198 



a race of martinica. Von Berlepsch (Proc. Fourth Int. Orn. 

 Congress, 1907, p. 384), however, treated the two. forms as 

 specifically distinct on color characters, but overlooked the 

 structural differences which prove that the two birds belong to 

 distinct species. 



No work treating with all the forms of Elaenia martinica has 

 been published in recent years. Von Berlepsch, in an account of 

 the entire genus in the Proceedings of the Fourth International 

 Ornithological Congress, recognized six races of this species, 

 three of which he described as new. Ridgway (Birds No. and 

 Mid. Am., part 4, 1907) recognized flavogastra and subpagana 

 in addition to the typical form. 



In this review I recognize six forms, admitting one that von 

 Berlepsch synonymized, and rejecting one that the same authority 

 described from discolored specimens. 



Elaenia martinica martinica (Linne). 



Muscicapa martinica Linne, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, vol. 1, 1766, p. 325 (Marti- 

 nique; ex Brisson, Ornithologie, vol. 2, 1760, p. 362, pi. 36, fig. 2). 



Subspecific characters. — Above olive to deep olive, darker on the head, lighter 

 on the rump; in some individuals the feathers with darker centers. Below very 

 variable, but generally with a grayish band across the breast (this band some- 

 times with an admixture of olive); throat white or grayish; posterior under 

 parts sometimes white or grayish, sometimes evenly washed with barium 

 yellow, sometimes flammulated yellow and white, or yellow and gray; flanks 

 generally more olivaceous. 



Measurements. — Male: wing, 76.5-87; tail, 71-83; bill from base, 13-16; 

 tarsus, 20-22. Female: wing, 72-81; tail, 65-78; bill from base, 13-15; tarsus, 

 18-21.5. 



Range.- — I have been unable to find any characters by which 

 specimens from the following islands may be differentiated: St. 

 Eustatius, St. Kitts, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, 

 St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Mustique. Specimens from Saba, 

 Montserrat, and Marie Galante not seen. 



Remarks.- — Elaenias are common and characteristic species on 

 all the islands just mentioned. They occur in nearly all situa- 

 tions except perhaps on the higher summits, where the clouds hang 

 low .most of the time and where the stunted trees reek with 

 moisture. 



The species has a variety of notes, the one most frequently 

 heard being the characteristic whee, like the sound made by 

 breath sharply indrawn or suddenly expelled. Another note may 

 be written pewit, pewit, pewit, rapidly uttered, and yet another is 

 a sputtering in which the syllables pewit are mingled. Elaenias 

 give the impression of laziness or at least deliberateness in their 

 actions. They do not choose a conspicuous perch from which 

 they might sally forth after flying insects, but feed upon ripe 

 berries and probably such insects as may be picked off twigs and 

 leaves.. 



Elaenia martinica barbadensis (Cory). 



Elainea barbadensis Cory, Auk, vol. 5, 1888, p. 47 (Barbados). 



Subspecific characters. — -Similar to E. m. martinica, but with a relatively 

 longer tail, equal to or longer than the wing, and with longer bill and tarsus. 



