122 



Symphemia semipalmata. Abundant ; resident ; breeding in 

 all suitable localities. Called Duck-snipe by the inhabitants. 



Rallus crepitans. I saw a few specimens, but as I did not visit 

 those places where they would be most likely to be found, did not 

 see as many as I otherwise should. I frequently heard another 

 species of rail, but did not see it ; having no dog, I was unable 

 to flush it. 



Fulica Americana. Abundant, and resident the whole year. 

 Gallinula galeata. " " " 



Gallinula Martinica. I think that this bird must be common, 

 but I met with but one specimen. 



Dendrocygna arhorea. Common, and breeds on the southern 

 island. At Nassau it was common, but did not breed there. 



Anas hosclias. Common during the winter. 



Nettion Carolinensis. " " 



Querqvedula discors. " . " 



Fulix marila, " " 



Fulix coUaris. " " 



Ay thy a Americana. " " 



Erismatura ruhida. " " 



The four last species are seen in immense flocks, sometimes 

 acres in extent. The Red-head seemed to be the most abundant. 



Pelecanus fusciis. At the Biminis the Brown Pelican was 

 numerous, and breeding on the mangroves, in the same manner as 

 in Florida. On the 20th of February, the young were hatched 

 in some of the nests, and incubation was advanced in all of them. 

 I did not meet with the bird anywhere else. The development of 

 the air-cells is greater in this bird than in any other that I am 

 acquainted with. On touching it while alive, a distinct crepitus 

 is felt and heard, as if it were emphysematous ; all the bones, 

 with the exception of the phalanges of the toes, contain air. It 

 possesses much more intelligence than I gave it credit for. A 

 tame one, belonging to the Colonel of Engineers at Nassau, was 

 in the habit of going every morning to the fish-mai-ket. Fish are 

 always sold alive, and, in order tliat tiie purchaser may select 

 them, are taken out of the water and spread before him ; this 

 was the moment for the Pelican, and, if he had been as active as 

 he was voracious, he would have fared well ; but, unfoitunately 

 for him, the fishermen were generally too quick, and, seizing him 



