186 Mr. O. Salvin on a Collection of 



fauna of Yucatan we find, as might liave been expected, a 

 strong resemblance in tbe two districts as regards their birds. 

 Still there are features in the Cozumel fauna that call for 

 special remark ; for besides the Certhiola just described, we 

 find a species of the hitherto peculiarly Antillean genus 

 Spindalis, also a distinct Harporhynchus , which has no ally 

 nearer than in the Mexican State of Vera Cruz. 



The characteristic birds which this island shares with the 

 mainland are Vireo magister, Pyranga roseigularis , Centurus 

 rubriventris, C. dubius, and Chrysotis xantholora. Many of 

 the remainder of tbe species are either widely distributed over 

 the adjoining continent, or migratory birds visiting the 

 island during their spring flight. A few, such as Melanoptila 

 glabrirostris, are restricted to this coast, and Columba leuco- 

 cephala and Engyptila jamaicensis have a wider range over 

 the West-Indian Islands. 



Mr. Devis noticed several other species which were 

 familiar to him, but of which he did not secure specimens. 

 Some of these were a Mimus (most probably M. gilvus), Phmii- 

 copterus ruber in numbers, a Spoonbill {Platalea ajaja), an 

 Ihh [Eudocimus albus), the Boatbill {Cancroma cochlearia) , the 

 Osprey {Pandion haliaetus), and numerous species of Heron. 



He further informs me that birds were generally very 

 common. 



That an island like Cozumel should contain so many dis- 

 tinct species is an important fact, and this, taken with the 

 still more remarkable one that the only known species of the 

 island of Old Providence are all distinct from their mainland 

 or Antillean relatives, suggests that there is not an island in 

 these seas that is not worth the visit of a naturalist. We 

 doubt not that a harvest is to be reaped, rich in novelty, if 

 not in numbers of species, by any one who is able and willing 

 to undertake the task of investigating them. 



1. GaLEOSCOPTES CAROLINENSIS. 



Muscicapa carolinensis , Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 328. 

 Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Salv. & Godm. Biol. Centr.-Am., 

 Aves, i. p. 26. 



