38 BULLETIN 326, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



The clearing of the forest has done much to lessen the numbers of this bird, 

 while the mongoose without doubt takes its full share, living, as it does, upon 

 the ground; so that the limpkin is no longer valuable as a game bird, though 

 scattered individuals may survive for many years. Mr. Leop. B. Strube, of 

 the Hacienda Jobo, stated that there were still at least a dozen pairs on his 

 plantation living in a small tract of natural forest, and as they are protected 

 they will survive. Mr. Strube kindly presented the Biological Survey with a 

 specimen taken in June in that locality. 



MEXICAN JACANA. Jacana spinosa (Linnaeus). 

 Gallito. 



Gundlach (1878, p. 385) says that Blanco received a specimen of the Mexican 

 jacana in the flesh from Trujillo. There are no other records, and the bird 

 must be regarded as an accidental visitant. 



OYSTER-CATCHER. Hwmatopus palliatus (Temminck). 



CORACOLERO., OSTRERO. 



The oyster-catcher is reported as occurring occasionally on the islands of 

 Culebra and Culebrita. Gundlach (1878, p. 379) reports a specimen on the 

 authority of Blanco, taken near San Juan, and Stahl (1887, p. 449) says that 

 it was seen at the end of August, 1886. On the rocky beaches of Desecheo, 

 June 13 to 15, three were seen and others reported by fishermen, to whom they 

 are well known. From an economic standpoint this bird has no importance 

 whatever, but is worthy of protection because of its harmlessness. 



RUFOUS-NAPED PLOVER. Oehthodromus wilsonius rufinuchus (Ridgway). 



CORREDOR, FRAILECILLO CABEZON, PLAYERO, PLAYANTE. 



Gundlach (1878a, p. 189) found the rufous-naped plover at Cabo Rojo and 

 Arecibo in October and February and says (1878, p. 381) it is resident. Stahl 

 (1883, p. 63) also considered it a resident species and says emphatically that 

 it does not migrate. There is a specimen in the United States National 

 Museum, taken February 11, 1899, on Culebra by Dr. J. D. Milligan. Bowdish 

 (1902-3, p. 360) found these plovers on Vieques during November. Dr. Rich- 

 mond secured specimens in the same locality on March 27, 1900. The bird is 

 now rare, and none were seen during my work in this region. 



PIPING PLOVER. JEgialitis meloda Ord. 

 Playerc Playante, Frailecillo Melodico. 



Gundlach (1S74, p. 314) saw a piping plover in the Blanco collection, taken 

 near San Juan. Stahl (1883, p. 152) had two specimens (examined in 1900 by 

 Dr. Richmond) from Porto Rico, and says (1887, p. 449) that the birds arrive 

 the middle of August. The bird seems to be a rare migrant to the island. 



SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. Mgialitis semipalmata (Bonaparte). 

 PLAYERO, PLAYANTEj Frailecito, Frailecillo Chico. 



The semipalmated plover is at present apparently rather a rare migrant. One 

 was seen on the north coast of Vieques March 30, but was not secured. Gund- 

 lach (1878a, p. 189) records it as common in September at Mayagiiez and as 

 occurring in April, May, and June, while Sundevall (1869, p. 602) notes a speci- 

 men taken by Hjalmarson in winter. Stahl (1883, p. 152) had three specimens 

 in his collection, one of which was examined in San Juan by Dr. Richmond 

 (MS.), who also collected specimens March 5, 1900, at Luquillo, which were 

 not preserved.^ Stahl (1887, p. 449) notes that they arrive the middle of 

 August 



