5G8 Mr. M. J. Nicoll on Birds 



standing, and I saw a Quiscalus perched on it. The vegetation 

 is beginning to grow again, and I noticed a small banana- 

 tree. Tropic-birds (Phaethon) were flying high overhead, and 

 I observed a small flock of Finches (Euethia bicolor) amongst 

 the ruins. 



After spending a couple of hours on shore at St. Pierre, 

 we left Martinique, and the same afternoon (Feb. 7th) 

 anchored in Roseau Harbour, Dominica. Next morning, 

 after having obtained permission from the Administrator, I 

 went out shooting, and obtained on this and the next day 

 examples of the following seventeen species : — 



Thryotiiorus rufescens Lawr. 



Thryothorus rufescens Cory, B. W. I. p. 38. 



The two shot were the only examples of this species seen. 

 The first was by the roadside, creeping about a bank ; the 

 other was found amongst some stones in the lime-groves. I 

 heard no note uttered by either of these birds. 



Dendrceca ruficapilla (Gmel.). 



Dendroica petechia melanoptera Cory, B. W. T. p. 45. 



Mr. Ridgway, in his ' Birds of Middle and N. America ' 

 (vol. ii. p. 523), has revised the group of Golden Warblers, 

 and has assigned the specific name ruficapilla, instead of 

 melanoptera, to this species. I have followed his lead 

 throughout (except as regards trinomials), as I have not 

 nearly large enough series of the different species to arrive 

 at any definite conclusions. So far as my experience goes, I 

 find that specimens from different islands often grade into 

 one another, and I venture to say that there have been too 

 many species or subspecies made in this very difficult group. 



The present species is fairly numerous amongst the lime- 

 bushes. Its song is pleasant and wren-like. I obtained 

 three specimens. 



Dendrceca plumbea Lawr. 



Dendroica plumbea Cory, B. W. T. p. 54. 



I shot a single example of this species by the roadside not far 

 from the Botanical Gardens. It was the only one that I saw. 

 I do not think that it is abundant, at any rate near the coast. 



