628 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



quentlj gives place to the scarlet- vermilion, in the light of our present 

 knowledge, can only be a matter of conjecture. 



These two points, however, may be regarded as pretty well settled : 

 (1) that the female does not have this brightly-colored crown, and (2) 

 that some young autumnal males (very likely a large majority of them) 

 ^o possess this ornament. 



In regard to the use of this decoration, I strongly suspect it to be 

 not merely an ornament induced by sexual selection for the delectation 

 of the female, but of considerable service to the bird in his " eutomo- 

 phagical" pursuits. But as I have no evidence to offer upon the sub- 

 ject, it would be unprofitable to discuss it here. 



A careful comparison of Eastern with Western Province specimens 

 fails to reveal any tangible differences of plumage or structure. 



NOTICE OP A COLLECTION OP STALKED CRINOIDS MADE BY THE 

 STEAMER ALBATROSS IN THE GULP OP MEXICO AND CARIB- 

 BEAN SEA, 1884 AND 1885. 



»y RICIXARD RATI9BVIV. 



During the early part of 1884 and of 1885, the U. S. Fish Commission 

 steamer Albatross, Lieut. Commander Z. L. Tanner, TJ. S. IST., command- 

 ing, was engaged in exploration to the south aud southeast of the United 

 States. The former year, under the direction of the Hydrographic Bu- 

 reau of the TJ. S. Navy, she was mainly employed in making sound- 

 ing observations in the Caribbean Sea region ; but a short stop for 

 dredging purposes was made oft" Havana, Cuba, where the U. S. Coast 

 Survey steamer Blake had already discovered a rich assemblage of 

 stalked crinoids. In 1885 the Albatross remained about three months 

 in the Gulf of Mexico, visiting the same locality off' Havana, and add- 

 jag very largely to the natural- history results of the previous year. 

 Brief accounts of these two cruises have already been given in this 

 volume of Proceedings (pp. 83 and 606). 



Stalked crinoids were collected ofi* Havana, Cuba, off Santiago de 

 Cuba, and in the northeastern part of the Gulf of Mexico, off' the coast 

 of Florida. Only four species were obtained — Bhizocrinus Bawsoniy 

 Pentacrinus decorus, P. MUlleri, and P. asterius. The first mentioned 

 species was taken at all of the above localities, Pentacrinus decorus and 

 P. asterius off Havana only, and P. MUlleri off Havana and off Santi- 

 ago de Cuba. 



The collection made off Havana is an exceedingly fine one, contain- 

 ing over 600 specimens, a large proportion of which are in a very per- 

 fect state of preservation, due to the great care bestowed upon them 

 by the naturalists on board. As regards this locality, Mr. James E. 

 Benedict, the chief naturalist of the Albatross, states that all the speci- 

 mens of sea-lilies were obtained to the eastward, and within sight, of 



