2S 4



the habit in common with the Grasshopper Warbler of sitting on

a high stem of grass and, on being disturbed, of diving

down into the thick vegetation whence it can only with

difficulty be made to show itself. From a systematic point of

view these birds form a difficult and intricate group, into the

details of which we need not enter here. Mr. Palmer has lately,

in the Auk for 1900, written a paper on the subject, and seems to

have fairly established the fact that those birds that pass the

summer farthest North have their winter quarters farthest South ;

a feature which is probably common in many species, although

at present it has not been definitely proved for any. There is

another species of this same genus (Geothlypis rostrated) also

inhabiting New Providence, but, curiously enough, it is found in

quite a different situation, being almost entirely confined to the

pine barrens or dry coppet. This species is peculiar to this one

island and is much finer and larger than the migratory form ; it

is, however, much the same in its habits, and is excessively

difficult to find. As is the case with most island races, the legs

have become larger and stronger while the wings are pro¬

portionately shorter, being scarcely larger than in the smaller

form.



While still dealing with the small birds, mention should be

made of the Chestnut-headed Warbler ( D. palviarum). This

little warbler is dull brown on the back and dirty white below,

but wears, during the summer, a bright patch of chestnut on the

head. It is common everywhere, especiall> r in and about the

town, where it may be seen in almost every street and garden.

In its habits it is much more of a ground bird than its congeners,

merely perching on trees to roost or when alarmed by passers by,

and, as far as I could judge, it seems to feed almost entirely on

the ground. Dendroeca discolor , the Prairie Warbler, may be taken

as the type of a typical Warbler : it is a bright and sprightly

little bird with a yellow breast and green back, and spends its

time diligently searching the trees and shrubs for insects,

occasionally darting into the air after them, like a Flycatcher,

and the next minute hanging head downwards investigating the

interior of some bell-shaped flower after the manner of a Tit. It

is only a winter visitor but it stays so late, and appears again so

early in the autumn, that I am inclined to suspect that a few

may remain to breed. One more species of interest may be

noticed before we leave the coppet, namely the Grosbeak

( L . violacca ) which is known locally as the Spanish Paroquet.

In this bird the sexes are different, the male being jet black with



