376 BULLETIN: MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 
within easy reach of even a beast which is strictly terrestrial. But the 
Perdrix Croissant is still locally abundant in many of the mountainous 
parts of Guadeloupe. Like the other species, it is a rain forest 
bird, frequenting the dense wet undergrowths. The dense woods, 
however, form an easy approach for the Mongoose. But the Perdrix 
Croissant seems to be slowly adapting itself to new conditions. To- 
wards evening small flocks fly down from the mountains to feed with 
the Tourterelles and Ortolans in the open clearings about the old 
cane-fields. My guides informed me that this habit had been re- 
cently acquired. It certainly helps to protect the birds from the 
stealthy approach of a Mongoose. ; 
The Perdrix Croissant is ranked throughout Guadeloupe, as one of 
the best game-birds. The natives formerly caught them with hoops 
fitted with wire snares, and brought great numbers tomarket. During 
my stay on the island I never saw a single Perdrix sold in a village 
market. 
19. CoccyzUs MINOR DOMINICAE Shelley. 
Coucou Manioc. Oiseau de Pluie. 
Four adults from Ste. Rose, July 13th-19th, six adult and half- 
grown specimens from Goyave, August 20th, September Ist. 
I have compared a series of eight specimens from Dominica with 
eight adults from Guadeloupe and have not been able to find any 
appreciable difference between them. My Guadeloupe birds, in spite 
of the fact that they are in the worn summer plumage, seem to be a 
trifle darker than the Dominica birds and they also average slightly 
larger. -But I prefer to regard this rather a tendency toward differ- 
entiation than a real racial distinction. The Guadeloupe birds mea- 
sure: — wing 142.62; tail 163.69; exposed culmen 29.14; tarsus 
29.74. 
Locally distributed throughout the lower uplands of Guadeloupe, 
the Cuckoo is a conspicuous bird because of its slow and clumsy move- 
ments. It is confined to the low wooded hills, and not met with at 
all in the Mangrove swamps where I had been led to expect it. 
The only cry I heard was a resonant guttural chuckle. On dull 
days this peculiar call is often heard in the hills. The natives believe 
the call to be a sure sign of heavy rain and hence they call the bird 
l’Oiseau de Pluie. 
