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known locally as the Blue Thrasher (M. rubripes) (c ). Like the

Creeper, this is also a typical West Indian form, of which the

races on the various islands differ slightly from each other ; it is

of moderate size, having a total length of nine inches, of which

five are made up by the tail. The general colour above and

below is slate grey, the quills are black with broad light

external edgings of paler grey ; the chin, fore part of the throat

and the space in front of the eye are black, while a small patch at

the base of the lower mandible is pure white. A most handsome

finish is given to the general appearance by the bright crimson of

a ring of skin surrounding the eye and of the legs. Although

tolerably common this bird is a great skulker and thus frequently

escapes observation ; it generally moves about on the ground

or in the lower branches of thick coppet, and, when disturbed,

it renders itself, by remaining motionless, quite the reverse of

conspicuous. The male sings, as a rule, at a moderate elevation

in somewhat similar situations to those chosen by the Bahama

Mocking Bird, but if he fancies himself observed he will change

his post so frequently that one is often led a long way before a

glimpse of him can be obtained.


Round many of the trees, especially the cocoanuts and

almonds, may be noticed a series of rings formed by small

punctures in the bark about a quarter of an inch in diameter,

which surround the trunk and are in many cases continued

from near the ground to the top of the tree. These are the

work of the Sapsucker (S. varius.) which in its immature dress

is a very common winter visitor. I have never seen it actually

tapping for the sap, but I presume it works like a typical Wood¬

pecker which it closely resembles in structure. Its size is that

of our Greater Spotted Woodpecker ( D . major).


Lying as they do on the edge of the tropics the Bahamas

contain several well-marked forms ol Cuckoos, whose chief

external resemblance to our familiar bird lies in the shape of the

foot, which is zygodactylate, i.e., having two toes pointing

forward and two backwards. The typical Cuckoo note so

pleasing to our ears every spring is unfortunately absent, and the

only note they make is a short harsh scream which has certainly

nothing to recommend it from a human standpoint, though it

may bring delight to the Cuckoo’s breast. The general shape

and proportions of these birds are much as in the old world

form, but their flight is weaker and seldom long sustained, so


(c). A/imocic/i/a bryanti , which is common in the Bahamas, whereas . 1 /. rubripes Is

supposed to be confined to the island of Cuba.—K. P.



