74 
BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 
Winter Plumage , Female. — The black band wanting ; plumage 
slightly paler ; a pale ash-colored line from over the eye to sides of 
the neck ; crown showing a trace of brown, otherwise resembles 
the male. 
Length 5.50, wing 2.70, tail 2.36, tarsus .92, bill .72. 
The present species appears to be an exceedingly local and rare 
bird, all the known specimens having been taken upon the island of 
New Providence. During my visits to that island I had the good 
fortune to procure a female, which has been hitherto undescribed. 
Its habits appeared to be much the same as those of G. trichas , with 
the exception that it seemed to prefer somewhat higher and dryer 
ground than the latter species. Dr. Bryant states, “ The stomach 
and oesophagus of one contained the head and body of an Anolis, 
which, without the tail, measured ten inches and a half in length, 
showing rather a carnivorous propensity for a bird of this family.” 
It is easily distinguished from G. trichas by its great size, and 
the absence of white upon the abdomen. I give below the compara- 
tive measurement of a large specimen of G. trichas and G. rostratus , 
both taken in the same locality. 
Length. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Tarsus. 
Bill. 
G. 
trichas , 
4-50 
2.20 
2.25 
.80 
.40 
G. 
rostratus , 
5-50 
2.70 
2.36 
.92 
.72 
Of late years this bird has been classed as a large local variety 
of G. trichas ; but, after a careful comparison of several specimens 
with a large series of the latter, I have, without hesitation, restored it 
to the rank of a distinct species. 
