272 Notes on some Cuban Birds. 



dark bands. The second lias a triangular white spot at the 

 end, principally on the inner vanes, in the first or outer feather it 

 extends beyond the middle, and in the exterior vanes it reaches 

 § of its length. 



Lower parts whitish, with a greyish tint on the breast and 

 sides. A dark line from the base of the bill forms a small 

 mustache. Tail rounded, composed of 12 feathers. The 4th 

 and 5th quills the longest; 1st very short, 6th equal to the 5th, 

 the 3d longer than the 7th, the 2d equal to the 8th. Bill of a 

 horn color, with the base of the lower mandible orange yellow. 

 Feet of this last color, with the scutella darker. Iris dark 

 hazel. 



Length 2j inches — Spanish measure. 



Extent 12* " 



Tail 3& " 



The tail extends 2|- inches beyond the end of the wing. The 

 young have the upper parts of a stronger olive color, and the 

 lesser quills darker, with a small bay patch towards the end. 

 Lower parts and vent, bill, feet, and eyes, as in the adult. 



I have never found its nest. Information from the country 

 people has proved useless, for some have assured me that they 

 build their nests in the fissures of the rocks, while others assert 

 that they have found them on trees. It seems that at the breed- 

 ing season, they retire to the most inaccessible parts of the 

 mountains. They feed on wild berries, caterpillars, and insects. 



Their song is beautiful beyond conception, and nothing like 

 the rest of the winged inhabitants of the woods, their voice 

 being of a clear metallic sound, and their wild melodious strains 

 cannot be equalled by the most able performer on the most per- 

 fect instrument. The young, although their performance lasts 

 longer, have not so powerful a voice as the adult bird. While 

 singing they remain quietly perched on a branch, with no per- 

 ceptible motion except their bill. 



