172 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Measurements of the skull. 



Centimeters. 



Total length 4.7 



Greatest width 2.9 



Length of nasals 1.2 



Length of tooth-rovr 1.1 



Front edge of first molar to posterior mR,rgin of incisors 1. G 



Greatest width of muzzle 7 



Width of iaterorbital bridge 5 



Center of occipital crest to line of hinder margin of orbits 1.9 



It is evident from an examination of Neo fiber that the genus stands 

 intermediate between the aberrant Fiber and the normal arvicoline 

 genera. The skull, the large head, and peculiar ears, and the heavy 

 form show its affinity to Fiber, while the feet and tail prove its close 

 relationshij) to the other arvicolas. 



It will be interesting to know how far the habits of this animal re- 

 semble those of the ordinary muskrat. 



ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS MADE BY MESSRS. J. E. BENEDICT 

 AND W. NYE, OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 

 STEAMER "ALBATROSS." 



By ROBERT RIDOWAY. 



A collection of birds made by Messrs. J. E. Benedict and W. IS^ye, 

 naturalists accompanying the steamer "Albatross" on her winter's 

 cruise through West Indian waters and along the southern coast of the 

 Caribbean Sea, although not extensive, is of much interest. This is 

 especially true of those collected on the island of Old Providence, 250 

 miles north of Aspiuwall, all the species from that localitj" being new to 

 science. 



The species collected at the different stations are given under sepa 

 rate headings : 



I. — Island of St. Thomas, West Indies (January 17-24, 1884). 



1. Minius gilvus, Vieill. One specimen. 



2. Dendroica petechia (Linn.). One specimen. 



3. Certhiola portoricenses, Bryant. Six si^ecimens. 



4. Phonipara zena (Linn.). Eleven specimens. 



5. Icterus vulgaris, Daud. One specimen. 



6. Tyraiiuus dominicensis (Gm.). Seven specimens. 



7. Crotophaga ani, Linn. Three specimens. 



8. Coccyzus minor (Gmel.). Three siiecimens. 



9. Tiununculus caribaearum (Gm.). One si)ecimen. 

 10. Chamaepelia passerina (Linn.). Nine specimens. 



