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S. Porter—A West Indian Diary



its loud notes can often be heard and the bird seen in the dense forest

trees. It is rather similar to the European Black, but the black

plumage is relieved with white on the throat, wing coverts, and under

parts. Much less seen than the foregoing is the very striking “ Glass

Eye ” of the native or Jamaican Thrush (Turdus jamaicenses), a bird

with an extraordinary glass-like eye, hence the common name. This bird

is found only in the mountain recesses and seldom near the habitations

of human beings. The old black parson had a very fine specimen of

this bird, but he refused to be tempted by any price, saying that the

bird was now very rare and if he parted with it he would be unable

to get another. I believe this bird has a very fine song. Of the

magnificent Man-o’-War or Frigate Bird ( Fregata magmficens) I saw

many specimens flying over the beaches and mangrove swamps on

the north coast. These birds spend a good deal of their time resting

on the tallest branches of the mangrove trees. They are often

encountered on tropical oceans great distances from land. In spite

of their great wings and almost complete aerial existence, the birds

seem rather clumsy on the wing ; they give the impression that their

wings are too big to be properly controlled. The feet of the Frigate

Birds are so weak and inadequate that they only walk with the greatest

difficulty.


Mr. Mowbray, of Bermuda, had one of these birds as a pet; he

had had it for over two years and it was brought in the first place

from the Cocos Islands. The bird lived by a turtle pond, spending

most of its time on a perch about 18 inches from the ground. It some¬

times flew from the perch into the pond and only with the greatest

difficulty was it able to get out again. From the ground to the perch

was a small ladder to enable the bird to get back again. To do this

appeared to be a great effort, the huge bird taking tiny hops with its

inadequate feet and taking a considerable time to mount the small

ladder. Though full-winged the bird never flew away. It was fed on

live fish, which, with the almost perfect climate, no doubt accounted

for its surviving for so long.


I also saw several specimens of the Coot ( Fulica caribsea ) which

is found on the island : these birds somewhat resemble the Coot

of this country, but the frontal shield is bright red. These birds



