204 Natural History Bulletin. 



which has an exceedingly rich and mellow song. It is seldom 

 molested, and indi^'idual birds habitually sing at a certain time 

 of day from some favorite perch, pouring out a perfect flood 

 of melody, evidently much to the delight of the performer. 

 So far as I have ascertained, the natives do not cage any of 

 these birds, although the children sometimes capture and plav 

 with the young. 



A few frogs and lizards are found on the island, the latter 

 being very abundant and known as chameleons. Some of 

 them have a bladder-like contrivance under or at the side of 

 the neck, which they expand into a bright red, globular infla- 

 tion. This ma}' serve to attract insects, as any bit of color is 

 known to do, and thus be an example of alluring coloration. 



Only a few species of flsh were secured, most of them 

 being purchased from the native flshermen. Among the food- 

 flshes may be mentioned a Scoiubci-. which is locally known 

 as the '-jack-flsh." but seems different from the jack-flsh of 

 the North, and a species of Bal/stcs or flle-fish. Another 

 species which I have been unable to identify, has two very 

 heavy and broad incisors in each jaw. no lips, the incisors, 

 being almost entireh' bare and exposed, very large cycloid 

 scales, and a low dorsal which is entire and without spines. 

 Captain Flowers, while Ashing from the schooner, caught a 

 large jew-flsh, Stcrcolcpis sp., which was probabh' the heav- 

 iest true bony flsh that we secured during the voyage. It 

 proved excellent eating. We noticed that the scales were 

 carefully saved h\ the native who cleaned the flsh. He said 

 that they were highly prized for working into the beautiful 

 shell-work baskets for vvhich the Spanish Wells people are 

 noted. Another large flsh caught in the harbor was the bar- 

 racuda, Sphyrtcjhi sp. On this and other occasions, the \\riter 

 has found it excellent eating, in spite of the belief on the part 

 of the natives, and even some sailors, that it is poisonous. I am 

 strongl}' of the opinion that this is a baseless slur cast upon 

 the reputation of an excellent food-flsh. Several species of a 

 flnely marked mora}-, jSItinena melanotis Gthr., were secured 

 here. The ground color is black, dotted with linear light yel- 



