BIRDS OF POETO RICO. 45 



flushed at the edge of a mangrove swamp December 22. The fact that these 

 snipe occur on the island in the winter months is unknown to most sportsmen, 

 but apparently they are to be found about fresh-water marshes and swamps in 

 fair numbers difring early winter. 



Food. — The stomach of one bird contained bits of a water boatman {Corixa 

 sp.), remains of two larval water scavenger beetles, and fragments of an ant, 

 all of which amounted to 30 per cent of the bulk. Mole cricket remains 

 {Scapteriscus didactylus), an interesting find in the stomach of this bird, 

 amounted to 10 per cent. Vegetable matter (60 per cent) was composed mainly 

 of bits of grass, wood, etc., while three seeds of guinea grass (Panicum sp.) 

 and one'of sedge {Carex sp.) were identified. Examination of a large number 

 of stomachs of this snipe might show that it is an important enemy of the 

 changa. 



BLACK-JIECKED STILT. Hlmantopus mexicanus (Mtiller). 

 Viuda, Playante, YegUete, Zancudo. 



The black-necked stilt is a resident species formerly common everywhere in 

 the lagoons. Gundlach (1878, p. 377) records it from Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, 

 Boqueron, and the Rio Arecibo. At present it is found commonly only in the 

 extensive lagoons and swamps between Salinas and Guayama, at the Laguna de 

 Guanica and around Boqueron, and only stragglers occur in other localities. In 

 March, 1900, the birds were reported as occasional on Vieques (Richmond MS.). 

 When feeding they wade among the plants in water almost to their bodies, 

 swimming when beyond their depth, or else pick their way along the muddy 

 shores of the lagoons, gleaning as they go. The breeding season extends 

 apparently from the last of April to the first of June, and at that time the birds 

 are very noisy. Long before the marshes are reached their notes may be heard, 

 and as one approaches stilts come flying out rather slowly, the long legs 

 stretched out behind, calling kek JceJc kek loudly. As they pass overhead they 

 circle rapidly, but are easily killed and are too often a mark for the sportsman. 

 That the male assists in incubation is evidenced by two prominent incubation 

 patches, one on either side of the breast, found in birds secured in April and 

 May. 



Food. — Two stomachs of the stilt were examined and found to contain animal 

 matter only. Water boatmen {Corixa sp.) were present in large numbers and 

 form more than half the bulk. Small fish scales amount to 40 per cent, and 

 the remainder consists of miscellaneous matter. Though many fish are eaten, 

 the birds would be harmful only in the immediate vicinity of a fish hatchery. 



LAUGHING GULL. Larus atrivilla Linnaeus. 



Gaviota, Palomita, Foeasteea, GALLEGOj Gaviota Boba. 



The laughing gull is a species fairly common along the seacoast of Porto 

 Rico, Vieques, and Culebra. Bowdish (MS.) found them common around Mona 

 August 9 to 21, 1901. In San Juan Harbor only an occasional bird was seen 

 during the winter months, but by July there were numbers. On Culebra they 

 were common after April 15 in the harbor, and I heard and saw them fre- 

 quently. Around Desecheo the middle of June there were about 30, though none 

 seemed to be breeding. They were continually passing up and down the coast, 

 calling and scolding whenever I was in sight. At times they came around my 

 camp to investigate the refuse, but otherwise were rather wild. Their flight 

 is strong and direct. 



Food. — Fish remains comprised 70 per cent of the contents of two stomachs 

 and in one was found a crab {Plagusia depressa). Gulls are always largely 



