486 Col. H. W. Feilden on 



4-17. ELA.INEA MARTiNicA (Liiiii.). Peewliittlcr, 



Mr. Cory has lately bestowed the specific name of harha- 

 densis on the form found in Barbados ; I have, however, 

 retained the older designation. This is a common bird 

 throughout the island wherever groves of trees are to be met 

 with. It is the first bird that heralds the approach of day, 

 and just before dawn its cry of "^pee-wee, pee-wee^^ is to be 

 heard from tree and copse. It is a lively little creature, 

 darting from tree to tree and perching on the ends of the 

 branches, erecting its crest and uttering its singular notes, 

 but extremely timid and shy if it finds itself observed. 



-f-IS. Tyrannus rostratus, Sclater. Rainbird. 



I think that I may reasonably include this bird as one of the 

 resident species, as I have seen it in the island during every 

 month from December to July inclusive. On the 7tli June, 

 1888, we obtained a nest with four eggs incubated, which 

 was placed on the frond of a high palm-tree in the garden of 

 Erdiston House. The nest was a slight fabric, composed of 

 dried grass and roots. The eggs are very handsome, creamy 

 white, with chocolate blotches at the larger end. 



-|-19. Chordeiles virginianus (Sw.). Goatsucker. 



Probably an annual visitor during the autumn, as a bird 

 either of this or of some closely allied species is well known to 

 the sportsmen of the island. I am indebted to Mr. Herbert 

 Hart for a male specimen of C. virginianus, whicli he obtained 

 in St. Philip^s parish on the 29th September, 1887. 



-f-20. EuLAMPis HOLosERiCEUS (Linn.). Doctor-bird. 



Is extremely common and not at all shy. I did not ob- 

 tain its nest. There is very little difference in the plumage 

 of the sexes, but I fancy the female has a somewhat longer 

 bill than the male. The trivial name of Doctor-bird, so 

 frequently applied to Humming-birds in the West-Indian 

 Islands, takes its origin, I believe, from the apothecaries 

 having usually been the taxidermists throughout the West 

 Indies, so that the negroes finding a sale for these birds with 

 them, conceived the idea that they were used for medicinal 

 purposes. 



