1886.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 627 



51. Nyctiorax violaceus (Liuu.). Crabier. Night Heron. 



9 Length, 22 J inches; expanse, 37^ inches ; wing, 12 inches. 



Found in the mangrove swamps and about the mouths of rivers. Is 

 rather shy, seeking its food after dusk along the sea-shore, where it preys 

 on the sand-crabs and small fry. Travelers along the road from Pearls 

 to Conference beach at night are often startled by the loud " quok" of 

 these birds as they rise from the ground. They sometimes build in the 

 mangroves, but generally resort to the rocky islets during the nesting 

 period, in April and May. Hope Island and Labaye Rock are favorite 

 breeding places. There they build in the prickly-pear bushes a large 

 platform of dry sticks, on which is laid three eggs (sometimes two) of 

 auniform bluish green, measuring 2.10 inches by 1.48 inches ; 2.12 inches 

 by 1.50 inches, and 2.16 inches by 1.48 inches. 



Family PLATALEID^. 



52. Ajaja rosea (Linn.). Roseate Spoonbill. 



[Mr. Wells remarks of this species : '' Never seen or heard of by me." 

 Mr. Ober gives it in his catalogue of the Birds of Grenada; he did not 

 observe it, but says : "A very rare migrant, said to have been seen 

 here." 



I have thought best to include it, as it is the only species enumerated 

 by Mr. Ober, not obtained by Mr. Wells.— G. N. L.] 



Family OHARADRIID^. 



53. Charadrius dominicus Miill. American Golden Plover. 



9 Length, 10 inches; expanse, 23 inches; wing, 7J inches. 

 Migrant; arrive in large flocks early in September; frequent the open 

 l)astures; afford fine sport until November. 



54. Charadrius sqnatarola (Linn.). Grey Plover. 



$ Length, 11^ inches ; expanse, 23A^ inches; wing, 7^ inches. 

 Migrant; arrives in September and October; not numerous; rather 

 shy. 



55. .Sigialitis semipalmata Bonap. Ring-neck Plover. 



5 Length, 7^ inches; expanse, 14f inches; wing, 5 inches. 

 Migrant; arrives in August and September; frequents the sand- 

 beach ; abundant. 



56. Oxyechus vociferus (Linn.). Killdeer. 



3 Eare migrant ; 9^ inches by 20 inches by 6| inches. 



Family STREPSILID^. 



57. Strepsilas inteTpres (Linn.). Turnstone. 



9 Length, 9 inches; expanse, 18^- inches; wing, 6 inches. . 



Several arrive along with the plovers; frequents the sea shore and 

 mouths of streams ; often found among the drift-wood and debris cast up 

 by the sea. 



