492 Mr. T. Grisdale on the Birds of Montserrat. 



an immense distance, I continued to watch it feeding, when 

 all at once I heard a heavy thud on the ground close behind 

 my heels, and turning round found another Kestrel, stunned 

 and helpless. I at once secured the new comer; and it lived 

 in partial captivity for some time afterwards. I remember 

 looking up for the speck in the sky and finding that it was 

 gone. 



There is a considerable variety in the plumage of the spe- 

 cimens I procured of the Montserrat Kestrel; but I am assured 

 by those best capable of forming an opinion, that the varia- 

 tions are only indications of sex and age. 



12. Zenaida martinicana. Mountain-Dove. 

 Everybody in Montserrat knows this species, which comes 



down in large numbers from the mountains in the early morn- 

 ing to feed in the lime-plantations on the slopes. I contin- 

 ually disturbed them in my morning strolls near the Cot, 

 when they flew for a short distance, to alight out of my sight 

 behind the next lime-trees. 



Mr. Holme had several of these birds living and thriving in 

 captivity. 



13. Geotrygon sp. inc. Ground-Dove. 



This species, like the last, was exceedingly numerous, and 

 especially so on the lower slopes near the sea. It is about 

 the size of a Quail, and its flight is very short and low. Once 

 or twice I had living specimens in my possession; but I was 

 obliged to reject them as travelling companions in my further 

 journey through the West Indies. 



I have referred here specially to only two kinds of Dove, 

 because they only came directly under my observation ; but 

 it was impossible to explore the high "woods in Montserrat 

 without being aware of the existence of a larger species than 

 either of these. This species, I was told, was the Blue Pigeon 

 or Ramier [Columba corensis), specimens of which were in- 

 cluded in the collection sent by Mr. Sturge to Mr. Sclater. 



The negro Assu, of the Cacao Gut (a beautiful ravine close 

 to the Cot), gave me a graphic description on the spot of the 

 assembling and cooing of the various species of Pigeons and 



