THE BIRDS OF HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN EEPUBLIC 301 



Kesident, common; not found in heavily forested sections. 



The gray kingbird is almost universally distributed in the culti- 

 vated sections of Hispaniola, occurring everywhere about fields and 

 pastures but not penetrating the forests. Wetmore did not find it 

 on the heights of La Selle, though it ranged on the north face of 

 that range above the Riviere Jaquisy, but in the Valley of Con- 

 stanza, at a slightly lower altitude than La Selle with a climate 

 equally cold, the bird was fairly common. He observed it in the 

 mangroves bordering the Yuna and Barrancota, and on the little 

 wooded islets on the southern shores of Samana Bay, seeming ex- 

 ceptions to the statement that the species is not found regularly in 

 forested sections until it is remembered that open stretches of water 

 in these haunts afforded favorable feeding grounds comparable to 

 the open lands frequented elsewhere. It comes into the suburbs of 

 towns and villages, and ranges in semi-arid and humid sections 

 alike. Abbott collected specimens on Gonave and Tortue Islands, 

 and from September 12 to 18, 1919, found it common on Saona. 

 He saw two or three pairs on Catalinita Island September 10 to 

 12 of the same year. 



The gray kingbird rests on open perches to watch for passing in- 

 sects, flying out to secure these on the wing. Its flight is direct, 

 performed with rapid beats of the wings, and can be fairly rapid. 

 The bird is belligerent and delights in pursuing other kingbirds or 

 individuals of other species, its victims ranging in size from the 

 red-tailed hawk down, all, regardless of stature, fleeing from its 

 angry attacks. From an economic standpoint it is one of the most 

 useful species found on the island and should be protected as it is 

 fitted to thrive in connection with developing agriculture. If prop- 

 erly guarded it should increase in numbers as the forests are cleared 

 and more land comes under cultivation. 



Present definite records of its occurrence are as follows: 



Dominican Republic : Comendador to Azua, San Francisco de 

 Macoris (Wetmore) ; Rivas (Tristram) ; Cana Honda, El Valle, 

 Cayo Levantado, Samana (Verrill) ; Rojo Cabo, San Lorenzo (Ab- 

 bott) ; Sanchez, La Vega, (Verrill, Wetmore) ; La Vega to Jara- 

 bacoa (Wetmore) ; El Rio, Constanza (Abbott, Wetmore) ; Santiago 

 (Wetmore) ; Moca (Ciferri) ; Puerto Plata (Cory) ; Monte Cristi, 

 Sosua (Peters): Saona and Catalinita Islands (Abbott). 



Haiti: Jeremie (Abbott, Bartsch) ; Trou des Roseaux, Miragoane, 

 Petit Goave (Bartsch) ; Aquin, L'Acul, Fonds-des-Negres, Etang 

 Miragoane, Carrefour, Damien (Wetmore) ; Port-au-Prince 

 (Younglove, Bartsch, Beebe, Wetmore) ; Trou Caiman, Thomazeau, 

 Glore (Bartsch) ; Fonds Verettes (Abbott) ; Mont Rouis, Las Ca- 

 2134—31 20 



