A. 



■ 892.] Scott Ofi the Birds of Jamaica. 12^ 



From Mr. Taylor's notes I quote, and I fully aj^ree with him. that this is one 

 of the species that has hecome appreciably rarer through the influence of 

 the mongoose. "lean give little or no information concerning the habits 

 of the 'Partridge,' as 1 have never met with it near Kingston. The nest is 

 often so slight and flimsy a structure as scarcely to suffice for the recep- 

 tion of the eggs, two in number, which are regularly oval and vary from 

 pale to deep buff. This bird seems to prefer to nest in low bushes, and 

 is reported to have suftered from the depredations of the mongoose." 

 108. Geotrygon crista'^a {Temm.). Blue Dove. Mountafn-vvitch. 



— During my stay at Priestman's River I received two specimens of this 

 bird, and knew of one other that was killed during that time. The birds 

 are apparently very rare, though formerly common, and. it seems prob- 

 able, are becoming rapidly exterminated by the mongoose. The first 

 specimen, procured on January 7, had not quite finished the moult. It 

 was a male, and showed no signs of the approach of the breeding season. 

 A second male was taken on February 14 and had fully moulted, though 

 the breeding season seems at least a month later than with the other 

 Doves and Pigeons. The birds are shy, and frequent the dense woods, 

 most of the time being spent on the ground. 



I quote from Mr. Taylor: "The Blue Dove is so exclusively a moun- 

 tain bird that I have had no opportunity of observing it alive. It is re- 

 puted rare, and even extinct in some parts, but this scarcity must be 

 more apparent than real, since the habits of the bird are so solitary and 

 retiring." 



109. Starncenas cyanocephala {Linn.'). ]3lue-hkaukd Qijail-dove. 



— There are no recent records of this species from the island. From 

 e ' Birds of Jamaica,' Gosse, p. 324, I quote: " Tlie Spanish Partridge 



{Starncenas cyanocephala) is not considered as indigenous in Jamaica, 

 though it is frequently imported thither from Cuba. It may, however, 

 yet be found in the precipitous woods of the north side; Albin, Brisson, 

 BuflFon, and Temminck, attribute it positively to our island." 



Durmg rc\y stay at Priestman's River I was frequently told of a kind of 

 Pigeon, locally known as the 'Red-neck.' The bird is described as a large 

 Pigeon, larger than the 'Ring-tailed Pigeon,' and as being a ^;'e« Pigeon. 

 At the same time its present great rarity is attributed to the mongoose's 

 depredations. The bird was described to me by all the local gunners and 

 hunters, and there can be little doubt of the existence of a Pigeon not 

 obtained so far by naturalists who have worked on the island. Gosse 

 (Birds of Jamaica, p. 324) refers to Avbat appears to be this same bird 

 under the name of" Red-necked Dove." 



Mr. Taylor sends me the following note : " Tnrtur risoria is a common 

 cage-bird in Jamaica, but I know of no instance in which it has been seen 

 or taken in a wild state on the island." 



no. Cathartes aura {Linn.). Turkey Buzzard. John Crow. — 

 Fairly common resident. Breeds. Said to have decreased greatly in 

 numbers in the past few years, being preyed upon, like all other ground, 

 and many low tree, builders, b^ the mongoose, 



