18 BULLETIN 326, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



in winter. Richmond (MS.) notes specimens in a collection of birds in San 

 Juan, taken by Stahl. In general this species is said to resemble the Antillean 

 grebe, and probably agrees with it in food habits. 



[RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phaethon cethereus Linnaeus. 

 Gallixaza. 



The red-billed tropic bird is uncertainly attributed to Porto Rico, though there is reason 

 to suppose that it occurs occasionally at least. Catesby (1743, p. 14, Appendix) said 

 that the birds bred in great numbers on some little islands at the east end of Porto Rico. 

 Taylor (1864, p. 172* remarks under this species that he frequently saw tropic-birds fly- 

 ing about the harbor of San Juan, and all later authors appear to hare quoted him. In 

 habits, food, and general appearance it is said to resemble the yellow-billed species.] 



YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phaethon americanus Grant. 

 Gallixassa, Gaviota, Rabijunco, Chirre de Altura. 



The yellow-billed tropic bird is fairly common around Porto Rico. On the 

 wing it is very strong and graceful, beating back and forth with long tail feath- 

 ers blowing in the wind. The call note is a harsh, gull-like kik. 



July 5 three were seen near some rocky cliffs north of Quebradillas, where 

 they circled with rapidly beating wings about 40 feet above the water, swinging 

 far out to sea and then returning to the shore. Gundlach (1878, p. 419) found 

 them nesting on the rocky cliffs in this same locality. He secured fresh eggs 

 April 5, and describes the plumage of the young. 



Food. — Of two stomachs of this species available for examination one was 

 entirely empty, though the bird was taken in the midforenoon. The other con- 

 tained a few remains of fish bones. Fish undoubtedly form the great share of 

 their food. The birds are too few to be of economic importance and the fish 

 eaten are of little value. 



BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus Occident alis Linnaeus. 

 Alcatraz. 



The brown pelican is common in the coastal region of Porto Rico. Vieques, 

 and Culebra, but is not known around Desecheo and Mona Islands, where shal- 

 low protected bays are lacking. The birds occur more commonly where there 

 is shoal water over reefs, or in bays where small fish are abundant. The nest- 

 ing season probably begins in February and extends to September (Gundlach, 

 1878, p. 416). Richmond (MS.) saw a young bird in a store window in San 

 Juan March 29, 1900. Specimens seen in April and May had the seal-brown 

 feathers of the nuptial plumage on the back of the neck. The birds are said to 

 breed in June on sandy keys off the Playa at Humacao, and on the low flat 

 islet known as Caballo Blanco at the entrance of Port Mulas, Vieques Island. 

 On May 8 at Yabucoa a young bird three-quarters grown and well covered 

 with fine gray down was seen on a mud bank at the mouth of a river. It 

 showed no fear and was easily caught. "When examined it objected by snapping 

 the bill loudly, but did not attempt to bite. Upon being released it merely swam 

 off a few feet and then remained quiet on the surface of the water. 



Food. — The stomach and pouch of a specimen examined in the field contained 

 small fish only, and these apparently form the entire food. Unless about a fish 

 hatchery (and there are none at present in the islands) they are harmless and 

 worthy of protection. Though the fish taken are commonly used as food by man. 

 they are so abundant that the few eaten by the pelicans are negligible. 



RED-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula piscator (Linnaeus'). 

 Pajaro Bobo. 



Red-footed boobies were seen on Desecheo Island from June 13 to 16 and 

 were much fewer in number than the common booby. Those on the island. 



