52 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Fam. TUEDID^. 



1. Margarops herminieri (Lafr.).— Local name, "Morer". 



" This curious bird inhabits the high woods; especially does it delight 

 in the comparatively open places beneath the towering gomier trees, 

 where perhaps a narrow trail has left the ground bare of leaves. There 

 you will find where it has been scratching with its strong feet. It is 

 very shy, and being very good as food it is sought by the mountaineers, 

 who call it to them by imitating its cry of distress. 



" Iris tea-color. Not abundant. 



"Length, ^, 9in. ; alar extent, 15; wing, 5; tail, 3y 



Of this fine species there are five males in the collection, but no 

 females, and Mr. Ober makes no allusion to their plumage. It has not 

 before been recorded from Dominica. 



2. Margarops densirostris (Vieill.)-— Local name, "Gros Grive". 



" These birds are much esteemed for their flesh, and are hunted with- 

 out mercy, when the law allows. They are thus made very shy; at 

 St. Marie, however, in the Indian section of Dominica, where they 

 are not shot, they are very tame, and frequent the mango and bread- 

 fruit trees about the habitations of the people. They lay in April and 

 May. 



" Iris very pale straw color ; bill horn color. 



"Length, <?, 11 in.; alar extent, 17^; wing, 5i ; tail, 5f." 



The sexes do not diflfer apparently in size or plumage; not before 

 noted from Dominica. 



3. Margarops montauus (Vieill.)-— Local name, " Grive ". 



"Abundant, but much reduced in numbers by being shot for food. In 

 habits and actions much resembles the American Mockingbird, without 

 his song, however. 



" Iris yellow. 



" Length, <?, 9^ ; alar extent, 14f ; wing, 43 ; tail, 4." 



Numerous specimens of both sexes sent; no apparent difference 

 between them; also not sent before from this island. 



The nest of this species is composed of fine roots loosely woven toge- 

 ther; the inside with the smallest roots, but no soft lining; it is very 

 shallow, and appears small for the size of the bird, having a diameter 

 of but four and a half inches ; there are two eggs of a uniform beauti- 

 ful aqua-marine blue, measuring 1.20 x .75. 



Collected at Shawford Valley, May 10. 



4. Cinclocerthia ruficauda, Gould.— Local name, "Trembleur". 



" Its name is given from its habit of quivering its wings. Abundant 

 in the mountains and lower valleys. (See letter in Forest and Stream.) 

 " Length, <?, 9 in. ; alar extent, 12 J; wing, 4 ; tail, 3J." 

 The sexes are alike in colors and dimensions. This species has not 

 been obtained before in Dominica. 



