PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 57 



sclateri, presented by Dr. Gundlach — this is much smaller than the 

 above, measuring in length 4J in. ; wing, 2 T 5 W ; tail, lf^. 



27. Saltator guadeloupensis, Lafr. — Local name, " Grosbec ". 



" Found among the bushes and low trees fringing the cleared valleys 

 and open plateaus. Its clear note makes it a marked bird in the breed- 

 ing season. Found eggs in May. Inhabitant of both coasts. Kot 

 abundant. 



"Length, 8£ in. ; alar extent, 12J ; wing, 4 ; tail, 3|, 9. 



u Length, 8J in. ; alar extent, 12J ; wing, 4 ; tail, 3§, $ . 



" Nest obtained at St. Marie, Indian country, May 1, 1877 ; lays from 

 two to three eggs at a time." 



The sexes do not differ in plumage. The nest is made of the stems of 

 coarse grasses, and though appearing to be loosely put together, yet is 

 quite compact; there are a few finer stems at the bottom of the cavity. 

 The outer diameter is 5J inches, height 3 inches, depth of cavity If 

 inches. The eggs are light greenish-blue, with a few irregular black 

 markings on the larger end; the length is 1.06 of an inch, the width .80. 



Fam. FMNGILLIDiE. 



28. Loxigilla noctis (Linn.). — Local name, Moisson ; Pere Noir; Sparrow. 



" The male is black, the female gray, I have no doubt, as they are 

 always seen together. Yery common, especially on old plantations; 

 make their nests in low trees and stout shrubs. The nest sent, with 

 three eggs, was obtained in Shawford Valley, March 21, 1877. 



"Length, 5J in.; alar extent, 9; wing, 3 ; tail, 2f , S. 



"Length, 5J in.; alar extent, 8J; wing, 2£; tail, 2£, 2." 



The nest under examination is placed in the upright trifurcated 

 branch of a prickly shrub or tree, and is thus supported behind and on 

 each side ; it is a large and loosely formed structure, composed of fine 

 stems of plants, dried leaves, and small, dried plants; it is covered 

 over or domed, and has a large opening in front, the lower part, which 

 is the nest proper, is more compact, and is lined at the bottom with 

 fine, soft grasses or stems of plants ; the height of the nest outside is 8 

 inches, the breadth 5; the opening in front has a diameter of 3 inches ; 

 depth of cavity, 2 inches. The complement of eggs is three. Those sent 

 differ much in size and appearance. One is nearly white, marked with 

 minute pale spots of reddish-brown, quite evenly distributed ; this 

 measures .80 by .62 of an inch. Another, of about the same size, is 

 more conspicuously spotted; at the larger end densely so; size, .78 by 

 ,57. The last is much smaller, the spots larger and darker; it is closely 

 spotted all over, the spots not confluent at the larger end ; it measures 

 .72 by .50. 



Mr. Sclater speaks of the single specimen from St. Lucia (P. Z. S. 

 1871, p. 271), and referred to this species as differing from a Martinique 



