristi from February 5 to 23; seen 

 only once (March 2, a female taken) between February 25 and March 

 3 at Sosua, not noted at all while travelling through the northeastern 

 portion of the island March 3 to 14, but becoming commoner at Sosua 

 after March 15 and very common after x-Vpril 1. The last specimen 

 was taken April 8, though there was no sign of diminution in numbers 

 on April 10, the day before my departure. 



All five specimens appear to be typical C. t. brachidactyla. 



V' 



76. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Ridgway). 



A' female, Monte Cristi. 



Water-thrushes were rather uncommon. They were generally 

 confined to the mangrove swamps where they are extremely difficult 



