BIRDS OF CUBA 121 



the bank of a stream in the Savanna de Guamacaro. All were killed in 

 April while passing northward. 



245. Setophaga ruticilla (Linne). 

 Redstart; Candelita. 



The Redstarts are the first sign to Cubans that the migration is on, 

 and they probably are the very last Northern visitor to leave in the spring. 

 They are excessively abundant in thickets and woods everywhere, even in 

 the outskirts of the cities. Except for the Palm Warbler, no bird is more in 

 evidence during the winter than the Candelita — the little flame. The 

 North American observer never would dream that there could be enough 

 Redstarts gathered together from all the bird's range to make up the 

 hordes which come to Cuba. 



246. Cyanerpes cyaneus (Linne). 

 Blue-headed Honey Creeper; Azulito. 



The Blue Honey Creepers are very local. Ramsden showed them to 

 me near Guantanamo in early March, 191 5, feeding on the flowers of the 

 cupey {Clusea rosea), a parasitic tree which towers far above its host. It 

 also feeds in the majagua blossoms, but though this tree is widespread, the 

 bird is very local. Their erratic appearance accounts for the name of 

 Aparecido de San Diego, but Azulito is more generally used. Many are 

 caught with bird-lime, and for a short while each spring scores are for 

 sale in Santiago and Havana, but in no such number, however, as one may 

 see in May in the market at Panama. Bangs has described the Cuban 

 ^ birds as a local race, ramsdeni; yet, loath as I am to part with this friendly 

 f^ name, I must conclude that the Cuban birds are not separable from those 



"'..| of Panama and Nicaragua. If the bird was introduced into Cuba purpose- 



fully, this must have been done years ago, for it was well known during all 

 Gundlach's sojourn. He found his first nest in 1844; then it was widespread. 

 Today it certainly is rare, except in Oriente where I have seen it near San 

 Carlos de Guantanamo and near El Cobre. I have heard of it in San Carlos 

 de Luis Lazo and San Diego de los Banos. 



•••,•< 



'-^■■*--,v 



