I 2A. Field, Birds of Port Henderson, Jamaica, W.I. Tapt'i 



which I visited on the island. The nests are placed on the broken tops of 

 the cactus, or in convenient places a short distance from the ground, — a 

 habit probably acquired since the introduction of the mongoose, and a 

 habit which alone can have saved this beautiful little Dove from exter- 

 mination. 



41. Cathartes aura (Linn.). John Crow. — Very common. The sani- 

 tary mainstay of the inhabited sections. A native would almost prefer to 

 kill a man rather than a John Crow. A more suitable name would be 

 King Crow, for he reigns supreme. 



I watched carefully, but without success, for C. atrata, being very con- 

 fident that from long familiarity I could recognize his mode of flight. 



42. Strix flammea furcata ( Temm.). Screech Owl; White Owl. — 

 Common, particularly about the old church belfries and in caves. 



43. Crotophaga ani {Linn.). Blackbird. — Common a short distance 

 from the sea shore. Nesting season, July. Nests rather bulky and placed 

 in the tops of trees. One nest was found containing 20 eggs, apparently 

 laid by several females. The usual number secured were 4 or 5 in a nest. 



44. Saurothera vetula (Linn.). Old-man-bird. — Not common. Gen- 

 erally found among the low cashaw bushes and in the thickets. More 

 numerous farther inland. 



45. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.). May- bird. — Common. May 29 I 

 found a nest with 7 eggs in the mangrove swamp. The nesting season 

 continues until the middle of July. With the exception of C. ani it is the 

 most abundant Cuckoo in this locality. Nests most commonly in the 

 cashaw trees. 



46. Coccyzus minor (GnieL). May-bird. — Common, though far out- 

 numbered bj' C. americana. 



47. Todus viridis (Linn.). Robin-red-breast. — Common. This 

 usually inconspicuous little bird attracts considerable attention when 

 indulging in his outburst of successive plaintive calls, sitting in full view 

 on a dead Limb, as if with intention to attract the eye to his delicate green 

 plumage set off by the bright red throat. He is found in greater numbers 

 further inland where the vegetation is more luxuriant and where the culti- 

 vated ground ensures an abundance of exposed banks in which it burrows. 

 The burrows usually run straight into the bank for a few inches, then turn 

 at right angles and extend for several feet parallel with the face of the 

 bank. At the end the highly polished white eggs are deposited, usually 

 in April and May. 



48. Centurus radiolatus ( Wagl.). — Common. One cannot go through 

 the fields of Guinea grass, in which stand the huge cashaw trees, without 

 being reminded of the apple orchards of the northern United States. He 

 could not fail, too, to be arrested by the cry of this common Woodpecker, 

 so loud in proportion to the size of the bird. 



On an early morning walk I was attracted by an amusing incident. A 

 Woodpecker was making the chips fly vigorously digging out a larva from 

 a dead branch. About six feet away sat a 'Loggerhead' (Pitangus caudi- 

 fasciatus). When the Woodpecker finally reached the succulent grub, 



