V "Lfn Field, Birds of Port Henderson, Jamaica, IV. 1. I 2 q 



and was holding it in his heak, with the enjoyment of anticipation, pre- 

 paratory to swallowing, the Loggerhead with a scream dashed at the 

 Woodpecker causing him to drop the food. The Woodpecker, however, 

 merely bent his head over and looked regretfully after the falling food, 

 but made no attempt to recover it; the robber quickly dashed down and 

 devoured the morsel. The Woodpecker accepted his ill luck as a matter 

 of course, and philosophically wasted no time over a spilled grub, but 

 went busily to work again. The Loggerhead stationed himself once more 

 near the apparently unconscious worker, and at the proper time attempted 

 to repeat the robbery; but the Woodpecker was on his guard and suc- 

 ceeded in swallowing the insect. This was repeated several times, Pitan- 

 gus evidently finding it more profitable to act as highwayman than to 

 hunt for himself. 



49. Nyctibius jamaicensis (Gmel. ). Patoo; Owl — Common. Much 

 esteemed as food by the negroes. This enormous Goatsucker may be 

 seen at dusk, perched upon a dead limb, or for many nights in succession 

 he may perch upon the ridge pole of the house. It appears to have favor- 

 ite resting places. It sits parallel with the limb. 



I could get no information as to the nesting habits of this bird; found 

 no one who had ever seen its egg. On the roof of the belfry of the church 

 at Old Harbor I was told there was an "Owl's nest." Examination showed 

 only a few leaves and straws and a quill feather of this bird. There is a 

 possibility that here may have been the nest. 



50. Chordeiles minor {Cab.). Gie-me-a-bit. — Common. Deposits 

 its egg (less commonly 2 eggs) on the sand flats and dried bed of the 

 salina. It is named by the negroes, and I am sure they regard it as a 

 most fitting name, but they would be more pleased if the sound could 

 be twisted into 'Gie-me-a-quattie.' Popular superstition has it that any 

 one who picks up the egg from the ground is certain to drop dead. The 

 belief has great weight with the majority, but occasionally one finds a 

 doubter who says he has "picked up the h'egg myself, Sir." 



51. Cypselus phcenicobius (Gosse). Rain-bird. — Very common a 

 short distance inland. Nests in the tops of the cocoanut trees. 



52. Hemiprocne zonaris (S/iaw). Rain-bird. — Not common. Aug. 7 

 saw a large flock flying with great chattering which could be heard some 

 distance. 



53. Lampornis mango (Linn.). Doctor-bird. — Common. The most 

 common Hummer in this dry section. Resort to the 'dildoes' for food. 

 I have repeatedly seen them catch small insects which were flying about 

 the cactus fruit. They also puncture the ripe cactus fruit and drink the 

 juice. 



May 29, they appeared to be breeding in the numerous islands of cactus 

 and cashaw, in the salina. Nests are said to be most commonly placed on 

 dead limbs and at considerable distance from the ground. 



54. Aithurus polytmus (Linn.). Doctor-bird. — Common a little 

 further inland, where the vegetation is more luxuriant. Young of the 

 year shot July 20. 



