6660 



Birds. 



And so far as the forest was concerned (and here it comprises all but the 

 small cleared patches), 1 found the observation much more accurate 

 than I supposed. I often rode for miles, carefully on the look out, 

 without seeing a single bird. Indeed, these vast wilds appeared like 

 mid-ocean, destitute of life, save at the edges and along the banks of 

 streams. It was not, however, silent, for it was rarely the long-drawn 

 bell-like note of the solitaire {Ptilogonys) was not audible at a greater 

 or less distance. I was already acquainted with it in the lower 

 mountains round Mahogany Hall ; but here it abounded, especially 

 towards the edges of the forest. I soon procured specimens, and saw 

 others sitting on branches, in the puffed, absorbed posture you de- 

 scribe. On my return, in April, they were completely gone ; so that 

 I have never heard the nuptial notes or seen the summer dress of this 

 interesting bird. It seems that we are not sufficiently elevated here 

 for their constant residence. Equalling the solitaire in its love of 

 solitude is your little Sylvicola pharetra, but not in sedentary habit ; 

 for if at rare intervals I came across an unusual bustle and flutter 

 among the twigs and leaves of the lower branches of some forest 

 giant, it generally proved this little bird. I have never met with it 

 but in the woods, and then quite alone. It was, however, at that 

 time far from abundant ; for, though constantly on the look-out, I 

 only got a single specimen in January, and another in the first two 

 weeks in February. But on my return, in April, a marked change 

 had taken place : the forest was no longer silent, but resounded with 

 the differing notes of myriads of birds, of many different species; and 

 in none was the accession in numbers more marked than in this Syl- 

 vicola. Their cheerful, busy flutter occurred over head at every few 

 yards in some districts. I easily procured several more specimens. 

 My impression is, so far as observations made in the two last weeks 

 of April go, that it migrates here in the spring, and that those met 

 with during the winter are only stragglers left behind. Since my 

 return, a few days ago, the rains have been so constant and heavy 

 that 1 have had no opportunity for ascertaining whether they are still 

 here, though I have little doubt of it. Very similar in habit and 

 habitat is the other species you discovered (S. pannosa). I procured 

 one a year ago near Grand Vale, but never met with it again till 

 I arrived here. I only procured a single specimen, hunting quite 

 alone in the undisturbed recesses of the forest. It proved, as yours, 

 also a female. The most careful search never procured me another, 

 though I was anxious to ascertain the plumage of the other sex. 

 However, in crossing the mountains between Clarendon and St. 



