^So? 1 ] Field, Birds of Port Henderson, Jamaica, W.I. \17. 



30. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.). Guinea-hen Plover. — Small flocks 

 appeared August 2. 



31. Actitis macularia (Linn.). — Resident, but not common. 



32. Charadrius squatarola (Linn.). Gray Plover. — A single bird 

 seen June 1. 



33. iEgialitis wilsonia (Ord). — Common. Breeds on the sandy cays 

 and salinas (low saline plains along the coast). 



34. Arenaria interpres (Linn.). — June 12 shot two in immature plumage. 



35. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). Quail. — One of the many birds 

 which are being rapidly exterminated by the mongoose. Formerly abun- 

 dant, it has become very scarce in the last two or three years. A few 

 flocks may still be found in St. Andrew's Parish. 



36. Columba leucocephala (Linn.). Bald-pate. — Very common. A 

 prime favorite with sportsmen and natives. Breeds in the mangrove 

 swamps. On June 6 I found many nests with young, while several con- 

 tained newly laid eggs. The young are taken in numbers from the nests 

 by the negroes and reared in confinement. Nearly every hut appeared to 

 have several pairs of squabs, which were being raised on rice and fruit of 

 the cactus, — a style of dry nursing upon which they seemed to thrive 

 very well. 



Aug. 4, at Pelican Cay, we found them nesting in considerable num- 

 bers. The close season was off July 25, and on the island we found four 

 or five men hidden in the bushes shooting the Pigeons as they came to 

 feed the young in the nests. A great number are thus killed, and at the 

 close of the day the accessible nests are rifled of the young birds. At 

 Pigeon Island we were told that the Pigeons bred in myriads; but we 

 found no trace of an unusual number. Whatever the place may have 

 been in the past, there remained nothing remarkable as a Pigeon rookery. 

 There were many nests on the southern side of the island ; of those exam- 

 ined four contained eggs, while there were many with young birds. 



From these and other observations it would seem desirable for the 

 preservation of one of the finest game birds of Jamaica that the close 

 season should be extended to August 10 or 15 at least. 



37. Engyptila jamaicensis (Linn.). White-belly. — Common. Dur- 

 ing the breeding season at least it spends much time in the cover of the 

 bushes, traveling over the ground at a very rapid walk in search of food. 

 Its range seems to be more especially confined to the hills. 



3S. Zenaida zenaida (Bona/).). Pea Dove. — Very common. Most 

 abundant about the cultivated sections. Found nesting in June. 



39. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn.). White-wing. — Very common ; prob- 

 ably the most abundant of the Columbidse. Breeds in considerable 

 numbers in the mangrove swamps; the nests are also to be found, though 

 less frequently, on the wooded hills. Was found nesting in June and 

 early July. 



40. Columbigallina passerina (Linn.). Ground Dove. — Very common 

 at Port Henderson and vicinity, — much more so than at any other point 



