482 Col. H W. Feilden on 



dome-shaped, depth inside 3 inches, entrance \\ inch. 

 The newly-hatched young are bright yellow-tinted. 



—4. Dendrceca STRIATA (Forst.) . Swamp Sparrow. 



I first met with and obtained this species amongst the man- 

 grove bushes bordering Valentia swamp on the 20th October, 

 1888. I was attracted by its sharp note ; the coloured lad 

 with me recognized it as the " Swamp Sparrow;" it is there- 

 fore in all probability an annual visitor. 1 saw two or three 

 more at the same place later on in the year, but was unable 

 to procure another example. When alarmed they hide in 

 the thickest bush ; the note is a monotonous '^ chip, chip, 

 chip." The specimen obtained is either in winter plumage 

 or in that of the young bird. 



—5. SiURUs NiEVius (Bodd.). 



From its small size and plain plumage this species may be 

 more abundant than I suppose, as it ranges in winter through- 

 out the West Indies. I only noted two examples in Bar- 

 bados, one at Brandon, the residence of Mr. Edmund Taylor, 

 on the 5th of November, 1888, and another which I procured 

 at Chancery Lane on the 24th of the same month. 



—6. Setophaga RUTiciLLA (Liun.). Goldfinch. 



An annual migrant, arriving in Barbados towards the 

 middle of September, where it is known by the name of 

 Goldfinch and Christmas-bird. I observed individuals re- 

 maining as late as February. The bright plumage of the 

 male bird makes it a very conspicuous object as it flits about 

 from branch to branch amid the green foliage. 



— 7. Certhiola BARBADENsis, Bailed. Sugar-bird. 



The Barbados Certhiola is very abundant throughout the 

 island, and when the great American aloe is in bloom may 

 constantly be seen creeping and searching about its yellow 

 blossoms, which appear equally attractive to the Humming- 

 birds. It is also very partial to the moringa [Moringa pierygo- 

 sperma) when in flower. It has a metallic note, which 

 sounds to me as " zic, zic, zic," rapidly repeated ; this it 

 utters when flying as well as when perched in the trees ; it 



I 



