68 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Fam. LARID^. 



52. "Tern." 



" Not procured, but I think is Sterna stolida." 



53. Sterna antillarum (Less.). 

 "Teru. 



"Veiy few seen; principally about Scott's Head, the southernmost 

 point of the island. 



"Length, <?, 8^ in.; alar extent, 18^; wing, 6J." 



54. Sterna fuliginoaa (Gm.). 

 " ' Twa 00.' 



" When I reached Dominica, September 15, large flocks of this species 

 were skimming the water, apparently feeding upon the fish. There were 

 hundreds. Wishing to get into the mountains at once, I neglected to 

 get this bird, thinking it would be on the coast upon my return. In a 

 week, however, the squally weather which had brought them in had 

 passed, and they also had disappeared. I was able only to procure this 

 mutilated specimen, which I send with regret." 



55. Sterna anaestheta, Scop. 

 " Tern." 



" St. Marie, Atlantic coast, April 20. This bird made its first appear- 

 ance a week ago, coming from the open ocean, to breed upon a rock off 

 this stormy shore. My Indian boys procured twenty eggs from the 

 rock. The birds leave the island so soon as their young are fledged. 



"Length, (?, 14.J in.; alar extent, 29; wing, lOJ. 



"Length, $,15^ in.; alar extent, 30; wing, 10|." 



Fam. PROCELLARID^. 



56. "'Diciblotin.'" 



"Twenty years ago it was abunda,nt. Said to have come in from the 

 sea in October and I^ovember, and to burrow in the tops of the highest 

 mountains for a nest. In those mouths it incubated. The wildest 

 stories are told about it, and but for the evidence of such a man as Dr. 

 Imray, I should treat it as a myth. Doubtless as you write, it may be 

 identical with the Jamaica Petrel." 



Cn first receiving the account of this bird from Mr. Ober, I wrote to 

 Professor Baird, suggesting that it might be Piiffimis ohscnrns, which 

 species was found breeding in the Bahamas by Dr. Bryant. Professor 

 Baird replied that he thought it was more likely to be Prion Caribbaaj 

 discovered in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica a few years since. 



It is quite possible it may be an undescribed species, and its acquisi- 

 tion is most desirable. 



It goes and comes, doubtless, mostly if not altogether at night. If the 

 burrows made by it could be found when the birds are incubating, 

 probably they could be unearthed in the daytime, and thus be secured. 



