MIMOCICHLA ALBIVENTRIS, Sclater. 
DOMINICA GREY THRUSH. 
Mimocichla ardesiaca albiventris, Sclater, P. Z. 8. 1889, p. 326; Cory, Cat. West-Indian Birds, 
p. 157 (1892). 
Mimocichla verrillorum, Allen, Auk, viii. pp. 217, 317 (1891) 
p. 33 (1892). 
Mimocichla albiventris, Allen, 2. c. 
; Verrill, Trans. Conn. Acad. viii. 
M. similis M. ardesiace, sed paulló minor, abdominis albedine magis extensa et pallidé cervino tincta. 
Tue distinctness of the Dominica Mimocichla from that inhabiting S. Domingo and Porto Rico was 
first pointed out by Dr. Sclater in his account of the collections made by Mr. Ramage in the island. 
Dr. J. A. Allen also came to the same conclusion from an examination of specimens obtained 
in Dominica by the brothers G. E. & A. H. Verrill, after whom Dr. Allen named the species. 
Although it is true that Dr. Sclater only looked upon the Dominican Mimocichla as a race of 
M. ardesiaca, and in his list of Mr. Ramage's birds actually speaks of it under the latter name, the 
title of albiventris which he applied to the Dominican bird, having priority, must be accepted for it. 
M. albiventris is certainly very closely allied to M. ardesiaca, but the typical specimens show 
much more white on the abdomen, as it extends over the lower breast as well; there is also a tinge 
of buff on the white abdomen, which Dr. Allen did not fail to point out, and the white tips to the 
tail-feathers are more extended in the Dominica form. A slight appearance of buff on the white 
abdomen is sometimes to be seeu in specimens of M. ardesiaca, and the extent of the white on this 
part of the body also varies in a series of individuals. 
Mr. Ramage obtained his two specimens at Batalie, in the dry region on the leeward or western 
side of the island, in March 1889. Messrs. Verrill met with the species at Lasswa, on the windward 
or eastern side, where it was very rare and shy. ‘They observe :—“ From the testimony of the natives 
and our own experience, its habitat is mainly confined to that portion of the island, though once or 
twice its notes were heard near Bass-en-ville. The notes were a shrill plaintive whistle." Ав the 
above-named writers remark, this is probably the No. 5 Thrush mentioned by Lawrence in his 
account of the collections made in Dominica by Mr. F. Ober, as having been “ described by several 
persons, something like the Thrush, but with yellow bill and legs; the nest and eggs being said by 
the natives to resemble those of the * Trembleur” (Cinclocerthia ruficauda)." 
The type-specimen measures :— Total length 9-5 inches, culmen 0:9, wing 47, tail 3:9, 
tarsus 155. According to Dr. Allen, there is no difference of any importance in the colour of the 
sexes; but the female obtained by Messrs. Verrill was slightly smaller than the male, and the abdomen 
more deeply tinted with yellowish buff: bill, legs, and feet yellow; iris dark brown. (Б. B. 5.) 
