448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



be omitted, as it generally formed one of the crowd which 

 frequented the flowers of the "immortel." It was specially 

 abundant in Tobago. 



Mimus gilvus, Vieill. " St. Vincent Nightingale."— The local 

 name of this bird expresses the common opinion of its vocal 

 powers ; occasionally I heard it sing really well, but on the whole 

 I think it is a lazy songster. 



Ortalis ruficauda, Jard. " The Cockrico."— This bird I only 

 met in Tobago ; it is much sought after for the table, and is fast 

 retiring before " civilization." Its flesh is somewhat similar to a 

 Pheasant. I found it very wary, and its note is fairly described 

 by its local name, many times repeated, which is to be heard at a 

 great distance. 



Momotus swainsoni, Scl. "King of the Woods." — Only pro- 

 cured in Tobago. 



Turdus gymnophthalmus, Cab. — Plentiful in both Trinidad 

 and Tobago, but more wild in the latter island, where it is shot 

 for the table. 



Galbula ruficauda, Cuv. " The Jacomar." — This lovely bird 

 is one of the most expert flycatchers I ever observed. A pair 

 were seen digging their nesting site in a bank of earth in Savana 

 Grande. 



Actitis macularia, Linn. " Sandpiper." — Common on the 

 shores of Trinidad and Tobago. 



Myiadectes sibilans, Lawr. " The Souffriere Bird." — So re- 

 tiring is this bird, which is found round the twin craters of St. 

 Vincent, that I could obtain no description even of its colours. 

 Not until an altitude of 4000 ft. is attained is its exquisite and 

 varied flute-like whistle heard. It is so marvellously shy that I 

 had to make two ascents before I obtained a specimen ; it seemed 

 almost to possess ventriloquistic powers. 



In conclusion, I desire to express my indebtedness to Mr. 

 Ernst Hartert for the identification of the species. 



