122 Field, Birds of Port Henderson, Jamaica, W. I. [^, 



■ violaceus, Ardea fierodias, A. virescens, Ardetta exilis, N. nycticorax 

 ncevius. 



21. Aramus giganteus (Bonap.). Clucking-hen. — No longer common 

 about Port Henderson. Within a very few years it was found abundantly 

 in the dark woods and logwood swamps, between the Rio Cobre and 

 Ferry River. The mongoose is said to be responsible for its rapid dis- 

 appearance. It was much esteemed as food by the natives. 



22. Rallus longirostris caribaeus (Ridgtu.). Mangro'-hen. — Very 

 common in the mangrove swamp. Their strident voices mav be heard 

 in every direction in the early morning. Exceedingly wary and difficult 

 to see. Its nests are readily found; usually near the edge of the swamp, 

 in the center of a small isolated clump of bushes. The nest, about a foot in 

 diameter, is a collection of short, small, dead mangrove twigs resting in the 

 center of the bush and is built up about six to twelve inches above the 

 water. The nesting season is at its height in June. The eggs are col- 

 lected by the negroes and are esteemed a delicacy equal to 'Booby h'eggs.' 

 The breeding season is rather prolonged, a few eggs being still to be 

 found Aug. 15. 



23. Gallinula galeata (Licht.). Red-head Coot. — June 6, I shot young 

 birds nearly full grown. A female shot on the same day had eggs 

 nearly ready for depositing. An exploration of 'the bog' (the Cay- 

 manas bog on Ferry River) disclosed only empty nests. 



These birds breed in suitable places along Ferry River. I had planned 

 to make another trip to the above mentioned bog about June 18, but about 

 June 10 the long delayed 'May rains' set in and the entire region was 

 soon under water. A combination of circumstances prevented me from 

 making the second visit. 



In this locality Ionornis martinica, 'Plantain Coot,' as well as Porzana 

 jamaicensis, are said to breed. 



24. Fulica americana Gmel. White-head Coot; Bald-head Coot. — 

 A common resident in Jamaica, but much more abundant as a winter 

 resident. 



25. Himantopus mexicanus (Mull.). Red-legs. — Common, in flocks. 

 No evidence of their nesting at this time at this locality. 



26. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.). Guinea-hen Plover. — Appeared 

 in small flocks August 2. 



27. Tringa minutilla Vieill. — May 29, numerous small flocks seen. 

 June 10, saw a flock made up of T. minutilla and C. arenaria, bound 

 north. Aug. 2, large flocks of Least Sandpipers, returning from the 

 north. From these dates it will be noticed that the interval between the 

 departure of the last stragglers, and the return of the advanced guard from 

 the north is remarkably brief. 



28. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). — Flocks of Sanderlings seen in company 

 with Least Sandpipers, June 10. 



29. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.). — June 1, a few stragglers on the 

 northern migration. 



