20 2 Cory on Birds, of Cuba <ni(J Bahama Islands. [J"'y 



said of others who in their haste to get ahead of someone else, 

 have burdened om' hooks with endless synonymy, by describing 

 from insufficient material. Would science lose much if time were 

 taken by observers to gather suitable material before describing 

 a bird on the chance of its being new? I do not say that this is 

 entirely practicable, but I do say that when a man thinks that 

 specimens proving doubtful relationships may be obtained in any 

 given locality, he should at least endeavor to obtain them. If 

 time or means fail, it is his misfortune, although the adage 

 "Where there's a will there's a way," still has force. 



A LIST OF BIRDS TAKEN AND OBSERVED IN 



CUBA AND THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, 



DURING MARCH AND APRIL, 1S91. 



BY CHARLES B. CORY. 



During the past winter the writer visited Cuba and several of 

 the Bahama Islands, and although nothing new was discovered 

 in the way of birds or mammals, yet a list of the species noted is 

 useful in studying the geograjDhical distribution of insular forms, 

 as well as being likely to add to our knowledge of the line of 

 flight and season of migration of many of our North American 

 species. 



It is not intended to make this article more than a very con- 

 densed account of the roirte travelled and the diflerent place 

 visited, while giving a list of the species of birds observed and 

 taken during the trip. 



In a city like Havana, Cuba, the markets are always attractive 

 from a naturalist's standpoint, as there one finds various kinds of 

 birds, fish, and often mammals exposed for sale. Many birds are 

 trapped and brought in alive, either in cages or tied together by 

 their legs in bunches. Among the birds offered for sale in the 

 Havana market we observed Cuban Qiiails ( Colinus cubanensis) , ^ 

 Doves {Zenaida zenaida^ Cuban Meadow-larks {Stjirjiella ^ 

 /lippocrepis)^ Orioles {Icterus hvpomclas)^ and Guinea hens. ^ 

 There were also several cages of Blue-headed Qiiail Doves 



