74 BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



Winter Plumage, Female. — The black band wanting ; plumage 

 slightly paler ; a pale ash-colored line from over the eye to sides of 

 the neck ; crown showing a trace of brown, otherwise resembles 

 the male. 



Length 5.50, wing 2.70, tail 2.36, tarsus .92, bill .72. 



The present species appears to be an exceedingly local and rare 

 bird, all the known specimens having been taken upon the island of 

 New Providence. During my visits to that island I had the good 

 fortune to procure a female, which has been hitherto undescribed. 

 Its habits appeared to be much the same as those of G. trichas, with 

 the exception that it seemed to prefer somewhat higher and dryer 

 ground than the latter species. Dr. Bryant states, " The stomach 

 and cesophagus of one contained the head and body of an Anolis, 

 which, without the tail, measured ten inches and a half in length, 

 showing rather a carnivorous propensity for a bird of this family." 



It is easily distinguished from G. trichas by its great size, and 

 the absence of white upon the abdomen. I give below the compara- 

 tive measurement of a large specimen of G. trichas and G. rostratits, 

 both taken in the same locality. 



Of late years this bird has been classed as a large local variety 

 of G. trichas ; but, after a careful comparison of several specimens 

 with a large series of the latter, I have, without hesitation, restored it 

 to the rank of a distinct species. 



