PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 57 



sclateri, presented b^- Dr. Guudlacb — this is much smaller than the 

 above, measuring in length 4^ in. ; wing, 'Jf^ ; tail, l^^. 



17. Saltator guadeloupensis, Lafr. — Local uame, " Grosbec ". 



''Found among the bushes and low trees fringing the cleared valleys 

 and open plateaus. Its clear note makes it a marked bird in the breed- 

 ing season. Found eggs in May. Inhabitant ot both coasts. Not 

 abundant. 



"Length, 8J in. ; alar extent, 12^; wing, 4; tail, 3|, 9. 



" Length, Si in. ; alar extent, 12A ; wing, 4; tail, 3f, <?. 



'• x^est obtained at St. Marie, Indian country, May 1, 1877; lays from 

 two to three eggs at a time." 



The sexes do not differ in plumage. The nest is made of the stems of 

 coarse grasses, and though appearing to be loosely put together, yet is 

 quite compact; there are a few finer stems at the bottom of the cavity. 

 The outer diameter is 5i inches, height 3 inches, depth of cavity Ig 

 inches. The eggs are light greeiiish-blue, with a few irregular black 

 markings on the larger end; the length is LOG of an inch, the width .80. 



Fam. FRINGILLID^. 



18. Loxigilla noctis (Linu.). — Local name, Moissoii ; Fere Noir ; Sparrow. 



" The male is black, the female gray, I have no doubt, as they are 

 always seen together. Very common, especially on old plantations; 

 make their nests in low trees and stout shrubs. The nest sent, with 

 three eggs, was obtained in Shawford Valley, March 21, 1877. 



"Length, 5J in.; alar extent, 9; wing, 3; tail, 2|, <?. 



"Length, 5^ in.; alar extent, 8| ; wing, 2|; tail, 2^, 9." 



The nest under examination is placed in the upright trifurcated 

 branch of a prickly shrub or tree, and is thus supported behind and on 

 each side ; it is a large and loosely formed structure, composed of fine 

 stems of plants, dried leaves, and small, dried plants; it is covered 

 over or domed, and has a large opening in front, the lower part, which 

 is the nest proper, is more compact, and is lined at the bottom with 

 fine, soft grasses or stems of plants ; the height of the nest outside is 8 

 inches, the breadth 5; the opening in front has a diameter of 3 inches; 

 depth of cavity, 2 inches. The complement of eggs is three. Those sent 

 differ much in size and appearance. One is nearly white, marked with 

 minute pale spots of reddish-brown, quite evenly distributed ; this 

 measures .80 by .02 of an inch. Another, of about the same size, is 

 more conspi(;uously si)otted; at the larger end densely so; size, .78 by 

 .57. The last is much smaller, the spots larger and darker; it is closely 

 spotted all over, the spots not confluent at the larger end ; it measures 

 .72 by .50. 



Mr. Sclater speaks of the single specimen from St. Lucia (P. Z. S. 

 1871, p. 271), and referred to this species as differing from a Martinique 



