6 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL, 92 



The island flora is abundant, and, as would be expected, is very 

 similar to that of the mainland." Large numbers of pines grow on 

 some of the higher ridges, especially on Bonacca, which led Columbus 

 to call it the " Isle of Pines ". Other portions exhibit complete rain 

 forest characteristics, with tall hardwood trees, lianas, epiphytic plants, 

 and a dense lower layer of small palms and shrubs. Many of 

 the higher slopes are covered with cohune or corozo palms, some of 

 the lower lands and sand spits support large groves of coconut palms, 

 and gloomy mangrove swamps fringe considerable portions of the 

 shore line. Savannas are rare, but small open areas occur, especially 

 on Bonacca and Utila. The fauna of the islands is also basically 

 that of the mainland minus practically all of the larger mammalian 

 and many of the larger avian species. In regard to flora and fauna 

 it would be of great interest to know what relation the Bay Islands 

 bear to the Antilles, which, though almost 400 miles distant, prob- 

 ably have exerted some influence, since both wind and ocean currents 

 bear from that direction. There are no large mammals in the Bay 

 Islands except the manatee ; jaguar, ocelot, tapir, deer, peccary, and 

 monkeys do not occur. The agouti or " watusa ", a rodent the size 

 of a large hare, is the main island game animal. The raccoon is prob- 

 ably also present on the islands. The domestic hog was introduced 

 into the Bay Islands by Cortez in 1525 or 1526 and spread rapidly in 

 a wild state. (Conzemius, 1928, p. 62.) The avifauna of the islands 

 appears to l)e somewhat Hmited, especially as regards land birds. The 

 curassow, guans, and macaws are absent. There are two species of 

 parrots, which are still very numerous. Of these, the yellow-headed 

 species (Chrysotis auripalliata) has long been highly regarded as a 

 pet on account of the facility with which it learns to talk, and its 

 export from the islands began at a very early date. (Conzemius, 1928, 

 p. 63.) Black vultures, blue pigeons, small woodpeckers, grackles, 

 large brown cuckoos, flycatchers, warblers, and vireos were observed 

 on all the islands. Water birds are numerous ; herons, egrets, ibis, 

 pelicans, and frigate birds were particularly noted. 



Among the lower orders, snakes are not particularly abundant, and 

 we saw none during our visit. The deadly fer-de-lance and the rat- 

 tlesnake are said not to occur. The " tomagoff" (sp. ?), a smaller 

 form said to be related to the fer-de-lance, does occur, but strange 

 to say is not thought to be dangerous. Other snake species are 

 undoubtedly present, and many iguanas and other smaller lizards 

 abound, especially in the coconut groves. Of larger reptiles, both 



* For a brief summary of the ecology of the Mosquito Coast, see Conzemius, 

 1932, pp. 1-8. 



