PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES XATIOXAL MUSETTU. 193 



Fam. ALCEDiyiDJE. 



26. "Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). 



" Xot abundant. The same habits as the Northern Kingfisher : must 

 be a resident. Have seeu it in Dominica in April and September; here 

 from October to February." 



Fam. CUCULTD-E. 



27. Coccyzus minor (Gm.). 

 " 4 Cuckoo, Manioc/ 



" Wherever there is a field with low bushes, or dense clumps of man- 

 goes with open spaces intervening, on hillsides as well as plains, this 

 bird may be found. Its peculiar cry is said to be heard always before 

 a rain, giving it the name of 4 Rain Bird * — a name, however, not confined 

 to this species, as local names are given without any reason, except the 

 fancy of the people bestowing it." 



28. Crotophaga ani, Linn. 



" * Tick Bird/ 1 Chapman Bird/ 



" Introduced, but assimilates well. A lazy, unsuspicious bird, fre- 

 quenting cattle -fields, and delighting to congregate in bunches of half a 

 dozen or so in the tops of small trees. Is said to eat the cattle ricks, 

 and for this purpose was introduced. Is always in a state of emaciation, 

 but the stomach is generally well filled with ticks and small Coleoptera." 



Fam. PSITTACID.E. 



29. Chrysotis gnildingi (Vigors). 



"Length (fresh), <J, inches; alar extent, 32 J : wing, ItH : tail. 7 J. 



"Length (fresh), 9 , 1 9 inches: alar extent, 33: wing, 11. 



"Is confined to the great central ridge running through the island : 

 on this, aud on the thickly wooded spurs this parrot is found. Like 

 the Kamier, it feeds in the tops of the highest trees* and its season of 

 good couditiou is the later months in the year. Mates in Febrnary, 

 March, aud breeds in April and May. Is then most easily approached, 

 though ever shy aud vigilant. Is sometimes caught (but only by break- 

 ing a wing by a shot) and takes kiudly to confinement. Tbe governor 

 ot St. Yiueeut, G. Dundas, Esq., C. M. G., has two which can articulate 

 a tew words. As a rule, however, they are difficult to teach. This is 

 the only species on the island," 



I have appended a description of this rare and beautiful species. 



Malt. — The sinciput is of an ashy-white ; the feathers of the top of the 

 head have their bases pale orauge, which color increases until on the occi- 

 put the feathers are entirely of a fine orange; lores and around tbe eye 

 gra\ ish-white ; cheeks pale orauge ; the feathers of the sides of the ueck 

 aud throat are orange at base, termiuatiug with pale blue; the feathers 

 Proo. Nat. Mus, 7S 13 Oct. 1 3, 1 $7 >. 



