CHAPTER IV 
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. BARBADOS 
VERTEBRATES, CRUSTACEA, ECHINODERMS, AND MOLLUSCA 
In the preparation of these notes the writer has merely at- 
tempted to give some of the outstanding features of interest to 
the general naturalist. In many cases the identifications are 
merely approximate, unless given on the authority of someone 
besides the writer. In the use of scientific names, the better 
known terminology of the general text-books and reference 
books is given in preference to the later names proposed by 
specialists in the various groups. This, it is hoped, will render 
these notes more readily available for the general zoologist and 
student of natural history, although they are lacking in the 
technical accuracy so highly prized by the specialists. 
Mammals.—We paid practically no attention to land verte- 
brates at Barbados, as they are few and well-known. There is 
a species of monkey in a small patch of woodland in the northern 
part of the island, but we did not secure specimens for identi- 
fication. The mongoose is plentiful and regarded as a pest; and 
vain attempts have been made here as in other islands in the 
West Indies, to suppress it. It is said to destroy a good many 
birds and eggs. The rat of this region is also regarded as ver- 
min by the planter, doing much damage to the cane, and it is 
quite fond of cocoanuts, gnawing its way through the outer 
husks and often making its nests in the young fruit. I was told 
by several reliable witnesses that the rat sometimes falls with 
the fruit and avoids injury by jumping out just before the nut 
strikes the ground. 
Fishes—As before indicated, we employed native fishermen 
and their fishpots with good results. Dr. Barton W. Evermann 
will prepare a report on the reef fishes. In the present work it 
is not the intention to anticipate this or any other special re- 
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