G. E. Verrill — Fauna of the Island of Doinluica. 319 



The identification, as previously stated, Avas by Mr. J. A. Allen, 

 whose authority is too well known to admit of any doubt, even had 

 he not been aided by many of Mr. Ober's type-specimens. 



The list probably comprises very nearly all of the land birds, but 

 comparatively few of the aquatic species, as our time was too limited 

 to warrant spending it on these latter, which are, for the most part, 

 much more widely distributed and better known. 



It is a rather striking fact that nearly all of these islands have a 

 number of species of Passerine Birds peculiar to each, though I'epre- 

 sented in the adjacent ones by closely allied species. The entire' 

 absence of woodpeckers on this island, covered with trees, is another 

 peculiarity. In a few cases we have added species not previously 

 known in Dominica to the fauna of this island, and in several cases 

 have taken species seen, but not identified, by Mr. Ober. 



The vernacular 'names, given in this and the following lists, are 

 those used by the natives and are commonly in the French patois of 

 the island. When the native name was evidently derived from the 

 French, yet differs materially from it, I have given the patois pro- 

 nunciation, expressed as well as possible by English spelling, with 

 the original French word and English equivalent in parentheses. In 

 many cases it has been impossible to even guess at the original from 

 which the native word has come, and in other cases it has undoubt- 

 edly been derived from the Caribs, a number of whom still inhabit 

 the island ; but, as both the Patois and Carib languages are wholly 

 spoken ones, I have only been able to preserve the sound, as nearly 

 as possible, by phonetic spelling. The following abbreviations are 

 used : Fr. = French, Pat. = Patois, Ca. = Carib, Eng. = English. 



It is a rather peculiar fact that the natives know nearly all the 

 birds and distinguish even closely allied species by different names. 

 They also know and readily recognize them by their notes and are 

 generally able to identify the nests and eggs. 



The arrangement used is that adopted by the Amer. Ornith. Union. 



Order, I.ONG-IPENNES, 

 Famil}^, Larid^e. 

 1. Sterna fuliginosa Gmel. " Twar-oo " (Pat.). 



A number of terns, probably of this species, were seen at different 

 times flying about the harbor at Roseau. Several other species of 

 terns were also seen but not near enough to identify with any 

 certainty. No specimens of these, and many other marine birds 

 were obtained, owing to lack of time, as has been previously stated. 



