PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 193 



Fam. ALCEDINID^. 



26. "Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). 



" Not abundant. The same habits as the Northern Kingfisher j must 

 be a resident. Have seen it in Dominica in April and September; hero 

 from October to February." 



Fam. CUCULID^. 



27. Coccyzus minor (Gm.). 

 " 'Cuckoo, Manioc' 



" Wherever there is a field with low bushes, or dense clumps of man- 

 goes with open spaces intervening, on hillsides as well as plains, this 

 bird may be found. Its peculiar cry is said to be heard always before 

 a rain, giving it the name of ' Rain Bird ' — a name, however, not confined 

 to this species, as local names are given without any reason, except the 

 fancy of the people bestowing it." 



28. Crotophaga aui, Liun. 



" < Tick Bird.' ' Chapman Bird.' 



" Introduced, but assimilates well. A lazy, unsuspicious bird, fre- 

 quenting cattle-fields, and delighting to congregate in bunches of half a 

 dozen or so in the tops of small trees. Is said to eat the cattle ticks, 

 and for this purpose was introduced. Is always in a state of emaciation, 

 but the stomach is generally well filled with ticks and small Coleoptera." 



Fam. PSITTACID^. 



29. Chrysotis guildingi (Vigors). 



"Length (fresh), <? , 18^ inches; alar extent, 32^ ; wing, lOJ; tail, 7f . 



"Length (fresh), 9, 19 inches; alar extent, 33; wing,,ll. 



" Is confined to the great central ridge running through the island ; 

 on this, and on the thickly wooded spurs this parrot is found. Like 

 the Eamier, it feeds in the tops of the highest trees, and its season of 

 good condition is the later months in the year. Mates in February, 

 March, and breeds in April and May. Is then most easily approached, 

 though ever shy and vigilant. Is sometimes caught (but only by break- 

 ing a wing by a shot) and takes kindly to confinement. The governor 

 of St. Vincent, G. Dundas, Esq., C. M. G., has two which can articulate 

 a few words. As a rule, however, they are difiBcult to teach. This is 

 the only species on the island." 



I have appended a description of this rare and beautiful species. 



Male. — The sinciput is of an ashy-white ; the feathers of the top of the 

 head have their bases pale orange, which color increases until on the occi- 

 put the feathers are entirely of a fine orange; lores and around the eye 

 grayish-white ; cheeks pale orange ; the feathers of the sides of the neck 

 and throat are orange at base, terminating with pale blue; the feathers 

 Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 13 Oct.. 35, 1878. 



