406 Wetmore, Birds of Vieques Island, P. R. [oct. 



sp.) wild figs (Ficus sp.) and cabo dc hacha {Trichilia hirta) were 

 prominent in the forests. A milkweed (Asclepias sp.) six feet tall 

 with a woody stem was common in some localities and prickly 

 pear (Opimtia sp.) and another cactus (Ccreus sp.) were abundant. 

 At the time of my arrival Cordia coUococca was in blossom but all 

 of its leaves had fallen, while the flamboyant tree {Poinciana rrgia) 

 an introduced species, was also leafless but was maturing its seeds. 

 Of indigenous mammals bats alone occur; and the only species 

 noted was a Molossus. Others were said to be abundant in certain 

 caves whose locations the natives obstinately refused to divulge. 

 The mongoose {Mungos birmanicus) is more abundant than in 

 Porto Rico, but does not seem to keep the rats in check. Lizards 

 are very common. The siguana (Ameiva exul) was found along 

 the beaches and small anolis {AnoUs cristatellus and A. stratulus) 

 were abundant everywhere. A few adult individuals and many 

 tadpoles of the frog-like Leptodactylus albilabris were seen and the 

 coqui {Eleidherodactylus antiUcnsis) was heard calling occasionally 

 in the evening. 



Bird Life. 



Though separated from Porto Rico by a strait only 14 miles 

 wide the avifauna of Vieques shows certain differences from that 

 of the larger island. Certain Greater Antillean forms are lacking 

 while a few others ranging up through the Lesser Antilles appar- 

 ently find here their farthest westward extension. Of the sixty- 

 five species of birds which are creditefl to the island in the following 

 list there are actual records for fifty-five. Ten other forms of un- 

 doubted occurrence are included as reported by hunters or from 

 other sources. Eighteen of the species listed are North American 

 migrants present here in migration or through the winter. Two 

 species, Saurothera vieilloti and Molothrus atronitens may be re- 

 garded as stragglers arriving here merely by chance. The following 

 three forms are not known at present to visit Porto Rico : 



Microlyssa e. cxilis. 

 Scricotes h. holoscriccus. 

 Elainea m. martinica. 



