PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 355 



" Prefers the skirts of woods and open fields, utters a sharp Avhistle, 

 not very loud, and flits from bush to tree in low flight. Rather abun- 

 4laut at Trois Islets on the hillsides. More numerous than I found it in 

 Dominica ; even plentiful in the low scrub, or second growth, that cov- 

 ered the hillsides upon old plantations." 



Fam. FRINGILLID^E. 



15. Loxigilla noctis (Liuu.). 

 ^' ^ Fere jwir.' ' Jloisson.'' 



"Length, <?, 5i in.; alar extent, 9; wing, 3. 



" Length, 9 , 5 in. ; alar extent, 8J ; wing, 2f . 



" In the French islands and in those in which the patois is spoken, 

 the names of this bird are the same; the male is called the ^ Fere noir\ 

 the female the ' moisson\ 



" They are as abundant here as any species and confined to the open 

 fields and cultivated districts without regard to altitude." 



16. Phonipara bicolor (Liuii. )■ 



'• 'Maugeur des herbes.' 8eed-eater. 



"Length, 2, 4i in.; alar extent, CJ; Aviug, 2. 



" The most common species, I think, in the island. Feeds principally 

 upon the seeds of grass and noxious weeds, and hence cannot be other- 

 wise than of great benefit to the island." 



Fam. ICTERID.E. 



17. Icterus bonana (Liuii.). 

 "'Carouge.' 



"Length, ^, 8 in.; alar extent, 10}; wing, oh. 



'■Length, 9, 7i- in.; alar exrent, 10; wing, 3 J. 



"I saw my first specimen of this bird at ^lorne Ilonge, another half- 

 May up rhe volcano of Montague I^elee ; but did not obtain one until 

 my A'isit to Trois Islets, south of Fort de France. It is not in abun- 

 dance that one sees it; separately and in pairs. I found it chiefly in 

 clearings on the hills and elevated i)laius. It prefers the vicinity of 

 gardens and hedges, and shuns thick Avoods; though I have found it in 

 dense scrul). Upon the hills near Trois Islets I secured it in such a 

 situation. I was reclining beneath the shade of a low tree, one very hot 

 day in August, looking out over the beautiful bay of Port Royal, when 

 1 was suddenly brought to my feet by the shock of an earthquake, 

 which, repeated twice, startkd the birds as well as myself. Then I 

 noted for the first time this bird in the scrub beneath the trees." 



18. Quiscalus iuflezirostris, Sv,-. 



"'Le Meile.' Iris, <?, hazel; 9, pale yellow. 

 "Length. (^,10^- in.; alar extent, 15; wing, 5. 

 "Length, 9, 9 in.; alar extent, 13y; wing, 4}. 



