° 1916 J Wetmore, Birds of Vieques Island, P.R. 415 



These hummers were found usually in the forested areas, and remained in 

 the shade during the heat of the day. The flowers of the Gonduro (Cajanus 

 cajan) were their favorite feeding grounds and nearly all of my specimens 

 were taken about these growths. These hummingbirds are large and 

 though they flew with great rapidity, were not so active as the other species. 

 Specimens were secured on March 18 and 23. From observations made on 

 March 23, females were feeding young at that date so that the nesting 

 season here must be rather early. In tropical regions however, dates of 

 nest-building and reproduction seem liable to variation from year to year 

 through influences which to us are not perceptible or have not as yet been 

 noted. So that generalizations based on the observations of a single 

 season are not in my opinion altogether trustworthy but should be checked 

 by notes made during a period of years. 



40. Anthracothorax aurulentus (Audebert and Vieillot). Porto 

 RiCAN Mango. — Resident. On Vieques wherever there were flowers I 

 was certain to find hummingbirds and of all the species on the island the 

 present one was the most common. The flowers of the Molinillo {Leonotis 

 sp.) were more attractive to this bird than to the other forms. These 

 hummingbirds are large and robust and when perched appear as big as 

 honey-creepers. The young were fully grown on my arrival and were 

 caring for themselves. Specimens were shot on March 18 and 19. 



41. T3a"annus dominicensis dominicensis (Gmelin). Gray King- 

 bird. — A common resident in the brushy pastures. Birds were taken for 

 specimens on March 19, 20, 22, and 23. 



42. Tolmarchus taylori (Sclater). Porto Rican Petchary. — A 

 tolerably common resident. These birds frequented the larger trees of 

 the forest growth and were not found elsewhere on the island. A pair 

 observed on March 28 were evidently mated and I considered this the 

 beginning of the breeding season. Birds were taken on March 18, 21, 25 

 and 29. 



43. Myiarchus antillarum (Bryant). Antillean Flycatcher. — 

 A tolerably common resident found in the densest forest growth of the dry 

 hills or in the more open luxuriant growth along the small stream Ijeds. 

 A mated pair was seen on March 23 and following this other indications 

 of the beginning of the breeding season were noticed. This flycatcher 

 resembles a Wood Pewee superficially in both appearance and habits. 

 Specimens were taken on March IS, 23, 25 and 27. 



44. Elainea martinica martinica (Linnseus). Antillean Elainea. 

 — This species seemed to be a migrant here as it was not found until 

 March 25 after which it was more or less in evidence constantly in the 

 proper localities. It has not been found by previous collectors on the island, 

 a fact that strengthens the belief that it is migratory. The birds secured 

 were ready to nest and were found in almost impenetrable thorny growths 

 covering many of the dry hot slopes. Their strange habits were of great 

 interest. One would sally out into the air after an insect and on returning 

 to its perch remain motionless for a minute or two like a flycatcher. Then 



