BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 49 



ash, streaked with fine Hues of brown, becoming broader upon the 

 sides ; wings, rufous-brown, feathers sUghtly edged with pale rufous ; 

 wing-coverts tipped with white, forming two narrow bars ; tail, dark 

 brown, slightly tipped with dull white, wanting on the two middle 

 feathers; legs, bluish black; bill, black; iris, yellow. The female 

 resembles the male. 



Length about ii, wing 5, tail 5, tarsus 1.60, bill .90. 



This beautiful songster makes its home among the Bahama 

 Islands, where it is very abundant throughout the year. Upon 

 landing upon Highburn Key I observed a large bird clinging to 

 the top of a small branch, which swayed about in the light breeze. 

 It had the appearance of a Mocking-bird, but was much larger than 

 any I had ever seen. As I looked, it lifted its head and uttered a 

 series of notes such as I had rarely if ever heard equalled by any of 

 our songsters. As it sung, gently swaying from one side to the 

 other, it would suddenly cease, and then softly commence again, 

 gradually increasing in power until it seemed carried away by the 

 beauty of its own melody. 



Dr. Bryant, during his visits to the Bahamas, found it very abun- 

 dant. He says, "On those keys, which are barely large enough for 

 any land birds to inhabit them, this bird is sure to be the first 

 settler ; and in some of them, as Ship Channel Keys, for instance 

 which are only a few acres in extent, there would be two or three 

 pairs, each occupying its own domain, which they did not allow to 

 be invaded by the others without giving battle at once. It was 



