172 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Measurements of the skull. 



Centimeters. 



Total length 4.7 



Greatest width 2. 9 



Length of nasals 1.2 



Length of tooth-row , 1.1 



Front edge of first molar to posterior margin of incisors 1. 6 



Greatest width of muzzle 7 



Width of interorbital bridge 5 



Center of occipital crest to line' of hinder margin of orbits 1.9 



It is evident from an examination of Neofiber that the genus stands 

 intermediate between the aberrant Fiber and the normal arvicoline 

 genera. The skull, the large head, and peculiar ears, and the heavy 

 form show its affinity to Fiber, while the feet and tail prove its close 

 relationship to the other arvicolas. 



It will be interesting to know how far the habits of this animal re- 

 semble those of the ordinary muskrat.^ '4*^JLJP+/Lm 6( S. Jf. 



ON A COLLECTION OF BIRDS MADE BY MESSRS. J. E. BENEDICT 



AND W. NYE, OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION 

 STEAMER "ALBATROSS." 



By ROBERT RIDGWAV. 



A collection of birds made by Messrs. J. E. Benedict and W. Nye, 

 naturalists accompanying the steamer "Albatross" on her winter's 

 cruise through West Indian waters and along the southern coast of the 

 Caribbean Sea, although not extensive, is of much interest. This is 

 especially true of those collected on the island of Old Providence, 250 

 miles north of Aspinwall, all the species from that locality being new to 

 science. 



The species collected at the different stations are given under sepa- 

 rate headings : 



I. — Island of St. Thomas, West Indies (January 17-24, 1884). 



1. Mimus gilvus, Vieill. One specimen. 



2. Dendroica petechia (Linn.). One specimen. 



3. Certhiola portoricenses, Bryant. Six specimens. 



4. Phonipara zena (Linn.). Eleven specimens. 



5. Icterus vulgaris, Dand. One specimen. 



6. Tyraunus dominicensis (Gm.). Seven specimens. 



7. Crotophaga ani, Linn. Three specimens. 



8. Coccyzus minor (Gmel.). Three specimens. 



9. Tinnunculus caribaearum (Gm.). One specimen. 

 10. Chamaepelia passerina (Linn.). Xine specimens. 



