48 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



catalogvf: ol the birds of bohinica frou ( oli-i:( ho\« 

 'iawb: for the Smithsonian institution by Frederick a. 

 ober, together with his notes and observations. 



By GEORGE ]\. LAWRENCE. 



In the Annals of the Xew York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1, p. 40, I 

 called attention to the explorations in the Lesser Antilles that were 

 being made by Mr. P. A. Ober, giving an account of his progress up to 

 that time in the island of Dominica, and stating that when his final 

 collection from there was received, a catalogue of the birds obtained 

 and noticed by him would be published. 



When his last collection came to baud, it was found that the publica- 

 tion of the promised catalogue would be delayed ; it was therefore 

 deemed best to give a provisional list of the species in Forest and 

 Stream j this appeared in the issue of December C, 1877. 



On his second visit to Dominica, Mr. Ober had an attack of fever, 

 which debarred him from concluding his explorations satisfactorily. 

 Several species that were seen by him, but not procured, he was able 

 to identify. A few other birds were heard of, but the descriptions given 

 of them were insufficient for their identification ; these being undoubted 

 inhabitants of the island are included in the catalogue, with such infor- 

 mation as he could obtain concerning them. Some of these species Mr. 

 Ober hopes to have procured for him by residents, who promised to make 

 efforts to do so. 



Mr. Ober is entitled to much credit for his industry and perseverance 

 thus far, and his notes testify that his heart is in the enterprise. 



Besides birds, he has sent valuable collections in other branches of 

 science. 



I have received from him, by way of introduction to this catalogue, 

 the following interesting account of the physical features of Dominica, 

 with incidents of his movements, localities where birds were procured, 

 etc. 



All of his communications and notes are designated by quotation- 

 marks. 



The arrangement of this catalogue is the same as that of the Noinen- 

 clator Avium Neotropicalium, by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin. 



u The island of Dominica is 1*5 miles in length by 10 in breadth. It 

 i s mountainous in character, consisting of a central ridge running north 

 and south, from which chain project hills and spurs east and west; thus 

 the entire island is but a succession of hills and valleys, the latter ever 

 narrowing into ravines and gorges, from which pour foaming streams 

 and torrents. 



u The coast-line is for the greater part bold and precipitous, sonic oi 

 the hills slope gently to the sea, and some of the valleys open up 

 spacious bays, which, though not deep, afford good anchorage on the 

 Caribbean side for small craft. From the volcanic nature of this island. 



