450 ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF CARIBBEE ISLANDS. 



America, less than 100 miles away. Instead I found that there were 

 fewer resident species than in the more northern (mountainous) islands, 

 and but a hint afforded here and there of species I later found abundant in 

 Tobago, and belonging to the continental fauna. This subject is spoken 

 of more at length in my introduction to the Grenada catalogue. In April 

 I sailed for Tobago, an island out of the route allotted me, but one con- 

 taining valuable species, and the study of which, in connection with my 

 previous observations in the Antilles proper, was imperatively neces- 

 sary. In this islaud I brought to light many new facts regarding the 

 early correspondence and discoveries of Mr. Kiik, the friend and collector 

 of Sir W. Jardine, forty years ago. 



Leaving Tobago I arrived in Barbados the last of June, and at once 

 proceeded to Martinique, in which island I remained seven weeks. Mar- 

 tinique and Guadaloupe have both been well investigated, and I do not 

 anticipate anything of value from these islands. Regarding the range of 

 the '■'■Siffleur montagne,''^ or "mountain whistler," found also in Dominica, 

 I consider my notes of value, and also relating to a few others. Here I 

 encountered much trouble from the terrible serpent peculiar to that 

 island and St. Lucia, the Craspedocephalus lanceolatus, two si>ecimens of 

 which, in rum, I sent to the museum. 



In August I sailed for Guadaloupe, reaching the mountains the last 

 week in that month. Here, though I do not expect there are any new 

 birds among my collections, I procured some very rare ones, among 

 which was the Tappeur or woodpecker — the only one found in the Car- 

 ibbee Isles and not found in any other — the Picus Vhermimeri of Lesson. 

 Also the Perdix croissant, a dove peculiar to this island, the Geotrygon 

 mystacea. Three of this species I brought home alive to Mr. Lawrence. 

 Regarding the almost mythical Biablotin, the Procellaria diabolical of 

 L'hermiuier, I i:)rocured notes of interest. In Guadaloui^e, as in Marti- 

 nique, there is an excellent museum called the Musee de Lliermiyiier. 

 Nearly all the valuable collections of the late Dr. Lherminier were de- 

 stroyed in the great fire that ravaged Point a Pitre a few years ago. 

 Though the doctor discovered many new si)ecies here, some of the types 

 of which he sent to France, and some of which (I think) are in the de la 

 Fresnaye collection in Boston, none of his original notes are extant. I 

 was told that they perished with his collections in the conflagration. 



Leaving Guadaloupe in October, 1878, I arrived in New York, after 

 a tempestuous passage, to find that of all the specimens shipped to 

 the museum at diflerent times, not one was lost. It will be seen that 

 in ornithology alone my collections contained eighteen species and varieties 

 new to science, a result that cannot fail to be considered gratifying. 

 There yet remain (at this present writing, December) the collections from 

 Martinique, Guadaloupe, and Tobago unexamined. 



Fortunate as I have been, I cannot but regret that the appropriations 

 for finishing my search and comi)leting a work but little nu)re than half 

 accomplished were not forthcoming. All my private funds and all fur- 



