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REBouND /938
Hibrary of the Museum
OF
COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,
AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS,
Bi
<8 or
Department of fhe Snferior: | U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM.
es i eee |
LIBRARY
VUS COME ZOOLOGS
CAMORCOGE, (0,
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
ye ‘_ >
» t Pal a) 4 i ie * yt,’ Pon
: CN Gor Fe ay X ‘ 1878.
-: ___ PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. |
LS $9.
YOCIGOS S08 ET SeAMDUIAG AD
&
a
{ze
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Bean, Tarleton H. Description of a New Sparoid Fish, Sargus Holbrookii, from Savan-
Mi See << aiwexei a 2) sass wee ce komik bie 2. oes anne S lai oddest TIF. aks daiwa sil sores On the Occurrence of Sticheus punctatus (Fabr.) Kroyer, at St. Michael's, Alaska. -..-.-- ——- Be the Identity of “peat tote i Putnamt Gill, with Pleuronectes glaber (Storer) Gill,
See also under Goode and Bean. |
Belding, E. A Partial List of the Birds of Central California..-...........-. ee Pe Pare Cook, Caleb. The Manufacture of Porpoise-Oil...............-.---..-.------..- | age SOR Dali, W. HEE. Descriptions of New Forms of Mollusks from Alaska contained in the Collec-
tions of the National Museum ....-.-..-.. (Sows Sn Ries fon RNR Sadat, ted load de wenden Postpliocene Fossils in the Coast Range of Califormia..-..-...--...--.2s.2e00--------.00 5 Fossil Mollusks from Later Tertiaries of California. ....--..---2..---..26.2.22-------25- Note on Shells from Costa Rica Kitchenmidden, collected by Drs. Flint and Bransford -. ears or Cantorman Tertiary Fossils... -- 23.2 S22i 5s. Sinan cele nae ass +. ese deeds Descriptions of New Species of Shells from California in the Collections of the Na- III fe Se Se ek an ORR ep I see ltp SaSae iN oes dee td
Report on the Limpets and Chitens of the se. 7 apa Arctic Regions, with Descrip-
tions of Genera and Species believed to be new Edwards, Vinal N, On the Occurrence of the Oceanic Bonito, Orcynus pelamys (Linné)
Deoy, ie Weneeeee SOMME, Mang . .. 2.020052 25 25 aus 25h. 5: hansed Seen ds gation done hs oceans eale Gill, Theodore. Synopsis of the Pediculate Fishes of the Eastern Coast of Extratropi-
EE RECS os 5 san 7 20 aa ee aa ew ack wd oe RE ates FF zee Ste Gal Gee Antemnariide .. i. o226 42 ned foes sads 3 ewan se axdsacdoas 352-41 ous kee nse css — On the Preper Specific Name of the cami eae Sided Pterophryne te (GES a ag st tae bal Sea a ap ehbedeat wiris>- ondswt = «.2hesduceeud J GAGS BNO MME =< nk A wns See ck oo abs cawede Darter e Hep aa teks o cade cae 12k te
Goode, G. Brown. The Clupea tyrannus of Latrobe. .............-..-22224----2-2200-seees
— The Occurrence of Belone latimanus in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts..-.....-.......--. — The Voices of Crustaceans. ..-.........-....--- Pat ake ie Sakis hates da tennl 12 Ba
A Revision of the American Species of the Genus Brevoortia, with a Description of a rr erate Sheth, Idee Gs ee METIS. wade sgh deste ages o hach soni ans eda nee des os fe SSn ws
The Occurrence of Hippocampus antiquorum, or an Allied Form, on Saint Ceorge’s
Te ee ee
—_ The Occurrence of the Canada Porcupine i oe 2 ele a ens fle ese eae On Two Fishes from the Bermudas mistakenly described as new by Dr. Ginther
Goode, G. Brown, and Tarleton H. Bean. The Craig Flounder of Europe, Glyp-
tocephalus cynoglossus, on the Coast of North America ............-.-------------+---------- — The Oceanic Bonito on the Coast of the United States ...............-------.--.-------- oe ae of Caulolatilus microps, a New Species of Fish from the Gulf Coast of
we
Descriptions of Two New Species of Fishes, Lutjanus Blackfordii and Lutjanus enn ens OIL ARE SO MPR Se ee aE So dete oop ube scanew co cindes sehen snes
—— A Note upon the Black Grouper (Epinephelus nigritus (Holbrook) Gill) of the Southern
—— Descriptions of Two Gadoid Fishes, Phycis Chesteri and Haloporphyrus viola, from the
Deep-Sea Fauna of the Northwestern Atlantic. ...........---..--..2----2------ eee eee eee eee Description of Argentina syrtensium, a New Deep-Sea Fish from Sable Island Bank ...-. The Identity of Rhinonemus caudacuta (Storer) Gill with Gadus cimbrius Linn. .-..--.--- Note on Platessa ferruginea D. H. Storer, and Platessa rostrata H. R. Storer ......------- — On the Identity of Brosmius americanus Gill, with Brosmius brosme (Miller) White ...
ul
Page.
198 279
345 463
388 16
264 462
y~ avd hale ws
eas
IV | _ TABLE OF ee e
Jackson, J.B.S., M.D. Arsenic Acid for protecting Anatomical Prepertons si m
Jefferson, Lieut. J. P., Dr. Joseph Y. Porter, and Thomas Moore. an ; Destruction of Fish in_ the Vicinity of the Tortugas during the months of September and October, LOTS © tse eee ie oe eee oe eee eee eet enews sn dicec el 244 i
69
Jordan, David S., M.D. Notes on a Collection of Fishes from Clackamas River, Oregon-. 69 Jordan, David S., and Charles H. Gilbert. Notes on the Fishes of Beaufort Harbor, __ North Carsltha. 2. sod. oo oo oe ep ce nn 2 ee es Ce a » «Wt 365 Lawrence, George N. Catulogue of the Birds of Tiecaiien from Collections made for the Smithsonian Institution by Frederick A. Ober, together with his Notes and Observa- GONG 2 eos oe nes Sein Je ye os cece w a ence cece oa cee cece eeu e ne Ge nes oie etal ete ere ee pe Ar! Catalogue of the Birds of St. Vincent, from Collections made by Mr. Fred. A. Ober, * relias under the Directions of the Smithsonian Institution, with his Notes thereon................. 185 Catalogue of the Birds of Antigua and Barbuda, from Collections made for the Smith. = = sonian Institution, by Mr. Fred. A. Ober, with his Observations .................2-...---+--s 332. - Catalogue of the Birds of Grenada, from a Collection made by Mr. Fred. A. Ober for the © ig a Smithsonian Institution, including others seen by him, but not obtained ...........-.-...... 265 — } Catalogue of the Birds collected in Martinique by Mi. Fred. A. Ober for the Smithsonian 2 Tnstitntion .... 22... .ccac ence dade encca sp ne | Sms vam een ale eee An ee ee etme see ae eee 349 Catalogue of a Collection of Birds obtained in Guadeloupe for the Smithsonian Institu- tion, by Mr. Fred. A. Ober 2.0.2... cncesecccecuesiesstcuass cabagues=ssstneeky ene enene 449 A General Catalogue of the Birds noted from the Islands of the Lesser Antilles visited by Mr. Fred. A. Ober; with a Table showing their Distribution, and those found in the United StAEOR os Saco ccc mec c meet cnr easeee supe cpseccectnes cops dub ssinns ces aan Ameen 486 Lupton, Prof. N.T. On the Breeding Habits of the Sea-Catfish (Ariopsis Wilberti?) ....... 278 Merrill, Dr. James C., U.S.A. Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas, being a List of Birds observed in the Vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas, from February, 1876, to June, 1878.. 118 Poey, Felipe. Notes on the American Species of the Genus Cybiwim .......2.-.+.20++- devhen 3 Pratt, Capt. R.H., U.S.A. Catalogue of Casts taken by Clark Mills, Esq., of the Heads of Sixty-four Indian Prisoners of Various Western Tribes, and held at Fort Marion, Saint Augus- tine, Fla., in Charge of Capt. R. H. Pratt, UCB, Aucevunes sions dassenh pdpeypaeuen ene evden Se Ridgway, Robert. Ona New Humming Bird (Atthis Ellioti) from Guatemala............... 8 ek A Review of the American Species of the Genus Scops, Savigny .....-..-..--pecceeceeese 85 "RO Descriptions of Several New Species and Geographical Races of Birds contained in the 4 Collection of the United States National Museum. ......... cc... 220. cee soeesecwennnencctacs ne Description of Two New Species of Birds from Costa Rica, and Notes on other Rare sh hai . Species from that Cousihy...2.<. sou seeccoccccescsccucqucnscchewen cvckeestebunlsegapel ave oth 252 ANS Descriptions of New Species and Races of American Birds, including a Synopsis of the a7 y Genus Zyranmus, Cuvier : ....cccecenescaceecaccuchssscnse sen subascshaust nets lees sue aanneee 466 Stearns, Silas. A Note on the Gulf Menhaden, mrideaile patronus, Goode. ....20.c0 eeeeee USL vi Steindachner, Dr. Franz. Note on Percd Jlavescens .....-00.0-enseeeecenreeccenaseeares Pe Wilmot, Samuel. Notes on the Western Gizzard Shad, Dorosoma cepedianwm indiana = , : (Raf.) Jordan oestrone Sn teeeee eeeeeee Tree eee ee ee eee Ss | eee een wmee PT Ree eee eee eee eee seer enw nee SR i: 7
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 1878s.
f a DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW FORMS OF MOLLUSKS FROM ALASKA CONTAINED IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM,
By W. H. DALL.
CHITONID Zi.
Genus AMICULA Gray. Type A, vestita Sowerby.
Subgenus CHLAMYDOCHITON Dall.
Ch. t. ‘Amicule’ similiter sed branchize ambientes. Type Chiton amiculatus Pallas.
Amicula proper has the branchiz median. Genus LEPTOCHITON Gray.
Leptochiton Belknapi Dall, n. s.
L. t. elongata, valde elevata, dorsualiter angulaté; albida plus minusve cinereo et nigro tincta; valvis elevatis, apicibus distinctis; mucrone centrali conspicuo; sculptura ut in LZ. alveolo, sed granulis in areis dor- sualis sparsim et quincuncialiter dispositis; valva postica sub apice con- cava, posticé sinuata; zona minima spicalis tenuibus versus marginem munita. Lon. 10, lat.3™™. Div. 90°.
Hab.—North Pacific Ocean, in lat. 53° 08’ N., and lon. 171° 19’ W., at a depth of 1006 fathoms, black sand and shells. Brought up in the sounding-cup, on the sounding expedition of the United States ship Tuscarora, Capt. George E. Belknap, U.S. N., in 1874.
This specimen comes from a greater depth than any specimen of the order hitherto collected. It is nearest to L. alveolus Sars, from the coast
of Norway. Genus TRACHYDERMON Cpr.
Subgenus TRACHYRADSIA Cpr. (Ms.).
Trachydermon, valvis centralibus bi- seu pluri-fissatis. Type Chiton fulgetrum Reeve. Trachyradsia aleutica Dall, n.s.
T. t. parva, rufo-cinerea, oblonga, fornicata; jugo acutissimo; mucrone Proc. Nat. Mus. 73——1 1
TS
2 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
submediano, apicibus prominentibus; areis lateralis inconspicuis; tota superficie quincuncialiter minute reticulata; intus, valv. ant. 16-, post.
11-, centr. 2-fissatis; dent. parvis, perspongiosis, late separatis; sub-
grundis spongiosis, curtis; sinu parvo; zona squamulis minutis obsita, Lon. 6, lat. 3™™. Hab.—Western Aleutians, near low-water mark; Dall.
This bears no marked resemblance to any of the other Alaskan species. Genus TONICELLA Cpr.
Type Chiton marmoreus Fabr.
Tonicella saccharina Dall, n.s.
T. t. parva, oblonga, tota superficie saccharina, rufo et albescente picta; mucrone submediano, inconspicuo; areis lateralis inconspicue ele- vatis, albescentis; areis dorsualis sanguinosis, zeque quincuncialiter lente reticulatis; v. ant. 10-11-, v. post. 8-10-, v. centr. 1-fissatis; dent. par- vis spongiosis, sinu parvo; subgrundis spongiosis, mediocris; zon& coriacea ut in Tonicelle aliis: branchiw mediz. Lon. 6.5, lat. 4™™.
Hab.—Aleutian Islands, three to thirteen fathoms; Dall.
This species has the lustre of rock-candy, and is well marked by the contrast of the white lateral with the red dorsal areas.
Genus SCHIZOPLAX Dall.
Testa et zona Tonicelle simulans; valve centrales sulco jugali medi- ano, antico argute incise ; branchiz subambientes. °
Type Chiton Brandtii Midd.
For this remarkable Alaskan form, distinguished from all other Chi- tons by its slit central valves, I propose to adopt a name suggested by Dr. Carpenter, who, on Middendortf’s figures, had intended to propose it as a subgenus of TYonicella. The specimens obtained by my party seem to be the first found since the original ones were obtained. A careful examination of the soft parts shows that in dentition and some other details sufficient basis for generic separation is found, confirming the testimony of the valve characters. The sulcus is usually filled by a horny or cartilaginous deposit.
It may be added here that investigation of the characters of the radula in numerous species and genera of Chitons in the National Mu- seum shows a very remarkable uniformity of dentition. No larger groups than genera are indicated in the whole order, which, it appears, can hardly comprise more than one family; and it is doubtful if this can be divided into subfamilies by any characters yet elucidated.
The dentition in all species examined has the formula 6* 2:1 +2 > 6, or
1
rt Of the teeth, the rhachidian appears always simply cusped ;
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 3
the two laterals present varied characters; the third uncinus, counting outward, is usually spatulate; while the remainder are mere bosses, or scales. The wide differences found in the few figures of the dentition of Chitons extant appear to be due to erroneous interpretation of the objects represented. The figures of Lovén are the most satisfactory.
POSTPLIOCENE FOSSILS IN THE COAST BANGE OF CALIFORNIA, By W. H. DALL.
The National Museum has received from Mr. G. F. Merriam, of San Luis Rey, Cal., specimens of Donaz californicus, Chione succincta, Olivella, biplicata, and Cerithidea sacrata, in a semi-fossilized condition. The first mentioned retained a considerable part of its pinkish interior coloration. These fossils (probably with other species) are stated by Mr. Merriam to be found in great abundance at the head of a caion in that vicinity, in the heart of the Coast Range, twelve miles from the sea in a direct line, and six hundred feet above tide-water. All the species are found living in abundance on the present sea-coast. This indicates a very recent elevation for this part of the coast, if the facts are correctly interpreted, and further specimens and details will be awaited with interest.
NOTES ON THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS CYBIUM. By FELIPE POEY.
[Translated by G. BRowN GOoDE, from MS. memorandum of Professor FELIPE PoEY.]
Cybium caballa, Cuv. & Val.
Cybium eaballa, CUVIER & VALENCIENNES, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, viii, 1831, p. 187.—GtnTHER, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes in the Collection of the British Museum, ii, 1860, p. 373.—Pory, Repertorio Fisico-Natural de la Isla de Cuba, i, 1867, p. 322; ii, p. 13; and in Synopsis Piscium Cubensium, op. cit., ii, p. 362.
Cybium acervum, CUVIER & VALENCIENNES, loc. cit., p. 186 (nec typus).
Vulgo :—Sierra.
Differential Characters.—First dorsal with fourteen spines, without a black spot anteriorly. Body immaculate in the adult, spotted with yel- lowish in the young fish.
The number of teeth increases with the age; in large specimens, it is 3°, The larger teeth are placed upon the middle of the jaw, those in the lower jaw being a trifle the longer. The lateral line is very sinuous upon the posterior portion of the body. The eye is larger than in Cy- bium regale.
Bluish upon the back, whitish under the belly. First dorsal white; second dorsal and caudal dusky-bluish (bleu-noirdtre) ; pectorals bluish, as is also the anal, which, however, becomes white at its extremity ; ventrals whitish.
4 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
In the young fish, under the length of two or three feet, the sides are covered with round, irregular spots, of rather dirty yellow (jaune un pew sale). *
Cuvier described a specimen which weighed twenty-two pounds; at that size, the fish is still young, and retains its yellow spots.
Those ordinarily taken range in weight from twelve to twenty-five pounds, though they reach the weight of one hundred pounds. I have seen one which measured 285™™,
Cybium regale, (Bloch) Cuvier. Scomber regalis, BLocu, Naturgeschichte der auslindischen Fische, taf. 333. Cybium regale, CUVIER & VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 184.—GUNTHER, op. cit., p, 372.—POEY, op. cit., i, p. 322; ii, p. 362. Vulgo :—Pintada.
Differential Characters.—The first dorsal has seventeen spines and the spot uponitsanterior portion. Thelateral bands and spots are persistent through life.
The teeth are 2° in aspecimen of moderate size. In the upper jaw, the median teeth are the larger; in the lower, their size is more nearly equal.
The back is bluish, as are also the top of the head, the second dorsal and its finlets, the caudal, and the pectorals. The first dorsal is white, having in front a spot of deep-blue, which is prolonged far back upon the upper edge of the fin. The anal and the ventrals are white. The sides are sky-blue, with silvery lustre; the belly is white, with a bluish tinge. The sides are marked with broken longitudinal bands and round spots; these bands and spots are yellow, more or less golden, and with a reddish tint.
The ordinary size is about twelve pounds, though they sometimes reach the weight of twenty.
Cybium acervum, Cuv. & Val. Cybium acervum, CUVIER & VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 186.
The specimens described by Cuvier were of five pounds weight. He
claims to have received specimens from Martinique, from Santo Domingo, and from Cuba, those from the latter place sent by me. I can only say that I have not been able to find this species, and that I have not included it in my manuscript “ Ichthyologie”.
According to Cuvier, it has seventeen spines in the first dorsal, and also tbe black spot. The body is immaculate, even in the specimens of five pounds weight.
Cybium maculatum, (Mitchill) Agassiz.
Scomber maculatus, MircHILL, Transactions of the Literary and Philosophical
Society of New York, i, 1815, p. 426, pl. vi, fig. 8. Cybium maculatum, AGAssiz, in Spix, Selecta Genera et Species Piscium, 1829, p- 103, tab. lx.—Cuvirr & VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 181.—GUNTHER, op. cit., p. 372. The Cybium maculatum of the United States has the teeth somewhat conical and very pointed. It has seventeen dorsal spines and a black spot upon the first dorsal,
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 5
Cybium immaculatum, Cuv. & Val.
Cybium immaculatum, CUVIER & VALENCIENNES, op. cit., p. 191.—GUNTHER, op. cit., p. 370, note 5. The Cybium immaculatum of Cuvier has the body immaculate in spe- cimens only six or seven inches long.
Acanthocybium peto, Poey. Acanthocybium Petus, PozyY, Memorias sobre la Historia Natural de la Isla de Cuba, ii, 1860, p. 234, pl. xvi, fig. 1; Repert., ii, p. 363. Vulgo :—Peto.
This genus differs from Cybiwm by its numerous dorsal spines, twenty- five in number. The type taken by Professor Gill has the teeth com- pressed, triangular. The Cuban species has the points of the teeth rounded. The caudal is very small. The lower jaw has its sides deeply notched and its extremity lower than its lateral edges. In spe- cimens of Jess than three feet, the body is covered with vertical bands of a vitreous lustre (glacées). It grows very large, sometimes attaining the weight of one hundred pounds.
THE CLUPEA TYRANNUS OF LATROBE. By G. BROWN GOODE,
Mr. Benjamin H. Latrobe, a surveyor of public lands, published, in 1802, a description of a clupeoid fish the affinities of which have never been satisfactorily determined.* Dr. DeKay, misled by the name “ ale- wife”, applied the specific name tyrannus to the northern species known to him by that popular name (Pomolobus pseudo-harengus), a usage which was concurred in by Dr. Storer and M. Valenciennes. In his earlier writings, Professor Gill referred the same name to the shad (Alosa sapidissima). Latrobe’s paper, and the name therein proposed, have lately been lost sight of; but there is little doubt that they refer to the menhaden, or mossbunker (Clupea menhaden, Mitchill, and Bre- voortia menhaden, Gill). The laws of priority demand that this species shall henceforth be designated Brevoortia tyrannus.
The fishes of the Chesapeake and its tributaries have been very little studied until within the past three years, and the habits of the men- haden are so different in these waters and in the north that it does not seem surprising for Northern ichthyologists to have made mistaken identification of Latrobe’s specific name.
A few years ago the Capes of Delaware were thought to define the southern range of the menhaden, while its peculiar parasite and its habit of ascending southern rivers were unknown.
*A Drawing and Description of the Clupea tyrannus and Oniscus pregustaior. By
Benjamin H. Latrobe, F. A. P. 8. < Transactions of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia for promoting useful knowledge, vol. v, 1802, p. 77.
6 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
I shall soon publish a full discussion of this subject. At present, my conclusions may be stated as follows :—
(1) The figure, while undeniably bad, resembles the menhaden very closely, while it cannot be intended to represent any allied species. The contour, were the missing dorsal fin supplied, is similar to that of the menhaden. The black spot upon the scapular region is constant in the menhaden only, though a similar one is occasionally seen upon the shad and alewife.
(2) The name “ bay alewife” is the same now given to the menhaden in the Chesapeake and its tributaries. This is a strong argument: for although seventy-five years have passed since Latrobe wrote, the per- sistence of popular names is very remarkable, as I have elsewhere pointed out.* Moreover, Latrobe was also acquainted with a * her- ring” and a “shad”. These being eliminated, there is no other fish than the menhaden to which the description in question can refer.
(3) The habits of the alewife, as described by Latrobe, are essentially the same as those of the menhaden at the present day. The alleged river-ascending habits of the *‘ bay alewife” were thought to throw its identity with the menhaden out of the question. This is no longer an obstacle.
(4) The presence of the crustacean parasite is the strongest argu- ment of all. While this is found in the mouths of a large percentage of the southern menhaden, suggesting the local name of ‘* bug fish”, it has never once been found attached to any other species, although careful search has been made by several persons. The northern men- haden is free from this parasite. This is still another reason for the failure to identify on the part of northern writers. .
Latrobe’s name has the priority over Mitchill’s by thirteen years. It is to be regretted that it is necessary to replace by another a name so, appropriate and of such long standing.
JANUARY 1, 1878.
THE OCCURBENCE OF BELONE LATIMANUS IN BUZZARD’S BAY, MASSACHUSETTS.
By G. BROWN GOODE.
A peculiar species of Belone was obtained at Wood’s Holl, in 1875, by Professor Baird. It was caught in the weir on Great Neck, owned by the Wood’s Holl Weir Company. On study, it proved to be the form described by Professor Poey under the name Belone latimanus, and hitherto known only from Cuba. A good water-color sketch (Cat. No. 795) was made by Mr. Richard, a photograph (Cat. No. 218) taken, and the specimen and a finely colored cast (Cat. No. 16121) are preserved in the National Museum.
rg * Catalogue of the Fishes of the Bermudas, 1876, p. 15.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 7
It may be distinguished from the common species of our coast, Belone longirostris, (Mitchill) Gill, by many characters, the most salient of which are the more elongate form, the lesser proportionate length of the head, the much greater number of rays in the vertical fins (B. lati- manus has D. 25: A. 23. JB. longirostris has D. 13-16: A. 16-19), the broader and proportionately shorter pectorals, and the forked caudal.
The length of the specimen was 49 inches (1244.6 millimetres), its weight 54 pounds (2381 grams).
CoLor :—Back, top of head, and snout dark green in dead specimen, probably beryl-green in life. Fin-rays greenish-brown. Fin-membranes and protected parts, such as axils of pectoral fins, colorless. Sides light brownish, with silvery overwash. Belly, cheeks, throat, and lower part of lower jaw silvery-white. Eye greenish-yellow.
Radial formula.—Branchiostegals XIV. D. 24: A. 25: C. 7-6+ 7-5: P. i3+ V¥..6: i
JANUARY 15, 1878.
THE VOICES OF CRUSTACEANS. By G. BROWN GOODE.
The observations of Mr. Saville Kent and Mr. J. Wood Mason (Na- TURE, vols. xvi, p. 565, and xvii, p. 11) recall to mind some similar facts recently noted by me in the Bermudas.
Several species of Alpheus were observed to have the power of pro- ducing loud clicking sounds. Two or three of the larger species are accustomed to lurk under flat stones near low-water mark. Some of these are two inches long. When one of them is taken between the fingers by an inexperienced collector, the sudden, convulsive snap almost invariably causes him to drop it. The effect is like that of a sharp blow across the knuckles. Some smaller species of the genus are found only in the cavities of a large aplysine sponge, abundant on the reefs. I have picked out seventy or eighty from a fragment of sponge not more than three inches in diameter. When the sponge is taken in the hand, the quick succession of clickings reminds one of the sound of instruments in a large telegraph office. When one of these animals is put in an earthen or glass vessel, it makes a much louder noise, resembling a quick tap with the finger-nail or the back of a knife upon the edge of the same vessel. This noise is produced by a convul- sive snapping of the last joint of the large claw, by a movement resem- bling that of the spring beetles (Zlateride), and the sounds are quite Similar. Possibly these movements may have a protective object, enab- ling the little decapods to escape from the grasp of enemies, or to work out from under the stones and loose sand in which they must often become buried.
Another macrurous crustacean, Gonodactylus chiragra, known to the
8 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Bermudians as the “split-thumb”, from its power of wounding by a sharp appendage of the larger claws, produces a viciously sharp, snap- ping noise, apparently in the same manner with Alpheus. *
The “ Bermuda lobster” (Panulirus americanus M. Edw.) makes a loud grating noise. Mr. Kent describes the voice of the allied species (Pa- linurus quadricornis) as being produced by the rubbing together of the spinous abdominal segments. In the species observed by me, the sound was produced by means of certain modifications of the lower joints of the antenne. There is at the base of each antenna, upon the anterior part of the cephalo-thorax, a broad elevated ridge, parallel with the axis of the body, which in an adult of eighteen inches would be about two inches long. The rounded crests of these ridges are closely em- braced by processes from the sides of the basal antennal segments. The profile of each ridge describes the segment of a circle, the centre of which is the centre of articulation of its accompanying antenna. When the antennz are moved forward and backward, their tips waving over the back of the animal, the close contact of the hard, smooth, chitinous surfaces produces a shrill, harsh stridulation, like the sound of filing a saw. I have never heard the noise when the animals were under water, though I have seen them waving their antennz. I have no doubt that they can thus produce vibrations perceptible to their mates at great distances, especially if their other senses are as acute as that of smell, which I have tested in avery curious manner. Both sexes are provided with the vocal organs.
DECEMBER 25, 1877.
ON A NEW HUMMING BIRD (ATTHIS ELLIOTI) FROM GUATEMALA, By ROBERT RIDGWAY.
Having had occasion, recently, to examine some specimens of Hum- ming Birds, I happened to notice certain striking differences between two examples labelled “Atthis heloise”—one from Guatemala, belonging to Mr. D. G. Elliot, the other a Mexican specimen, in my own collection, obtained from M. Boucard. The differences observed between these were so obvious that I immediately inspected the series contained in the collection of the National Museum, and on comparison found them repeated in the specimens contained therein, including two males from Jalapa and one from the Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. The former of course represent the true A. heloisw, being from the locality whence the types of that species were procured, and with them my Mexican ex- ample agrees in all essential particulars. Both the Guatemalan speci- mens, however, are very different from any of these, and undoubtedly
represent a distinct species, which being, so far as I have been able to
ascertain, hitherto unnamed, I propose to characterize as follows :—
MA
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 9
ATTHIS ELLIOTI.
“ Selasphorus heloise”, Sci. & Satv., Ibis, i, 1859, 129 (Guatemala); ib. 186C, 195 (Duefias, Guatemala).—Satvin, ib. 266 (Guatemala; Tierra Caliente, and slopes of Volcan de Fuego).
“Atthis heloisa”, B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B. ii, 1874, 465 (part: Guatemala references).
Specific Characters.—Adult male:—Outer primary broad, the end not attenuated. Gorget uniform reddish-purple (much as in Calypte anne), without varying tints of violet, as in A. heloise. Jugulum wholly white; middle of the abdomen white; sides light rufous, slightly glossed with golden-green; crissum white, tinged with light rufous. Upper parts metaliic-green, decidedly Jess golden than in A. heloise. Tail with the basal half (approximately) bright cinnamon-rufous, the subterminal portion black; three outer feathers (on each side) tipped with rusty-white; the middle pair with the black portion above glossed with metallic-green anteriorly. Wings uniform dusky, the smaller coy- erts metallic-green. Wing, 1.35; tail, 1.00-1.05; culmen, 0.38-0.40. [Type, No. 20494, ¢ ad., Coll. U. S. Nat. Mus., Volcan de Fuego, Guate- mala. |
With a very close general resemblance to A heloise, this species may be immediately distinguished by the very different form of the outer primary, the redder and more uniform color of the throat-gorget, and the shorter bill. The peculiar characters of the two may be contrasted as follows :—
re
24616. i Althis heloisde.d. Jalapa. Dr. Heermann- . Atthis ellioti. 6, Guatemala, Bourcier.
A. ellioti.
Outer primary broad, the end not attenuated. Gorget uniform pur- plish-red, without varying violaceous tints. Wing, 1.35 ; tail, 1.00-1.05; calmen, 0.38-0.40.
Hab.—Guatemala.
A. heloise. :
Outer primary very narrow, the end abruptly attenuated. Gorget reddish-violet, showing decided violet tints in certain lights. Wing, -1.30-1.50; tail, 0.95-1.10; culmen, 0.48-0.50.
Hab.—Eastern Mexico.
; " *
10 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
The principal synonymy and characters of A. heloise are as follows:— ATTHIS HELOISZ.
Ornismya heloise, Less. & DELATTR., Rev. Zool. 1839, 15 (Jalapa and Quatepu, S. E.
Mexico).
Mellisuga heloise, GRAY, Gen. B.i, 1849, 113, sp. 62.
Tryphena heloise, BoNAP., Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1854, 257.
Selasphorus heloise, GOULD, Monog. Trochilid. iii, 1852, pl. 141.
Atthis heloise, REICHENB., J. f. O. 1853, App., 12.—GouLD, Introd. Trochilid. 8vo ed. 1861, 89.—EL.iorT, Illustr. Am. B. i, 1869, pl. —.—Cooper, Orn. Cal. i, 1870, 361 (El Paso, Texas; Mexico).—B. B. & R., Hist. N. Am. B. ii, 1874, 465, pl. 47, fig. 6 (El Paso, Texas; Mexico).
Specific Characters.—Adult male :—Outer primary very narrow, the end abruptly attenuated. Gorget violet-purple, with changeable tints in varying lights. Jugulum wholly white; middle of the abdomen white; sides light rufous, slightly glossed with golden-green; crissum white, tinged with light rufous. Upper parts metallic golden-green, more bronzy than in A.ellioti. Tail with the basal half (approximately) clear cinnamon-rufous, the subterminal portion black, with the three outer feathers (on each side) tipped with rusty-white; middle pair of feathers glossed with golden-green on the upper surface to the extreme tip. Wings uniform dusky, the smaller coverts golden-green. Wing, 1.30-1.5); tail, 0.95-0.10; culmen, 0.48—0.50.
Of the three adult males of A. heloise now before me, the two from Jalapa are much alike; bat that in my own collection, which is evi- dently from another part of Mexico, although, unfortunately, the pre- cise locality is not stated on the label, differs in several very noticeable particulars. The bill is very much more slender, the wing shorter (about 1.50, instead of 1.50), and the general size decidedly less. Whatis most conspicuous, however, is the fact that the lateral feathers of the gorget are not elongated as in the Jalapa specimens, in which they are 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch longer than the longest feathers of the middle portion, while there is a mixture of bluish-violet in the gorget not observable in the other specimens. Itis barely possible that the longer lateral plumes of the gorget have been lost from this specimen; but in any event, the differences are quite sufficient to characterize a well-marked local race.
JANUARY 29, 1878,
FOSSIL MOLLUSKS FROM LATER TERTIARIES OF CALIFORNIA. By W. H. DALL.
The National Museum has recently received from Mr. Henry Hemp- hill a series of fossil shells collected by him from the later Tertiary deposits of the Californian coast. Some of them are from the vicinity of Santa Barbara, but the majority are from San Diego, part of them
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. LF
(marked w in the list) from the material obtained in sinking a well* at a distance of from ninety to one hundred and sixty feet below the surface of the earth, and not far from the present sea-level. The matrix is usually rather soft, composed of loosely aggregated grains of sand or fine sandy mud, occasionally hardened by infiltration of lime-bearing water.
In the accompanying list, those species found living (R) at the present day in the fauna of the Californian coast, between San Francisco and San Diego, are marked L, those at present making part of the northern or Oregonian fauna N, and those belonging to the fauna of Lower Cali- fornia, the Gulf of California, Mexico, and Central America are marked S. The extinct species (I) fourm a very small proportion of the whole, as will be readily seen.
7907 | Laqueus californicus (Koch) Dall ...-.-.......-- San Diego. | Ba iy 2 eeOn GUUNEOE GIR on. nn snk menos euaaee “ R N, L eet (MIGDHEODE Wn ks cediws nace news wine « 1 R L
7910 | Periploma argentaria Conr ..........-..-----+- ¢ R L,S 1 | Solecurtus californianus Conr ...-....---..----- * R L,S er ne SUS CGEE oo. Ss tan nk cg ca wns Reennnns « a R L | aracome: indentates Cpr 2. 2. « . 2 nieces vecces esses : h L ye 7) “ R N, L 5 | Macoma (like) sabulosa Spengler ..-......... a 7 R N eS ee eee rrr ae rs R L mp acre Podegonaa TGS .. 22.5 22 o na wowace cncces R L 8 | Cumingia californica Conr...... ...-..---- ----- S R L ee - h L,S
gue | Mactra californica Conr .... ..... <0 -----+-00»- af R TNS Ss SL) ee top ap pene a - R |N,L? 2 | Clementia subdiaphana Cpr ...--. .----.-------- ¥ R N, L Ee ee ee ere sf R L, § eran MCOUNONEY VBE. ons. 8 cna causeemenans “f R L.S 5 | Dosinia ponderosa Gray ....-. .----------- ----- “ R S Po eupes Grammer OORT. .'.. 2) /< sen ocean nin sena << : BR | NL 7 | Saxidomus aratus (jun.) Gld.......-........-. ‘% R L 8 | Petricola pholadiformis? Lam............------ s R 9 | Cardium procerum Sby: ---....------------«-.- e R S
7930 | Venericardia monilicosta Gabb ........---..---- ee R L 1 | Venericardia monilicosta Gabb ...--..-.--..--.-- Santa Barbara.| R L =~ | Lucia Nulialls Conr..............-..-- wre ee San Diego. R L os | Laome acuttlinedia Conr...... <.<<-0s-becsceds 3 ey AL 2) Aroa microdonta Cour, —- 2... < -in 6--sn5,0200, sesh - Sam F -
5 | Axinea profunda Dall, n. 8 ...... .---..---.---- “ F ; i pe eee DY oo Soe cane kone ago nance % R S Si ES OS 85 i Sa | a ee a ae S) an R L, § 5 |-Peoten islandicus Mull ...... ...... .-...--.---- y R N Petree MIME IG oooh a iin tage ace ee R N
7940 | Pecten ventricosus Sby. (var.?)....-..--.-..--.- “f R Ss
1 | Pecten expansus Dall, n.s..... Pea sanaaeieons wee ‘ EF - 2 | Pecten Stearnsii Dall, n. 8 \...<<..--.-...--- 44 < F ‘ 3 | Pecten Hemphillii Dall, n.8.......-......-..--. y F 2 4 | Pecten ? wequisulcatus Cpr. var .........--..---- ve R L,S 5 | Pecten ? paucicostotus Cpr. jun...--...---.----- a R L,S G | Janira dentata Sby. 22 cae. 5 22 + 2 n cc necacaasiee- $6 4p, R L,$ ey OC PEER dope sane dn on ds «ab doses eues > is R N, L S | Ostrea Veatohti Gabb-.u. 2225-50-22 0 ce acceces- a“ ¥ ; 9 | Anomia limatula Dall, n. 8 ......---.-..-.---- . ‘f F :
7350 | Rhectaxis punctocelata (Cpr.) Dall..........-.. = R L Li) Tornatina cerealis Gla. ... .2.. 022. .--20c esee ene « R N, L 2 | Tornatina eximia ? Baird......----...--- A = tf . R N
*A list of species obtained from this well, with descriptions of new species, was published by me in the Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., v, pp. 296-299, 1874.
. » * OE \ Md a ‘a ’
12 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
7953 | Cylichna alba Brown .......--.-.--.+-.-------| San Diego. w. R N,L?. A Votoule. cylindrica Cpr ..2c-o.¢ tere mene pes ce aes oi R L a | Mélampus olitaceus Cpr oF... b. ese. Sek Ske a* R L 6 | Dentalium hexagonum Sby ......---.-----. ----- i R |S,L? «| Codulus justformis 7 PIM 2252 c bono Bac cies Seen or ? ‘ S'| Aemma mitra Keely. soho. £25 es ae i SS * R N,L S| domea tnsesen Eds 22 i fee dics eos cope " R N,L 7960 | Fissurella volcano ? Reeve........---.--------- 2 R Iu 1 | Fissurcllidea callomarginata Cpr ....-.--------- ny R L 2 | Chlorosioma Pfeiffert Phil .... ....«-. »-.--+ «<0 2 R L SD | Y VE BP OG on on eccece va ook pap eecee te “ ? Ss 4 | Crucibulum spinosum Sby ...-...---------+------ J R L,S 5 | Crepidula princeps Conr.. .... ..-<0«- i-o--scm=ms a R? N O | Crepiaula qguncs Shy ......->..5---2- ose Siancae ni R L 7 | Serpulorbis squamigerus Cpr .....--.----------- f R L,S 8 | Tarritelia, Coepart Cpr. Wal (on oo o< eanigies een eee ae. R L O11 Contheda sacrata Gid ..1. 3... J... cues cee amare . R L 7970 | Bittium quadrifilatum Cpr ..--...--.----------- Santa Barbara. | R L +4 Sate, aaperim Cor... .<.sanietieninipeaee ion vi R L 2 | Zitorina scutulata Gid .. .. 0.2.22 conn awescess c=) wee R N, L 3 | Lacuna vincta Mont.....----..-...--.---.-----| Santa Barbara. | R N 4} Lacuna solidula Loven .... 2... .cceceee sccees es San Diego. R N 5 | Rissoina (like) Woodwardi Cpr..............-- : . R Ss 6 | Myurella simplex Cor .. 2... --:. ones ween wena ee e R L,S 7} Drillia penicillataC pr... 250 snvows wives bau oe “ R L,S 8 | Drillio Hemphillit Stearns................-.--- - R S 9 | Surcula Carpenteriana Gabb.........--.------- % R L 7980 | Mangelia angulata Cpr...... ..-2- seenee cence: si R L 1 | Conus californica Hds .....cavcvore <eeews beunee si R L 2 | Odostomia gravida COr .. < ow auras conn sews eee Y R L 3 | Turbonilla stylina ? Cpr... 2.22... ce ecee concn ** Ww. R L 4 | Turbonilla chocolata Cpr....-. ..2--2 se--0- eee “ R | LN? 5.) Turbonilla virgo? Cpt «2 a. vs ewosew owwee sw eweei' 6 R L 6 | Turbonilla torquata? Cpr...........----+---+-- S R L 7 | Eulima micane Cpr ..is. os ci0 v avinweweulevus ebay es “ R L 8 | Scalaria indianorum Cpr .... 200 sooo ee coos ones R L Y | Scalaria indianorum Var......--2- 02-5 eeee wees: . R L 7390 | Scalaria tincta COr ..02.< vce wawswe cwewes auweue Ne R L 1 | Scalaria Hemphillit Dall, n. 8...... 22-208 eee eee F \ 2 | Opalia anomala Stearns...... seccacccccce cone os F . 3 | Opalia raricostata Stearns........---.--.--+--- a F ; 4 | Cerithiopsis assimilata Cpr... ..- ..---2 seeeeee- a R L S| Cameellarig.. ..<s nbc cice ne nn pwiawiciteten tidal awakes “FD, . ; G | Camc[dllarie . coi cc cccese wonbur wade seve er vee we *F ep, : ; 7 | Neverita Recluziana Petit ..... 2... wcccerccees és R L, 8 8 | Neverita Recluziana var. alta Dall .....-....---- y R L 9 | Mamma nana Moller (tos. Japan Tert.).......-. “a R N 8000 | Ranella muriciformis Brod. var.........--..---- a R 5 1 | Mitra maura Swains.... ..00 wewscccs scccet oor id R L, 8S 2 | Olivella biplicata Sby.......-- eee coon sees cones ¥ R L 3} Olivella boctio@ Cpr ... ... wnwer tense vebinwe'as ff R N,L 4 | Nasea fossata GIG .. 2222 ons cv'ase nese eth wee e b> “ R L 6 | Naseo fossata VOR, . 6.22. weet te veseeeeee ve? “ R L 6 | Nassa perpinguis Hds....2..----- 02+. eeeeee eee * R L,§ 7 | Nasee tegula RVO ..0200 cowwwe vue wevenewew dawns w R L, 8 | 8 | Nassa mendica GIG .... 220. cwewwe wrwwwe se nwe'ese ‘ow. R N,L 9 | Astyris gausapata GId. Vars.... .----+ one weeee- Santa Barbara. | R L 8010 | Nitidella Gouldii Cpr ..........-eee eoeeee-- eee San Diego. R N, L 1 | Amphissa versicolor Dall .... 22.2.2 .ecees wee ee cs R L 2 | Amphissa versicolor Dall.......----2 se00 sence: -| Santa Barbara. | R L 3 | Monoceros engonotum Conr ...-+- -.+-+--- 225s San Diego. R L 4 | Cerostoma Nuttallii Conr ...-2. 1.222. se eeee eee " R L 5 | Pteronotus festivus Hinds.......-.-22 e-eee+--e- “ R L 6 | Trophon (orpheus jun.?) ..-. 2-2 22222 wees cones Santa Barbara.| R | N,L 7 | Purpura crispata Chemn ...... ...- edicts Ate San Diego. R | N,L 8 | Fusus Harfordi Stearns ...... .220cs00 veceee cee rs R | N,L? 9 | BSerpula ap. indét ....<-.evee+ cewete oth Sontaul ba ? . 8020 | Fish-teeth, one species, indet..... ee ey ? ? ee
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 13
This, it will be observed, contains one hundred and seven well deter- mined species, omitting several doubtful ones, of which ten are extinct and ninety-seven still found recent. Of these recent or still existing forms, twenty are found in the Californian fauna and northward at the present time. Eighteen more are found in the Californian fauna and southward, while forty-four are strictly Californian. Besides these, there are eight species belonging to the Oregonian or Arctic fauna, and no longer found living in the Californian region. Seven more are found on the west coast of Mexico, the Gulf of California, or Western Middle America, and, so far as known, no longer in the Californian region. One or two species are still found living in Atlantic seas, but not on the western shores of America. How far these peculiarities of distribu- tion may be explained by a restriction of their geographical range in modern times by some species, or by the association of fossils in one collection from beds of differing age, and consequently exhibiting the fluctuation of the northern and southern faunze based on varying temperatures of the sea, will be determined only by a most critical stratigraphical study of the localities.
But in either case the problem is well worthy of solution. The very modern character of the beds is determined by the great majority of the species being still found living, and by the fact that some of them retain very evident traces of their original coloration. They are mostly in excellent preservation. The well fossils taken with those mentioned on p. 3 would give a vertical range of some six hundred feet for the Pliocene Tertiary beds of California.
The species which appear to be new are as follows:—
Axinea profunda, n. s. (7935).
Shell subtriangular, ventral margin rounded, umbos erect, rather small. Area narrow, deep; marked by five or six lines meeting at an angle in the vertical of the umbo, one above another; anterior lines somewhat the shortest; exterior marked by twenty-five or thirty flat- tened ribs, separated by deep channels one-fourth as wide as the ribs, and by which the interior margin is crenulated. The ribs are crossed by thread-like close lines of growth, which may be elevated or obsolete on the ribs, but are sharply defined in the channels, which they partially fill up in some specimens. Toward the anterior and posterior margins; the sculpture is nearly obsolete. In eroded examples, this sculpture may be entirely altered, and such are hardly recognizable as the same thing. Interior smooth or lightly radiately striate, with a tendency to an elevated narrow ridge behind the anterior scar; hinge with teeth placed as if radiating from the centre of the valve, six to nine anteri- orly, and ten to fourteen posteriorly, with some ten or twelve small, crowded teeth between the two radiating sets, and placed perpendicu- larly and parallel withone another. Height, 32™; length, 50™ ; thick- ness, 20™; the last proportionally greater in the young.
14 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
This species differs in its sculpture from any of the recent species ascribed to the coast, and from A. barbarensis Conr. (Pliocene foss.) by its shorter, more elevated, and deeper form, as well as by details of sculpture.
Pecten expansus, n. 8. (7941).
Shell large, thin, with the upper valve flatter than the lower one, both with very slight convexity; outer surface of upper valves marked by sixteen to twenty sharp, radiating ridges, but slightly elevated, and whose sides shade off insensibly into the broad interspaces, which are but slightly depressed; faint indications of ridges appear between the principal ones. The entire surface is covered with fine, slightly raised, sharp lamellz, which are waved in some places so regularly as to pro- duce the appearance of a delicate reticulation, which, however, does not really exist; angle of the umbo about 120°; ears finely sculptured, like the rest of the surface, but with only faint indications of ridges, sharply differentiated from the rest of the shell, very short, broad; supra-foraminal ear with a sigmoid carve to the lateral margin; mar- gin of the other ear nearly straight; hinge-line straight; interior of the valve smooth, except for faint depressions corresponding to the ridges; peripheral margins not crenulated, even or nearly smooth.
Lower valve with twenty-five or thirty dichotomous ribs, flattened above, but not sharply differentiated from the interspaces, sculptured with fine lines of growth or nearly smooth, with faint appearances of radiating striz. Peripheral margin somewhat crenulated by the ends of the ribs; interior marked by shallow channels corresponding to the ribs; ears rather small and distinctly but not strongly marked off from the rest of the valve; byssal notch rounded, moderately deep. Height of shell, 135™"; breadth of shell, 140™™; breadth of hinge-line, 65™™; thickness, 32™"; some specimens one-half larger.
This shell is nearest P. propatulus Conr. (caurinus ? of Gould) from the Miocene of Oregon, but differs in all its details when compared. The Miocene shell has a sharper umbonal angle, larger ears with straight lateral margins, and strong and different sculpture; the ribs are not dichotomous, and are much more sharply defined, while the margins are strongly crenulated. It is possible that some of the indeterminate nominal species of Conrad may have been based on this species, but the wretched figures given by him seem to differ strongly so far as they show any characters, while his descriptions are quite worthless, as usual.
Pecten Stearnsii, n. s. (7942).
Shell moderately large, thin, regular; elegantly radiately ribbed. Upper valve flattened or even a little concave, with about twenty four regularly rounded, vaulted, even ribs, separated by slightly wider chan- nelled interspaces ; the whole surface covered with fine, sharp, concen- tric, regular lamelle, a little looped backward over the top of the ribs, but showing no appearance of reticulation anywhere; ears small, nearly
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 15
symmetrical, covered with more elevated, crowded, concentric lamella, especially near the margins; hinge-margin straight, or even a little concave toward the umbo; peripheral margins of the valves strongly and regularly crenulated and interlocking; interior regularly deeply grooved, to correspond with the external ribs; lower valve slightly con- vex, with about twenty-six regular even ribs, separated by channelled interspaces somewhat narrower than the ribs; the top surface of each rib is flattened with a broad, shallow groove in the middle, with one or two faint riblets on each side of the groove; the whole surface is cov- ered with concentric lamelle, like those of the upper valve, but less sharp, and about twice as crowded. Ears subequal, arched, covered with crowded, elevated lamella; byssal notch very small. Height of shell, 90™™; breadth, 100™™; breadth of hinge-line, 34™™; thickness, iw
This very elegant species, while also showing some general resem- blance to P. caurinus Gld., forms a passage toward the section Janira, and differs in many details from any described west-coast species, recent or fossil, so far as figures and descriptions serve to indicate.
Pecten Hemphillii, n. s. (7943).
This species has a strong general resemblance to the last, and is best described by comparison with it. P. Hemphillii is smaller, with sixteen ribs, as against twenty-six in a P. Stearnsii of the same size, with which throughout it will be compared; the lateral margins of the ears are perpendicular and straight, instead of outwardly rounded; the hinge- line is perfectly straight, not slightly concave; the ribs on the lower valve are flattened above, with symptoms of a groove on the top surface, instead of beautifully roundly vaulted; the interspaces are of course wider; the raised concentric lamellz toward the periphery become long, coarse, and very crowded ; on the lower valve, the shell is more vaulted, with hardly any traces of the raised lamellz, and with larger, rude, hardly flattened, radiating ribs, which show no trace of grooving or riblets ; the ears and byssal notch are smaller and more coarsely sculp- tured. Height, 56™"; breadth, 63™™; breadth of hinge-line, 28™; thickness, 15™™.
This species seems to approach Janira even more closely than the last, but the value of these sections of Pectinide is very questionable.
Anomia limatula, n. s. (7949).
Shell large, thin, irregular, with a rather thickened hinge-line; exter- nal surface rough (when not worn), like the fresh fractured surface of a piece of china-ware; a few faint radiating lines with the lines of growth comprise the sculpture; shell originally yellowish, and still retaining some of its color and lustre. Normal form apparently that of a Pecten without eurs. Breadth, 75™™; height, 70™™; arch of valve, 10-15™™.
No lower valves were obtained. This large species is neither A. lampe Gray nor A. (Plac.) macroschisma Desh., which are the only recent spe-
16 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
cies known to inhabit these coasts, while the only fossil one, A. subcostata Conrad, a species from the Colorado Desert, appears to be different, as the name would imply. For this reason, I have attached a name to the rather imperfect material received from Mr. Hemphill.
Scalaria Hemphillii, n. s. (7991).
Shell in general resembling a robust specimen of S. indianorum, having from nine to twelve varices on the last whorl, coronated behind near the suture, wholly pure white; surface of the whorls beneath the varices longitudinally delicately sculptured, with alternate riblets and grooves. Length about an inch; apical angle about 30°.
This species has the sculpture of SN. bellastriata, but the shape of 8S. indianorum, and is the only grooved species, except the former, which has yet been reported from this region. All the specimens are decol- late. The specimens were sent by Mr. Hemphill with the suggestion that they might prove to be new, and an examination has confirmed the suggestion. I take much pleasure in dedicating it to its discoverer.
The two species of Cancellaria mentioned were obtained from the San Diego well some years since, but having been mislaid cannot at this
moment be identified. Mamma nana Moller is now found living in
Arctic seas and fossil in the Tertiary of Japan. WASHINGTON, February 3, 1878.
THE MANUFACTURE OF PORPOISE-OIL. By Capt. CALEB COOK, of Provincetown, Mass.
About the year 1816, sailors and fishermen having caught a porpoise on their voyage, would sometimes extract the oil from the jaw-bone and give it to carpenters and those who used oil-stones for sharpening their tools. Finding in this way that it did not gum nor glue, suggested the idea that it was just what was wanted for a nice lubricator. It was noticed that the weather at zero would not congeal it, neither would it corrode on brass.
Watchmakers were then using olive-oil as the only fitting oil for watches; but by experimenting with the porpoise-jaw oil they found it superior to the olive or any other oil, consequently the sailors and fish- ermen found a ready market for all they were able to obtain.
This state of things continued until the year 1829, when a shoal of blackfish, about forty in number, was taken at Provincetown, Mass., being the first for many years. Solomon Cook, of that town, took from the jaws of those blackfish a few gallons of oil, and sent it to Ezra Kel- ley, of New Bedford, Mass., a skillful watchmaker, to be tested for watch-oil. Mr. Kelley soon found that this oil was superior to the porpoise-oil, as it had more substance and less chill. He contracted
with Solomon Cook to supply him from year to year until 1840, when Solomon Cook died, and his oldest son supplied Mr. Kelley until the
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PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 17
demand was so great that the jaws of the blackfish were not sufficient to supply the market.
Porpoise-jaw oil can be refined a little by exposure to the cold at zero, and in that state, with the atmosphere at zero, it is strained through a cotton flannel strainer made in the shape of a cone, but when filtered through paper it is so limpid that it has no lubricating properties what- ever, and becomes useless. This oil is called porpoise-jaw oil, but is taken from the blackfish, belonging in the family of whales, by a method known only by myself. It is warranted not to congeal with cold at zero, though it will thicken and turn a little milky in appearance. It is warranted not to corrode on brass or rust on steel, and it will not glue on the finest watch. Ezra Kelley, of New Bedford, Mass., has made it a business for many years to put it up for watch use, and has led in the market, while B. H. Tisdale, of Newport, Rh. IL, and I. M. Bachelder, of Boston, are getting quite popular in the European market.
Caleb Cook, youngest son of Solomon, from scientific experiments did discover, about the year 1842, that the melon-oil of the blackfish was far superior to the jaw-oil in every respect—so much so that Mr. Kelley, who had about this time become very popular in preparing this oil for the trade, would not buy it until he was told what it was pro- duced from; and from that time to the present, 1876, Caleb Cook’s blackfish-melon (watch) oil has been refined by Kelley, of New Bedford, Bachelder, of Boston, Tisdale, of Newport, and many others on a smaller scale, for the world’s use. Since the year 1842, Caleb Cook, of Province- town, Mass., claims to be the only person who understands the art of pro- ducing this oil free from all glutinous matter and fit for use. This, he says, is done by a process known only by himself—not by mixing other oils or liquids with it, but by extracting all the acid and gluten from it, and leaving the oil pure for the finest and most delicate machinery. This, he says, cannot be done by the chilling and straining process; for when it becomes perfectly transparent at zero, the lubricating properties are all gone, the oil runs off the pivots, spreads on the plates, dries up, the pivots cut, turn red, and the oil is worse than worthless, for the val- uable timekeeper is no longer what it was once for the want of oil with more substance and lubricating properties.
Porpoise-jaw oil and blackfish-melon oil are worth from $5 to $15 per
: gallon, according to supply. These oils are sold under the above trade- names, and also under the names “ watch-oil” and ‘clock-oil”. They
are used largely by manufacturers of firearms, watches, and philosoph- ical apparatus. Smith & Wesson, of Springfield, Mass., the Ethan Allen factory, at Worcester, Bye & Johnson, of Worcester, the Howard
Watch Company, the Elgin Watch Company, the Waltham Watch
Company, and the clock-factories in Connecticut, use them constantly.
" The philosophical-instroment makers use them for air-pumps, as they
keep the leather always soft and pliable. Telegraph-instrument makers Proc. Nat. Mus. 73——2 Published July 1, 1878.
18 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
use them when they can get them. They are used in government light- houses for the clocks of revolving lights. The color of the oils is very light, and can be made very white by placing in the window, where they will bleach in a short time. One drop of water in one pint of the © cil will injure it very much.
It may be interesting to know how those fish or whales are taken. They make their appearance about the shores of Cape Cod and Barn- stable Bay from early in the summer until early in winter; and when it becomes known that a shoal of blackfish is in the bay, the boats are manned and proceed at once to get in their rear; and, as the fish are at the surface of the water the most of the time, it is easy to tell how to manage to keep them between the boats and the shore. While in this position the men in the boats will make all the noise with their oars they can, and that will cause them to go in the opposite direction from the boats and toward the shore; and when the fish find that they are in shoal water, by seeing the sandy bottom, they become alarmed, and go with all their might till they run fast aground on the sand. The boats then row in their midst; the men with lance in band jump out of their boats into the water, and butcher them as a butcher would a hog, and it becomes one of the most exciting occasions that it is possible to | imagine, for the water flies in every direction, and the blood flows freely until death putsan end to the great tragedy. When the water ebbs and leaves them dry, their blubber is taken off, cut in slices, and the oil tried out. About thirty gallons upon an average is what one fish will make, and the melons will average about six quarts. The melons are taken from the top of the head, reaching from the spout-hole to the end of the nose, and from the top of the head down to the upper jaw. When taken off in one piece, they represent a half watermelon, weighing about twenty-five pounds. When the knife is put into the centre of this melon, the oil runs more freely than the water does from a very nice water- melon—hence the name melon-oil.
About the same time that the blackfish made their appearance in our waters, another of the whale species made its appearance also, called by the fishermen “cowfish” and by the historian “‘grampus”. These whales are very much in the shape of the blackfish, only smaller, not so fat, and not so dark-colored. The oil from the melon of this fish is thought to be superior to anything yet found in the blackfish or the porpoise. It is of a very yellow color, and when reduced by the chill- ing and straining process it appears to have all the body and lubricating properties that are wanted for the very best watch-oil; but as it will take one year to determine it by practical experiments, it is thought best to keep it out of the market for the present.
This fish has made its appearance in our waters but three or four times in the last forty years, or about once in ten years. The method of taking it is the same as for the blackfish. |
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 19
THE CRAIG FLOUNDER OF EUROPE, GLYPTOCEPHALUS CYNO- GLOSSUS, ON THE COAST OF NORTH AMERICA.
By G. BROWN GOODE and TARLETON H. BEAN.
- An unfamiliar pleuronectoid fish was found in our waters, in 1877, by
the United States Fish Commission (Prof. 8. F. Baird, Commissioner). Numerous specimens were trawled in the deep water off Salem, Mass., on La Have Bank, and on the coast of Nova Scotia, off Halifax, in Halifax Harbor, and in Bedford Basin, Halifax.
A careful study proves that they belong to a well-known European Species, the Pleuronectes cynoglossus of Linné, lately referred by Pro- fessor Gill to the genus Glyptocephalus of Gottsche. We also discover the identity of this species with Glyptocephalus acadianus, described by Gill, from a single specimen (No. 12685), taken by the Commission in 1872, from the herring-weir on Treat’s Island, Eastport, Me.
Below are given detailed measurements of twenty-two individuals, including authentically named European specimens from the University of Christiania, and the Bonaparte Collection, the type of G. acadianus, three specimens from Massachusetts Bay, five from La Have Bank, and eleven from the vicinity of Halifax.
The genus of Gottsche was carefully redescribed by Professor Gill in 1873,* and at the same time was published a full specific deseription of the Eastport specimen. Although this description is founded upon an individual which is among the most elongate of the series before us, it is thoroughly satisfactory for all, if the tendency to variation in the following particulars be noted.t
(1) Height of body.—This is stated to be about 24 of length exclusive of caudal, and 34 in total length. In the series studied, the proportions of this element varied, stated in units of hundredths of total length (including caudal), from 0.245 to 0.375, No. 12685 having it 30. An equally wide variation in the European fish is recorded by Parnell.t
The Pleuronectes elongatus of Yarrell is not nearly so elongated as No. 21061 a (the figure of Couch has height about 0.275); and since no other diagnostic characters have been described, we place it without hesitation in the synonymy of G. cynoglossus.
(2) Height of caudal peduncle——This element is subject to very slight variation, measuring usually 0.07 of total in both European and Amer- ican specimens. The most elongate, slender forms have it slightly nar- rower. In No. 12685 it measures 0.06, and 0.065 in No. 21001 b.
(3) Length of head.—This varies from 0.15 to 0.175. In No. 12685 the
* On a new American species of Pleuronectoid (Glyptocephalus acadianus). By Theo-
dore Gill, M.D. < Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1873, pp. 360-362.
t Instead of having its radial formula D. 110; A. 100, as stated in the description, No. 12685 has it D. 107; A. 96.
} Fishes of the Frith of Forth, p. 210, pl. xxxviii, and in Memoirs of the Wernerian Society, vii, p. 370.
20 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
length is 0.15, and in the European specimens 0.15 and 0.1575 (Christi- ania specimen). The smallest proportion is represented by specimens from Massachusetts Bay and Halifax.
(4) Teeth—In number these are extremely variable. No. 12685, ac- cording to Gill, had on the blind side 17 above and 20 below, on the eye side 6 above and 7 below. A Salem specimen, larger and older, had on
the blind side, above 26, below 28, on the eye side, above13, below 14.
In young individuals, the teeth present the characters described by Gill, having the teeth on the eyed side conical and separated. This peculiarity disappears with age, all large specimens showing closely set incisorial teeth upon both sides of each jaw.
(5) Length of pectoral.—This is extremely variable within limits of 0.09 and 0.14. This measurement refers to the fin upon the colored side. Its shape is also variable; it is sometimes pointed, sometimes obtuse, owing to difference in comparative length of the upper rays. It is usually black, with a narrow whitish tip. The number of rays varies from 9 to 14.
(6) Length of ventrals.—This is also extremely variable on both sides. The range on the blind side is 0.0475 to 0.07, and on the eyed side 0.056 to 0.0775. The difference between the length of the two fins upon the same individual varies from 0.0025 to 0.0155.
(7) Contour of lateral line—In some individuals this is essentially straight, in others considerably arcuated above the pectoral. This appears to be an individual variation. The two European specimens show a perceptible difference in this respect. In his diagnosis of Pleu- ronectes cynoglossus, Dr. Giinther states that the lateral line is straight, without curve.
(8) Position of the eyes.—Dr. Giinther states that in P. elongatus the upper eye is in advance of the lower. This is doubtless quoted from Yarrell. Neither the figure of Yarrell nor that of Couch indicates any such character.
(9) Scales in lateral line—The number cn the blind side ranges from 109 to 150, on the eye side from 110 to 140, there being no relation be- tween the different sides of the same fish.
(10) Radial formula.—In the dorsal this ranges from 102 to 120; in the anal, from 87 to 100. There is no apparent relation between the number of rays and the relative proportions of height and length of body. A large number of rays in the dorsal. is usually accompanied by a relatively large number in the anal.
(11) Transverse rows of scales—Their number above and below the lateral line is nearly equal. The range is about from 40 to 50. There appears to be no relation of number of transverse rows to comparative height of body.
The thermal range of the species appears to be defined nearly by the limits 34° and 45° F. |
iw 2
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PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 21
The synonymy of the genus and species stands somewhat as follows :— GENUS.
Glyptocephalus, Gottscue, Archiv fiir Naturg. i, 1835, p. 156—BLEECKER, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Amsterdam, xiiii—GILL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1873, p. 360.
SPECIES.
Giyptocephalus cynoglossus (Linné) Gill.
Pleuronectes oculis a dextris totus glaber, ARTEDI, Gen. 14, N. 3; Mus. Ichth. No. 39; Synon. p. 31, N. 3.
Pleuronectes cynoglossus, LINNE, Syst. Nat. ed. x, i, 1758, p. 269; ed. xii, 1766, i, p. 456.—GUNTHER, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. iv, 1862, p. 449.
Glyptocephalus cynoglossus, GILL, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1875, p. 361.
Pleuronectes pola, LACEPEDE, Hist. Nat. Poiss. (Suites 4 Buffon), 1819, iv, p. 401.
Platessa pola, CUVIER.—PARNELL, Nat. Hist. Fish. Frith of Forth, 1838, p. 210, pl. xxxvilii— YARRELL, Hist. Brit. Fish. 1841, ii, p. 315.—Coucu, Fishes British Islands, iii, 1864, p. 190.
Pleuronectes saxicola, FABER, Isis, 1828, p. 877.
Glyptocephalus saxicola, GOTTSCHE, I. ¢.
Pleuronectes nigromanus, NILsson, Prodr. Ichth. Scand. 1832, p. 55.
Platessa elongata, YARRELL, op. cit. p. 318.—GUNTHER, op. cit. p. 450.—CovUucH, op. cit. p. 193.
Glyptocephalus elongatus, GILL, op. cit. p. 362.
Glyptocephalus acadianus, GILL, op. cit. p. 361, and in Barrp’s Report on Fish- eries of South Coast of New England, 1873, p. 794.
Dr. Giinther suggests that the fish first cited by Fabricius (Fauna Groenlandica, p. 163), under the name of Pleuronectes cynoglossus, aud subsequently named by him Pleuronectes pinguis (Afhandling. Kongel. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs, Naturvid. og Math., Copenhagen, vol. i, 1824, p. 45), is probably identical with this species. The true rela- tions of the Greenland fish have already been pointed out by Professor Gill (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, p. 218), as well as the curious misapprehension by which the synonymy of P. pinguis and the halibut has been confounded.
The following tables give detailed measurements of twenty-three Specimens, and a list of all the specimens in the National Museum :—
22
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
TABLE I.—Catalogue of specimens in National Museum.
o Sa
&S | 9
Se 2 & Locality.
ea |se
tall be
21000 | 13 | Massachusetts Bay, off Salem....
20001) 124) Dia Haw6 Hank wee wempaercies sae) seewue
21005 24 TEARIA® oe resco sehay cease n< se 50 eee
21017 3 | 27 milessouth by west from Che- bucto Head. ,
21019 | 20 ease eatnees duis saee aan ena Cone
21032 OF ace tons dap ian agiss Saas ee rome
21047 2 Halifax (trawl 113 and 114) ......
21056 4 SEH Fo ABR wise b's cone Pha
21057 Ah ee SAO a See a tata 2 a mie et cere wide aloyaie)| coment
210538 2 Midsichiabigs Bay (trawl 32, 90 fathoms).
21059 1) Halifax (trawl 54) 02 s2c2 cess 2.2
21060 did Halifax (trawwl44) . de sen ete
21061 3 | 27 miles off Chebucto (trawl 85)-.
21062 1 | Halifax (trawl 106, 111 fathoms) -.
21063 1 | Bedford Basin (trawl 111, 37 fathoms).
10068 IY) Buropesoeecss acca oocg sae ace aoe eee
17355 1.| Christiania, Norway....... 4... 5): 2s <aseeeeenre
12685 , | Kastpert, We: . oii... dewnneee
8% When ¢col- og From whom received. Bon lected, g 3 \ a Aug. —, 1877 | United States Fish Commis- sion. GO... ssstescaee dO . sssaveceeen ane some do aasc08l® \.stnuse ah eee Sept. 6, 1977 13 GO . sa /enapiepeee avsawed Sept. 4, 1877 |\s..2.- OO... .anissnene sOeneree Sept. 11, 1877 |.....- GO: «6 nike <aeeteieee Sep!. 24, 1877|...... GO 23.5253 tacdeceeeeee Aug. 6,4877 |.2...: OO 5 wpcienra cantaue see Young. do . Je desU® 3.30 ces. ale coe Do. Aug. 14, 1977 iceaen BD idm d cms katie eee Do. Aug. 95, 1870) cae GO. ccectkdweeceeuares Do. Aug. 21,1877 ).....3 MO: zien sel mae cca Do. Sept. 6,1877|...... BO: none deaxvacnevenn ane Do. Sept. 20, 1877 |...... OG 252 6Skchow nde eee Do, Sept. 21, 1877 |...... OG Kccnwiaendshehmebnnes Bonaparte Collection .......
Norwegian Government .... United | States Fish Commis. sion.
TABLE II.—Measurements.
Current number of specimen| 10,068 Europe, LOCAlby.c00ip cess. dereee Bonaparte Coll. 100ths. Extreme length, in inches.. 15. 75 Body : Greatest height. .......... 0.315 Least height | of tailt s.cee 0. 07 Head: Greatest length........... 0.15 Length of maxillary Shapes 0. 035 Length of mandible....... 0.05 Diameter of orbit. o2s.5464 0.05 Pectoral: Distance from snout ...... 0. 16 be: 1-4 ee sm LS 0. 09 Ventral: Distance from snout ...... (0. 19) Length (blind side) ....... 0. 05 (eye side) ........ 0. 056 Doredl cust sade cha eae 112 PUTS eo cin ake oe 99 EMCbRA . JS. cock scadunomeeee 11 vf ar See et ae 6 Number of seales in lateral line (blind side) .......... 117 (GVO. S108)”. cho cuecaes 115
17,355 21,000 a 21000 b 21,000 c¢ 12,685 | 21,001la@ Christiania, : : Massachu-| Massachu-| Massachnu- La Have he Seg setts Bay. | setts Bay. | setts Bay. Eastport. Bank. 100ths 100ths 100ths 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. lo, Eo ply eh 19 23 9.5 9.9 0. 33 0. 34 0. 325 0. 34 0. 30 0. 307 OL OT i cae oesi.U). deeds Ses eee 0.06 Ci ae ets 0. 156 0. 155 0.15 0. 165 0. 05 0. 16 ©: OF75 boc a. 2. Salas wate aha ate ea ee 0, 0384). seed 2 0. 05 cae weedececbe| dnvdeboee nal — UO. t shen 0. 05 “eee ewww eweler eee eeaeeeeerlir+raeeweeeeenenee 0. 05 eweeeneee OF 1B: Nin Sele bona el i cece wedlnae cee 0.16 Bib ees 0. 105 Weeder the dad] detec kos eee laa’ etst ee OvLO: eka ten O18! Pine. cet ccetares eel eeee tee Bere 0.17 O4058 “liek scctesad 0. 051 0. 055 0. 06 Ae oat, De icice seat 0. 057 0. 057 0. 065 103 112 110 110 107 87 90 93 91 96 11 12 11 13 12 6 6 6 6 6 114 150 138 136 128 116 140 133 134 118
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 23
TABLE II.—Measurements—Continued.
Current number of specimen} 21,0010] 21,001c | 21,001d | 21,001e | 21,005a@ | 21,0056 | 21,017 | 21,047a eS a a ae La Have.|La Have.|La Have.|/La Have.| Halifax.) Halifax.| Halifax. | Halifax.
oe 6 oO
100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths.
Extreme length, ininches ..} 10.2 1S 12 12. 25 19.to 19 16. 25 19 Body: Greatest height........... 0. 295 0, 299 0. 33 0. 325 0. 37 0. 35 0. 336 0. 32 Least height of tail....... De eee ey eee aeons eSeet wines Seer scnscnen | octawebe Head: Greatest length........... 0. 16 0. 16 0. 165 0. 16 0. 155 0. 155 0. 157 0,155 Length of maxillary EE ¢ ee et aa a oe eat ne ds adel oes aban tea cco] aaocarhe ORS TA a) eS Sa ee ee ae res Ore Sees ee nT OP Lee Ge meee oe oe: fone eter, aes eRe ere Sk sie ae J lite wate Calms [va dee ocwes Pectoral: TRIRLAneG ATO) ROM yes os ol te ee ae oes ae Ie «Peek oe tee ee ales oleae ol odeeecec|scoececes| aecneans ees Dees naka a fon ae ie eean Bah [ue ese wane tone @ eine leSmen use| ccenecvl accceene Ventral Distance from snout ......|.....-- Et Se ots be oe bentis ea tia eee le Nd oe. Sct twhwe se Length (blind side)......- 0. 052 1: il (ee ara 0. 055 0. 053 0. 047 0. 055 0. 057 (eye side). ........ 0. 065 0) 058 ivset ae 0. 065 0. 062 0. 063 0. 06 0. 063 REE eee ene a) Sioccis ceeces 115 110 107 113 105 120 106 111 A ers ett te bee ks 97 95 83 98 92 100 90 95 DETTE age se ie aia aaa 11 11 12 13 12 11 12 10 Mpanavale eer i 35 2it 52. 55 6 Oh ifs ete 6 6 6 6 6 Number of scales in lateral line (blind side) .......... 112 130 115 117? 109 133 125 127 ee 119 128 110 1172 115 127 128 125 Current number of specimen} 21,0476 | 21,019a@ | 21,019b/| 21,019 c | 21,019d| 21,019e| 21,032 | 21,06la PEMBURY donaltk cat we taewes << Halifax. | Halifax. | Halifax.) Halifax.|/Halifax.|Halifax.| Halifax. | Halifax. 100ths. 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths. | 100ths.| 100ths. | 100ths. a length, in inches . 24. 25 21.5 19 20 20.25 | 19 19.25 | 114 mm. Greatest height. . sii 0.37 0.365} 0.375 | 0.316 | 0.33 0. 34 0. 365 0. 245 Cab height of ae te 0. 07 Mie freak mets mata anita date sab eetnsa ans 0. 055 ead Greatest length........... 0. 175 0. 16 O:156'} Of152:1; 0.155 | 6.15 0.175 0.165 Length of maxillary Masi aie Vase atetitis oh 0. 03 Ss Se A 8 ae ee OL ee eee 0. 045 Length of mandible. .-.....|...-...--- 0. 05 GOT on aw Seal yews tena g el < ane dene Ree 0. 06 Diameter of orbit. os... .<.|..2..-.-.. 0.05 Miley NG eee ces ce Nee cea |s satan ook 0. 06 Pectoral : Distance from snout ......|.....-...- eld ts een, eee oe ewe oo aaa mn thei eens Joes 0.17 I ce ei sad yale Sica Lr paret tne, 2 0.14 ah Ref ce hs el ee tn atiee letiboac ead 0. 08 Ventral: Distance from snout......|....-.-.-- 0.17 UL le RG epee as | eee eee 0. 20 Length (blind side) ....... 0. 047 0. 07 0. 057 0. 065 0. 055 0. 05 0. 067 0.055 (eye side) ........ 0. 06 0. 077 0. 067 0. 075 0. 06 0. 06 0. 077 0. 055 PRG Be Wes te on 106 109 113 106 114 102 106 104 ST eS eS ey ee oe 92 98 99 91 97 87 90 87 MOMGraeLe. ota Pee ok bo. 12 12 1l il 11 11 11 14 Ventral. ..... ote ee ee cceeee 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Number of scales i in lateral 4 line (blind side). .......... 117 117 130 132 131 119 iL pes |e ) (eye side) ............ 122 121 130 117 127 115 Bor) 42) Webel
NOTE ON SHELLS FROM COSTA RICA KITCHENMIDDEN, COL- LECTED BY DRS. FLINT AND BBANSFORD.
By W. H. DALL.
In their archeological explorations in Costa Rica, while examining the shell-mounds of Culebra near the western coast, a number of shells were obtained from the mounds to exhibit the species of which the shell-heaps were composed. They are, of course, in a semi-fossil condi-
24 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
tion and usually broken, but the following species have been identified :-— Phyllonotus nigritus Mensch., Strombus gracilior Sby., Arca grandis Brod., Chione dionwa Menke, Cardium procerum Sby., and Cardium con- sors B.& S. These species, which formed part of the food-supply of the former inhabitants, are abundant in the fauna of the Gulf of California at the present day.
FEBRUARY 22, 1878.
ABSENIC ACID FOR PROTECTING ANATOMICAL PREPARATIONS FROM INSECTS.
By J. B. 8S. JACKSON, M. D.
Arsenic acid is most intensely strong, and comes in the form of a solid and of a liquid, and the two are of about equal strength. Half un ounce (avoirdupois) of the one, or one-half of a fluid-ounce of the other, is to be added to a pint (f3 xvj) of soft water, and it is ready for use. Any membranous preparation that is to be distended and dried, as a portion of the alimentary canal, any of the hollow organs, an ovarian cyst, an aneurism, and many preparations that are not to be distended, will be most thoroughly protected, I believe, by the arsen- ical solution. A solution of corrosive sublimate will probably prove an equal protection ; but the membrane, when dried, has a disagreeably opaque and ash-colored look, whereas, after the arsenical solution, it dries without any change. I cover the preparation fairly with the solu- tion, and leave it for about twenty minutes, then take it out, let it drain, then inflate or distend it, and, lastly, hang it up to dry.
Boston, Mass., February 19, 1878.
THE OCEANIC BONITO ON THE COAST OF THE UNITED STATES, By G. BROWN GOODE and TARLETON H. BEAN.
A specimen of the Oceanic Bonito, Oreynus pelamys (Linné) Poey, was captured off Provincetown, Mass., in July or August, 1877, and taken to the Museum of Comparative Zoélogy by Mr. James H. Blake, The specimen was lent to the Fish Commission for study. Drawings have been made, and a table of measurements and description are here presented. }
The specimen measures 447 millimetres (17.6 inches) to the end of the caudal carina. In form it closely resembles Orcynus alliteratus. The caudal rays are frayed, and their length cannot be exactly determined.
The height of the body is a trifle more than one-fourth (0.26) of the
length. The circumference of the body (0.71) is equal to the distance from snout to origin of anal (0.70). The length of the head (0.30) is
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 25
contained 34 times in length of body. The width of the interorbital region (0.075) is as much less than the length of snout (0.08) as it is greater than the length of the operculum (0.07). The length of the maxillary (0.11) is nearly equal to that of the ventral (0.115), and more than double the diameter of the orbit (0.05). The length of the man- dible (0.14) is double that of the operculum.
The distance of the first dorsal fin from the snout (0.34) is slightly greater than that of the pectoral (0.325), and less than that of the ven- tral (0.38) by a distance nearly equal to the diameter of the orbit; it is also a trifle less than half the distance from the snout to the origin of the anal (0.70).
The length of the first dorsal spine (0.145) is double the length of the longest anal ray (0.0725). The distance from the origin of the first dorsal to the end of the base of the second dorsal (0.36) is four times the length of the anal base (0.09).
The length of the pectoral (0.15) is less than half its distance from the snout (0.325), and exactly half the length of the head; it is con- tained 63 times in the length of the body; its origin is slightly in advance of the origin of the dorsal, while its extremity reaches to the vertical from the tenth dorsal ray.
The length of the ventral (0.115) is about one-third that of the dis- tance of the first dorsal from the snout.
The corslet is very prominent. Its contour is defined by lines begin-. ning at the edge of the branchial cleft, about midway between the axil of the pectoral and the median line of the belly, extending below, beyond, and around the extremity of the pectoral (which, when normally placed, touches with its tip the outer margin of the corslet), then extending be- yond its tip for a distance nearly equal to its length, round up into the lateral line, down which a narrow tract of scales continues to its extrem- ity, though narrowed toa single row after passing its curve; passing the lateral line, the contour of the corslet curves forward and inward, then ascending to a point distant from the median line of the back about the diameter of the orbit, it follows backward in a direction parallel to this line, to a point opposite the posterior extremity of the second dorsal, where it curves upward to the median line of the body, and completes its circuit.
When viewed from above, the rows of scales appear to be arranged concentrically about the origin of the first dorsal fin. The scales are largest along the edges of the pectoral arch and the dorsal fin, decreas- ing rapidly in size as they recede from these regions. There are about
thirty rows between the dorsal and the upper margin of the pectoral, normally placed.
Radial Formula.—D. X1IV,2+4 12, VII A.2+4 12, VIL. P.28. V.6. Color.—The upper parts must have been deep blue in life; the belly and flanks below lateral line, the opercles, and throat, pearly opalescent white. The lower part of the pectoral arch and tracts at the base of
26 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
the ventrals and anal, as well as those parts of the opercles where the bone is close to the outer skin, were of a chalky white. The corslet is bronzed brown in the alcoholic specimen. |
There are four distinct bluish lines upon the sides, which are nearly parallel with the lateral line, and which constitute the most prominent specific character. The first of these begins directly under the tip of the pectoral, the second at the margin of the corslet, at a point in the line from the upper to the lower axillary angles of the pectoral. The third and fourth are rather indistinct anteriorly, but are very distinct in the posterior half of the body, and are about as far distant from each other as are the first two, the interval between the two pairs being slightly greater than that between the members of each pair, and equal to the diameter of the orbit. The first or uppermost line is nearly straight, the others, following the lower contour of the body, curve upward over the anal fin, and all four become lost in the darker color of the caudal peduncle.
This is without doubt the Scomber Pelamis of Linné, characterized by him as “ Scomber pinnulis inferioribus VII, corpore lineis utrinque qua- tuor nigris” (Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, i, p. 297), and given by Giinther as Thynnus pelamys (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. ii, 1869, p. 364). It is hope- lessly confused by Cuvier and Valenciennes with Pelamys sarda. Pro- fessor Poey assigned it to its present generic relations in 1868 (Syn. Pisce. Cubens. p. 362).
The geographical distribution of this species is not very well known, owing to the uncertainty of its synonymy. The British Museum has two stuffed specimens, one from the Cape Seas, and one from Yarrell’s Collection of British fishes. Couch records it from the Frith of Clyde (July), and from Cumberland, England, and Ireland. Poey has it from Cuba. It has also been recorded from the seas of India and China,
The presence of this form upon our coast was first suggested by Messrs, Ki. G. Blackford and Barnet Phillips of New York, who recognized the species in New York Market from the plates in Couch’s History of Brit- ish Fishes. Only one was seen, and it was unfortunately not preserved. This was in the summer of 1873; and as none have since been found, it may be said, with some certainty, that the species is at present only accidental in our fauna.
DISTRIBUTION OF CALIFORNIAN TERTIARY FOSSILS. | By W. H. DALL.
Further information has been received from Mr. Hemphill in regard to the Tertiary fossils enumerated lately in these Proceedings. These facts, having an important bearing on geological and faunal changes are now summarized.
ee SS Seal ama od oe >» i
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 27
STRATA OF THE SAN DIEGO PENINSULA.
The long, low, narrow strip of land lying between San Diego Bay and the ocean is locally known as the Peninsula. It appears to have been pierced formerly by narrow channels or outlets by which the waters of the bay communicated with the sea, and even now, in heavy storms, the surf breaks over the barrier. At high-water mark is a stratum about four feet thick, containing fossils mingled in a confused manner, above which is a bed of fine sand extending to the surface of the pen- insula, and having a total thickness of some twelve feet. From the lower bed (A) were obtained the: following species :—
Corbula luteola. Drillia Hemphillii. Tellina modesta. Mangilia angulata. Inecina Nuttallit. Odostomia gravida. Pecten paucicostatus. Turbonilla chocolata. Nucula exigua. Turbonilla virgo. Rhectaxis punctocelata. Turbonilla torquata. Tornatina cerealis. Eulima micans. Tornatina eximia. Scalaria indianorum. Volvula cylindrica. Cerithiopsis assimillata. Melampus olivaceus. Olivella biplicata. Dentalium hexagonum. Olivella boetica. Vitrinella sp. Nassa fossata var. Crucibulum spinosum. Nassa perpinguis. Crepidula adunca. Neverita, var. alta. Serpulorbis squamigerus. _ | Nitidella Gouldit. LTitorina scutulata. Amphissa versicolor. Lacuna solidula. Pteronotus festivus. Rissoina Woodwardi? Fish teeth and a sp. of Serpula. Myureila simplex.
From the sand bed (B) were obtained,— Periploma argentaria. Macoma nasuta. Macoma secta. Mactra californica.
Macoma indentata.
In the lowest part exposed of bed A are found Cardium procerum, Dosinia ponderosa, and Anomia limatula, but they do not seem to be scattered through the general body of the stratum.
STRATA OF THE MAINLAND.
On the mainland near the town of San Diego, the land is rather low, gradually rising inland toward some bluffs. To the eastward of the town, or what is known locally as the “railroad land”, a stratum (A?) four or five feet thick is exposed at high-water mark, and, like the stratum A of the peninsula, contains a confused aggregation of fossils, at the bottom of which is a layer of the upper valves of Anomia lima-
28 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
tula, hardly mixed with any other species, and containing, so far as could be discovered, no perfect specimens or lower valves.
Stratum <A’ is regarded by Mr. Hemphill as the outcropping of an extensive formation, probably underlying the whole of the level land back to the bluffs, and presenting estuarine characters. It is sur- mounted by, or passes into, a fine sandy deposit (B?), at least seventy feet thick in some places, containing fossils scattered through it, and it is in this stratum that the fossils from the well were found. In nearly all the wells that have been sunk in San Diego, fossils have been found, showing that the bed is of wide extent as well as of great thickness.
The following fossils were afforded by stratum A? :—
Pholadidea ovoidea. Cardium procerum. Solecurtus californianus. Ostrea lurida. Macoma sabulosa ? Anomia limatula. Tellina Bodegensis. Fissurellidea callomarginata. Donax flexuosus. Crucibulum spinosum. Mactra falcata. Cerithidea sacrata. Clementia subdiaphana. Drillia penicillata. Chione simillima. Scalaria indianorum. Chione succincta. Ranella muriciformis. Dosinia ponderosa. Nassa fossata. Saxidomus aratus jun. Nassa tegula. Petricola pholadiformis ? Cerostoma Nuttallii.
From the well-digging in stratum B? came,—
Venericardia monilicosta. Crepidula princeps. Arca microdonta. Turritella Cooperi. Leda coelata. Turbonilla stylina. Pecten expansus. Nassa mendica. Janira dentata. Cylichna alba. Mamma nana. Cadulus fusiformis.
To which may be added the following species not enumerated from that locality in the list (pp. 11-12) in these Proceedings, but also obtained by Mr. Hemphill: —
Glottidia albida Hds. Inecina tenuisculpta Cpr.
Xylotrya sp. (tubes). Cryptodon flecuosus Mont. Cryptomya californica Conr. Modiola recta Conr.
Solen rosaceus Cpr. Nucula exigua Sby.
Solecurtus californianus Conr. Acila Lyall Bd.
Macoma expansa Cpr. Pecten hastatus Sby.
Clementia subdiaphana Cpr. Janira florida Hds.
Cardium centifilosum Cpr. Ostrea conchaphila Cpr. . Lucina Nuttallii Conv. Placunanomia macroschisma Desh.
Lucina acutilineata Conr. Tornatina eximia Bd.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Cylichna cylindracea Linn. Dentalium hexagonum Sby. Dentalium semipolitum B. & 8.
Siphonodentalium pusillum ? Gabb.
Calliostoma annulatum Martyn. Galerus filosus Gabb. Crepidula navicelloides Nutt. Turritella Jewettii Cpr. Bittium asperum Cpr. Myurella simplex Cpr.
Drillia (four sp. undet.). Surcula Carpenteriana Gabb. Mangilia variegata Cpr. Mangilia (four sp. undet.). Clathurella Conradiana Gabb. Odostomia straminea Cpr. var. Odostomia sp.
Turbonilla torquata Cpr. Eulima rutila Cpr.
Scalaria subcoronata Cpr. Cancellaria (four sp. undet.). Neverita Recluziana Petit. Sigaretus debilis Gld. Ranella Mathewsoniti Gabb. Olivella boetica Cpr.
Nassa fossata Gld.
Astyris tuberosa Cpr. Astyris sp.
Ocinebra lurida Cpr. Pteronotus festivus Hds. Trophon orpheus Gld.
Colus Dupetithouarsi? Kien. Volutopsis (sp. undet.).
29
Chrysodomus Diegoensis Dall.
About ten miles northward from San Diego, on the seacoast of Cali- fornia, are beds of coarse sandstone, of considerable thickness, dipping to the northward. About twenty feet of it (stratum C) are fossiliferous, containing the shells, not aggregated in a confused mass, as in some other cases above mentioned, but distributed much as they might have been while living. According to Mr. Hemphill, these fossils have not the aspect of an estuary deposit, but rather that of animals living in the open sea. Pecten expansus occurring in both the well (B*) formation and this sandstone, Mr. Hemphill supposes that they may be of identical age, but that the different assemblage of species may be due to the one
being formed in an estuary and the other on an open coast.
This sand-
stone bed contained, among others, the following species :—
Pecten islandicus. Pecten hericeus.
Pecten ventricosus. Pecten expansus.
Pecten Stearnsii. Pecten Hemphillit. Pecten cequisulcatus var
Ostrea Veatchii.
Lucina acutilineata.
Opalia anomala. Opalia varicostata.
Scalaria tincta. Scalaria Hemphillit
Adjoining bed C, and composed of recent alluvial soil, eight or ten feet above tide-water, is another stratum (D), in which the specimens are in a poor state of preservation, and nearly all found living near San
Diego at the present time.
-Laqueus californicus.
Cumingia californica. Tapes staminea. Lueina acutilineata.
This bed afforded,—
Axinea profunda.
Acmea mitra.
Acmcea insessa. Fissurella voleano.
30 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Chlorostoma Pfeifferi. ; Mitra maura. YS Surcula Carpenteriana. Monoceros engonatum. | Conus californicus. Purpura crispata.
Neverita Recluziana. Fusus Harfordi.
Near Santa Barbara, the outcrop (C’) upon the seabeach afforded a few fossils, some of which were similar to species obtained from the San Diego well. Among these were the following, all recent species :—
Venericardia monilicosta. Astyris gausapata. Bittium quadrifilatum. Amphissa versicolor. DBittium asperum. Trophon orpheus ? jun.
Lacuna vincta.
The formation within whose limits the beds above described are to be included extends from the Pribiloff Islands southward, at least to Yesso Island, Japan, on the west, and to Chili on the east. A fruitful locality is at Cerros Island, Lower California, from whence Waldheimia Kennedy Dall, and also a number of the species referred to in the preceding article, have been obtained, some of which are described by Gabb in the Paleontology of California.
Jurassic or Cretaceous beds appear to exist at Todos, Santos Bay, Lower California, not far from San Diego. Mr. Hemphill collected here, and has presented to tbe National Museum, half a dozen species not yet critically examined, but containing a fine specimen belonging to the Rudiste, which have hitherto been hardly known as American fossils.
MaRcH 2, 1878.
A REVISION OF THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS BRE- VOORTIA, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF ANEW SPECIES FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO. .
By G. BROWN GOODE.
The type of the genus Brevoortia of Gill is the species described in 1802 by Latrobe under the name of Clupea tyrannus, and later by Mitch- ill under the name of Clupeamenhaden. As has been already indicated,* the former name has the prior claim to adoption, and the species must be called Brevoortia tyrannus. Of this species, there appear to be two geographical races or varieties. One of these is the typical form of the Atlantic coast of the United States, the other a closely allied form from the coast of Brazil, already described by Spix under the name of Clupanodon aureus. For the northern form, the name of Mitchill should — be retained, and the two varieties may be distinguished as Brevoortia tyrannus var. menhaden, and Brevoortia tyrannus var. aureus. On the coast of Patagonia and Paraguay occurs a well-marked species described — by Jenyns under the name of Alosa pectinata. This species is readily —
“Vide supra, p. 8. pe:
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 31
distinguished by its larger scales, which are arranged in 18 to 20 lateral rows, instead of 25 to 27, as in B. tyrannus. The generic relations of this species were recognized many years ago by Professor Gill, and its name should stand as Brevoortia pectinata, (Jenyns) Gill.
A third species occurs in the Gulf of Mexico. It is distinguished by its larger head and fins. It appears to have never been described, and for this form the name Brevoortia patronus is proposed. It is accom- panied by the same Crustacean parasite that is found in the mouths of B. tyrannus, to which Latrobe gave the significant specific name of pregustator.
Brevoortia tyrannus, (Latrobe) Goode.
Diagnosis.—Head and jaws short, the length of the head less than one-third of the length of the body, less the caudal fin, especially short in var. aurea ; the maxillary in length much,less than three-twentieths of the length of the body. Height of body about one-third of total length, in very fat individuals three-eighths. Vins comparatively short, the height of the dorsal less than length of maxillary, and considerably less than three-tenths of length of body, that of the anal usually less than half that of maxillary, that of ventral always less than one-tenth of total length, the length of middle caudal rays one-fifth that of body and less, that of exterior caudal rays usually about three-fourths, often less than two-thirds, and rarely more than five-sixths of total length. Fins all shorter in var. aurea. Insertion of ventral far behind tip of pectoral. Insertion of dorsal about equidistant from snout and base of middle caudal rays, but varying two or three one-hundredths to either side of the median point, and always slightly behind the vertical from insertion of ventrals.
Scales of medium size, much serrated, arranged very irregularly in 24-26 transverse and 60-80 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at: base of pectoral not large. Squamation of caudal lobes moderate.
- Operculum strongly striated in var. menhaden, almost smooth in var. aurea.
Scapular blotch conspicuous.
This species is easily distinguished from Brevoortia patronus by its shorter head and fins, by its slenderer body, and its pectinated scales, and from B. pectinata by its smaller, less regularly arranged, and more numerous scales, and its shorter, less furcate caudal fin.
INDIVIDUAL VARIATIONS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERS.
Head.—The length of the head varies from 0.28 to 0.33. The poste- _ rior end of the maxillary extends to a point in the vertical from the centre of the orbit. The length of the skull, as indicated by the ‘distance _ from snout to nape”, varies from 0.19 to 0.23. The length of snout, _ measured from a line drawn perpendicularly through: the centre of the _ orbit, varies from 0.09 to 0.11. The length of maxillary varies from
32 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
0.12 to 0.145; that of mandible from 0.15 to 0.18. The diameter of the eye enters 435 times in the length of the head. Its width varies from 0.11 to 0.15 in very fat individuals.
Shape of Body.—This is exceedingly variable, and the variation is eaused largely by the fatness of the individual. In very plump ones, the expansion of the belly throws back the origin of the ventrals and anal, and greatly changes the appearance of the fish. In the specimens before me, the height of the body ranges from 0.31 to 0.383. The table of measurements subjoined shows the effect of increased height of body upon the other measurements of proportion.
Fins.—The range of variation in the position of the dorsal is indi- cated in the diagnosis. There is no appreciable correlation between the positions of the dorsal and anal in the same specimen. The insertion of the anal is distant from the snout from 0.68 to 0.75. The lengths of the rays in dorsal, anal, ventral, and caudal vary much, as the table of measurements indicates. In the caudal, the upper lobes vary from 0.16 to 0.25; the lower lobes from 0.18 to 0.27. The relation of the pectoral and ventral fins is much affected by the length of the head, the inser- tion of the former being thrown much further back in long-headed indi- viduals.
Scales.—The degree of serration varies much in individuals as well as the squamation of the bases of the vertical fins and the number and regularity of the body-scales. In young individuals, the scales are arranged with much regularity; but, in adults, I have strong reason to believe that scales are intercalated here and there, throwing the arrange- ment into great disorder, and rendering an accurate enumeration impos- sible.
Varieties.—The series before me embraces some two hundred specimens of Lrevoortia tyrannus of various ages, seasons, and localities. Almost every feature is subject to wide variations, and there is usually no decided correlation between different characters except that a long head is accom- panied usually by long jaws, and a pectoral set farther back and extend- ing more nearly to the insertion of the ventral. There are, however, certain groups of individuals which can be included within a diagnosis which may serve to distinguish them from all the others of the same species. To what extent it is desirable to define varieties which are not separated geographically, I am not well satisfied. The exact mean- ing of the terms ‘‘ sub-species” and “ variety” as employed by Cope, Coues, Gill, Yarrow, and other recent writers has not been definitely interpreted. It seems desirable, however, to designate in some way the limits of variation from the normal specific type in different direc- tions. With this purpose, and premising that by a variety I mean sim- ply a divergent form, connected by intermediate forms with the typical specific form, [ have thought it desirable to name provisionally two — varieties, and to call attention to others which may possibly exist. This — is done with much hesitation, and only with a view to an attempt to
= +
=. @ > .
»
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 35
formulate the minor difierences to be observed between fish of the same species on different parts of our coast. A precisely parallel case is to be found in the shad of the different Atlantic rivers, which are well known to exhibit strong distinctive marks. Very possibly every school of menhaden has its own characteristics. In every case where | have had an opportunity to observe them, the individuals compésing the same school were closely similar to each other.
The typical form of the species as now defined is taken from the coast of Southern New England and the Middle States. It has the height of the body about one-third of the total length, the head three-tenths of the total length, or a little more, the maxillary long (0.14 to 0.143) and exceeding the height of the dorsal.
The species described by Spix under the name of Clupanodon aureus cannot be distinguished by any apparent specific characters from Bre- roortia tyrannus, since one or more of the specimens of the latter species before me partake of some of the peculiarities of the Brazilian form. There is, however, a general average of characters exhibited by the Brazil- ian specimens as well as by the figure of Spix, with which they closely agree, which seems to me to entitle them, for the present at least, to receg- nition as belonging to a distinct geographical variety. The distin<tive characters appear to consist in (1) a greater average height of body: (2) a lesser length of head ; (3) a lesser average length of maxillary and mandible; (4) a slightly lower anal and dorsal fin; (5) a greater average distance of anal from snout ; (6) a greater average length of the middle caudal rays; (7) a shorter average pectoral ; (8) a more regular arrange- ment of the scales, and a more luxuriant growth of small seales at the bases of the fins.
A number of specimens from Noank, taken in 1874, vary quite as mach from the normal type and in almost the same respect as the variety just described. The maxillary and mandible are shorter, however, than in the Brazilian form, the anal fin lower, and the lobes of the caudal are extremely short, sometimes hardly exceeding in length the pectera! fin. But for the fact that these specimens show almost all the charac- ters of the Brazilian Breroertia, and in some cases exaggerations of them, I should be inclined to consider the aurea a distinct species. Having with some hesitation allowed it the rank of a variety, the ques- tion must be decided as to the propriety of also allowing varietal rank to this peculiar form from Noank. The exact meaning of the terms sx/- species and variety as recently employed by zoologists is not very clear to my mind, but I infer that a “ variety ” is composed of an assemblage of individuals varying uniformly from the typical specific form in a degree sufficient to be susceptible of description and definition, though not necessarily separated from it by the absence of connecting forms. Premising then that in giving to the Noank specimens a varietal name my object is simply to define the limits of variation from the norma
Proc. Nat. Mus. 78——3 May 8, 1878.
34 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
type in a given direction, I would provisionally propose that they be
designated as variety brevicaudata.
The specimens from the Saint John’s River, Florida, are extremely variable in every respect. Certain individuals show a tendency to elongation of the head and fins, and also a slenderness of the posterior part of the body, and nearly all the individuals from that region are more lightly and gracefully shaped. They all have a tendency to a yellow coloration, especially upon the caudal lobes. I have not felt justified, however, in calling it a variety.
I have not had an opportunity to study the Maine schools, but am inclined to believe that their differences are very perceptible.
Table of Measurements.
Carrent number of specimen ..2.- t=. 5 a wee ; | are aos oan te 20,666 a. ee ; | Wood’s Holl, | Wood's Holl, Wood's Holl, Se OR ee ee ee : Mass. Mass. Mass. anim, 109ths. , Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. Very fat. Plump. Extreme length .../+).-..<so3ayveke bee) ft 1k ees! 5) Ne fe ee eS | 243 | Rake Phe 1301 al sanheeek Body: Greatest height ...3...s335 2.2 eee ee oe be ee 8 | eee 314}... 25258 344 Least height of tail..-.-....dstgacs eete ae |--------] PR es Peers terre es Length of caudal peduntla 235-2 Ak ae rsh dA 94 fe Bs hae eee wt od Se a ae Head : | Greatest length.............. Sees Te eh hy oh. hh sec ee” OSE Vitis i} Bia 31 Distance from snout to nape ....-.....-..--.---- ne ah SA | . 20° 'lesssenct AL eee 204 Greatest width: .i23:.100.. eth Le eee ee ee ee |, PAP Ech hl hee hho Length of snout from perp. from centre of orbit.|..-.--.. 10 Beta 10° ha etees 104 Length of opercalum j i12.4.03..025.5-.0400 1X HM Srantte Sd esta | oA 9 Length of maxillary —A...n'. Seppe caaesteeaase pL RS eee ! 143) ebeos 14 Length of mandible... 3-254 i still cA eee Te | AAs / i gS ae 7 a! from snout to centre of orbit ..........)....---- pA eseee ae MOS sat tone ates 10} Dorsal : | Distance from snout... . oc dithigd anbeehnnttasane ake ee if ee ee Fa ee 49 Length of base |. 01/3 Av AA tt) Bete ce aden tapes 19 Wen oe TVG je Ske ae 173 Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal............|-------- =) i ae IDE thasad steed 354 End of dorsal to end of anal .........2..s+scee+|.---+00- De Nea See 7): Naat ipa 2 25 a neth of longest rays Loo wed subs snains ocean jy ie epee 41°74). ace 124 4 eneth of last-ray i242 74525 herb hee 338 oneal eran St hee Aer (Re es: 64 a Distance from showk, S27. 50.hdas skeemas phates Ta. tage oie 72 3225. Spee 72 Length of base ...:9, 0.25 spa0~t hohe sta gene Ane 4 hate peo Petes 154 Origin of anal to origin of dorsal...........-----|-----e+- aed eee de | asees oa 36 Length of longest ray... 2 ée~ depends bedded dataareweee Sn ee Ok |i vd ow des 6} L ength of last. TAY cowed 6 eo ud saa eeeh oe eee SS eee ee SON is hap 4} Caudal : Length of middle rays. ; wil de\Vectice oath ae | 2 eee fi ere dg Leugth of external 1: ays, ‘superior. dig. See | .) ads eae a 20 ||. 22 eens 20 Inferib’ 22 Fiseqe~ teks ee pees 2 ey ae 23 lc enenee 23 Pectoral : Distance from snout occ cnsendceddewacd dene eal Sax | = i kee ee 9. Vateemen 30 Distance of tip from snout... ..25. siecsces-c Js dodieee eee | te | 438° "li... fests AG Length . -.-...--0---20-s7-en<-anagpeas ecume nine seaeee 19° | naccsee). op ECR 18 Length of longest axillary appendage...........|-------- A | eS | se nnivae thane oh ah slee eneeee Ventral: Distance from snout .......---..- i gh). ER ESEESS eee fa © Se Le ie iat A SL Pe ne ean eER TF Oe eet Th | hued aes 9 Origin of ventral to end of dorsal .............--|.«------ tual tty dn OS) odanum re 33 a ees epee A Fe $8 Ls}. cees Da Pee © 20 Jecceeess MNS 8). Als os been dvkek eae: eee gy Aap F 90: Teveegeaa aban
aa aan
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Table of Measurements—Continued.
35
Current number of specimen......................-- 20,666 b. 18,049 b. 1,696 a. « P Wood's Holl, Saint John’s Indian River, Locality ---..--..+-+++ 2200222222 see eee reece ; Mass. River, Florida. Florida. Mitlim, 100ths. | Millim.} 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. Fat. EID 8 oe Se oe we ene Seedy os Net 132 | saawcss ee eee aor) 9G: ToSSSt Body : oe AS SE ee ee see nee en) Pen ee et ey eee ee Yl Ee a 37 Head: / ) ee oes Pe eer ae ee ee es hs a ee 30 Distance from snbul fo nape.<...-.~ .< .. = --sscwes | ewe eee 23) fece ons Oe eee 20 ERE T PEST Gf eS ES ee oe ee en (Pe Sree ge Pee Fee eas cy Oo eed | Length of snout from perp. from centre of orbit.| .---..-- 1S ewe. -. IG} sey = 10 ey a SS ae eee epee oe yee ) Sob tee. i ee re 9 ee eer eee Pe mere ps RE bepress ig OM | fk | 13% er tere tere Coe eee URES: "ol ok ee ee 17 Distance from snout to centre of orbit ..........|.----.-. Beier: Seee 2 fadlc. Dorsal: . ) ee en Seaenenes Pa Basile <*- 49 | Ath ae 50 OS er eer er eer ty eee 18 |........ 17 Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal ....... ....|.-.---..) eg ne TAY: bei foes 36 End of dorsal to end of anal...... Ha Fae wera le 1 beatae as SEN a 2. i) ie 30 Co ee en ae Pee 126 bec aes rere ee 13 SS Ve ee eee eee Pe eee Gb ee os eee 5 Anil: I EMINEM, oo een cac cnc cicomesn nae] sobsnane yy Ne Ea a a 72 AS Eee ee ee ee eee Eee ee Sacre it ga Cee 16 Oryin of anal to origin of dorsal.........-...--.|.-.--.-- et eee «iP eae 38 ey eee Ga tescte=s Shae... <: *3-+- ga ee ae eee eee eee Goto Ee ee *3+- Candal: ee ERY oc ob cay san vecews wan snc| snc dem-% gd eee Saree seeu. *44 Length of external rays, superior ..............-|.--...--| eas The ye 722 MERSIN ons cise aha aii go ete eos / Te Ae eee Ce eee *24 Pectoral : NN Se i 2 omer 5 ad Ree ae ae 30 DIntanGy Gt tip 4rOm-PNONG-.. ..5. 5 s=:-55-~.55--..0 feces oe 46EH ewe © fad fers Sieg be sea Dre Length of longest axillary appendage..-.-........|.--.---- TR ce wat A rs eee Ventral: ‘ LUST Aa eS ae ary eA | nee ee 5 iad tet ee 50 OG ee ee ee eS hake) ee / SP eee ee Hh got hati, Ria oll Ve Sac Origin of ventral to end of dorsal ..-......--.-..|.-.-----| Eg BE ee Se eo 35 wo ES PO cr dag CES det Ae ee at (ee ee Te ee. Pe eee 2 ee eee oe yee es | Pas 5: Current number of specimen ......-.---..... ie ey | 5,152. 17,927. | 19,046. }: : Saint John’s Saint John’s LOCALITY ---- one ne = eter eee ne ener a ees ; West Florida. River, Florida. | River, Florida. / Millim.| 100ths. | Millim. 109ths. | Millim.) 100ths. / | ‘ / ee’ 6 a ee pe ee ee 101 | Bole Sag 7G - Ase oe a Body: ) SEO EO ee, ee an ae ee Wen ee arn 32 OS aps Sn ah COE ae eee MRS Wee yy ieee” ot |e ea 9 Length of caudal peduncle .....-..... aig tents tyih tye. Ry ats tere boot neater. / Seg 8 Head: : ep SR MIN RAINS Sls ooh in wham ain = wan Mieieine Anim | > mw ch a a ee oe 33 Distance from snout to nape ...........-.00.---fceenen a SOE HLL RS, 205 EN REE EE eT SI REE ee 0 ee eee | ee ee 12 Length of snout from perp. from centre of crbit.|........ Oe a SG tarde wi22 os 104 Length of operculum ...-... .--.--..-.-------- mas Ue ae efi ag eee ha Re SS 94 I go) TE Ee eae aa oe Been td 3 5) ie Fe | Se ee 143 eee iy SE ae oe nek ac ann inn 4- hapa’ ~~ fe hain ae ere 18 Distance from snout to centre of orbit......-....|........ lead Wadd bool See [e8s-. 2s 104 Dorsal : Ee O@O AOU NONE te, oe oy ok ie. ode Heme ds| en cues 46. Pectaas i See 523 ‘Length of base..... ee OE eee a ae lg aS TE 17 Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal ............].......-- ot PEE Se rt [age 34 End of dorsal to end of anal ......--.....2-.eee0-|--ee-0-- ie eee oes Ser Hae AA 25 UN Reet Soop ewialey uLqnta|soees a cefvceces «- C4 See 12 IE ET SS "haa RET Te Eee soa, SIP. fone
36 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Table of Measurements—Continued.
Currentimumber of specimien’......- 1. dedsecis...e. 5,152. 17,927. 19,046. , : Saint John’s Saint Jobn’s TOABUAR uited {--'- .e-cadot, deninte + co liek edie ; West Flouda. River, Florida. | River, Florida. Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. | atti, 100ths. | \eoo mse Re: —_—_——_— Anal: Distance fram, snout oe. a eine dena enic nes stor css ele 2s min amet eee eee GB er ehh 72 Length i Dag0; poss <n odevh- steceneeess 4 eaeee™ itis | <.nema, <2] od oo el<la! Sie 16h. hbieene 16 Origin of anal to origin of dorsal - ......2..-.-20+|s.e0e0-+-|-cesnen-|onse-oee OS i) eae ‘ 324 Length of loutest ray... ..-.vebd s+ ccessnes a nice lennemne| = sisies cee eee Gh .chaiatl das 6 Length Of lash Tay 2 eee een es = ceckens «oes |ecn = sbige lagi cee ee D heaceeeae 64 Caudal: engih Of MIde-Tays .. .... -.<<sics cmeiseo 6.5 20p256= 05 \an0=05 col aa ee So, \ucdsueee 5k Length of external rays, superior ..--....---.--.|---+----|.--- ---J-------- 21 fica eee . 20 - inferior: ..-........---.|tuniee se cieaieNe anne eee Ral ; dete dehoats 24 Pectoral : Distance from sHout. .:.:.. 2000-05 toe + es ce eet eh ee ee Ske bss Gaeta 32 Distance of tip from snout . ...5.22 5. ne ao ea ae dt ase oh el ey eae eens AD siccte Fae de 50 TOD BEN oo on voce conc 6 be nie monje cow igs ae womens np ohn) eae eel ee BQie lacie étage 18 Length of longest axillary appendage ...........|..-..-..|.e.-ae--|sseeee-- 12 45a eyes Ventral: Distance from snout ...- 0.20602 beet ewan nee ieee he ee ee 49 oA suk tena 48 Ui 1 ae | eee mers ere ee ee < demas) eae eee Er eer ts oe 9 Origin of ventral:to end of dorsalis... ...-2.,0ace|-<-- ==) ansa asin eee 338! |Laasoead 30 Doped). TAVB.= .2- s20y i vase coomnp cote e ests Sele OO Sls ciara ie 2h. | suas Sania 1GtORMB Ig. 2. 5 PTE TYE. «mo. on shea <= 6 fins So peaes Bane ae eee ML, ieee cine i ae Ble trastints as Current number of specimen...... ..-....sceeecccees 19,044. 18,049 a. 19,468. . int John’ i n’s | re gues Danaality ).- ch, B 2 bec he nti ae REE ; oye Ya. via onn's | Virginia. Millim.) 100ths. | Millim.) 100ths, | Millim.! 100th. é rs) eae ks by = | Extremeilength...-:<5.2bc cas segeae tke serene LOG} tae aad 144. |rcwnscient ) Rae Body: Greatest height’... <. vend. > Lae toh apeeweabha owls Oual ome Oa lied may a" 8 See Least height of afl... 2... cite advance wide sess salanenne = sls gen ple om |neieeie aves lls eee ee Length of caudal peduncle........-.-...---scccs|cccceces hie ‘ ane ee Head : Greatest dough. 4: cis dicen dsevabenees Hk s0a% ees > ae eA Pee OF eae Distance from snout to mape ..........06-00-ee0s|-- + e--ne Oo. Laskaspay 19 .s aoe Greatest WIG. 550 cho tus deans un 0 ftw aw paw le Boe ee 1D Lidagiade Tihs San ames Width of interorbital area's. wc... oiscsicnicee cdf ieweew’ J iucs See feat ee evel toueae nits ae Length of snout from perp. from centre of orbit..|........ os Oey 10> licaap een Length:of operoalait. duss wx decon=c6de es sekeanel-t>'eveis ere ey abt Pr Length of maxi Gaon ok nictas fons > 25 bans s Orla Uk oe a +. gee PRs fe 19° 1.55 Yale Leneth of msndiyie s, oss <nke clu ptbg ten’, <pas id oly] rene ot Ee perverse 163 |; nano Distance from snout to centre of orbit ........-.|......-- £9 YP Guwes se 11 Wisscdes Dorsal : Distance front enous .. > via sa5 doth ones Kin cee heheeke { a Bee 40 tog ante Lengtl:of .baseusor 4. 15368 c eee, adic en Pee] cos eee | UT Wiletes sas UK). | aaa Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal............|.......- ae. eRe Se 96 vadvnwte End of dorsal to end Of Qa0l ooo. i. dsc spcccctovele tuannnd OT lve semua eee Length of longest THY: «ssp «0s ¥e% ene bask ete | ee I ae PE 1Q}.,|,. ceva ow Length of leat. 89 . 220d. <eestphay chau se) peel eweee ey 6 és Ob.) caewane Anal: | Distance from spent 22... «sss ak Veo - cs bukeen aaa ee 1) ee Boers Th x) aaiewwias Length of base saukcd<vcches dethdics les tee eee ee ee 1 Th biemud ab Origin of anal to origin of dorsal.........---..-.|.--....- ie ees BT. iva chevas Length of longest ray ... cece edits s «esd as se seladeenee G i AGéaawes roe Mrrrist nase OF lat B09 . cok sins odeues Oes« Spanien bia B inp ditpadin Oe \veadiaga Caudal : | Length of middle rays. . a bills a «'= b> wpa sip ole ee 6 idhss tat Bittntrne vie de Length of external rays, super LOG’... «alin: pains aahslnn a plince tee Do BB: rane ine Sigs TATOTIOE 6.2: o's «'s.nin. «pees eel 29 Nae ema 27 | swcnwse Pectoral: Distance from sueut ...np059 »«va<ani «s=nesbeeeenlen eee Ue eee 0 Pee ee Distance of tip from snons......5..-.--ca> sh schnedelaseuenen rt ee ee Ne 45 aan COM GUN on amy » 5 cle sae nc Sepp tok ele eh cee ene 18 Tes bane BB jinind oa at Length of longest axillary appendage. ..........|.-00-n0c2|<ecseans|ewscenss|s eres reer Ventral : Distance from snout .......... > « feb ae ween de viehhes «yea 48, Jos asueas BP ei Lnteate ¢ RUE cicero vedinc sss tse seeesdunaeemadks Vee eee ee ees Bh :| eevee Origin of v shape to end of con Pee ep eer a ae ee nee Dihees. | wires etka TORRE vcascods «s chgpeaesuetesvisse nee 19 ie LS ilies tached 1 Anal rays........... eh ovepadenes sent capes eee eee ae ee | ee ey 21
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 37
Table of Measurements—Continued.
Carrent number of specimen: .............-......... 14,846 a. 14,246 b. Var. aurea. |S) Set Ro eee aeaee ; Noank, Conn. | Noank, Conn. eee * Millim.| 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. | Millim. | 100ths. 0 a ee ea eee EFAS Pore’ c 3.0 ie eee 2 Oh ea y: RIO, sore ais ant oa SEY orton Sade ae ha ation oe a Shee gee 35 Head: : (0) SLD a iene ee eee Gee ee eg Pet Pe pee Q74 Distance from: snont to nape ........-------.----|.--..--- ere EL AY OS HOTEL IS. 21 Length of snout from perp. from centre of orbit.|.--..--. sO! | Gel aE ae | 10 Renrth emepgranam. 2425. 2e: ae ea Sa a oe Be Ss Sh pote wap eee ofoa = epee MIRGT Or MRR UNED 2 nce wen 3 5c awn anim wasp = oo “COW CER ae | 12 |........ | 12 Length of mandible.........-... SAREE 25 SPE Fa so Beek Ce Bee ae | Pay Vesa oc 15 Distance from snout to centre of orbit .-........|.------- Me ee | a A ee BS eS Dorsal : LS SO a a as ae Sao | A Se ee 7 2. ol po oy EA aE EN Ee 1 er ed oe ee he ees tap" AE ca, (5 n5 RR Origin of pectoral to origin of dorsal. ...........|.----.-- eee ns Pe oe End of dorsal to end of anal ............-..2000.|---+--- = gE hen aap al oo) tiseed-la-nius << RRs Oi ORR TO ans oe sea de ane oe fade sy | komm dp - + Webcast 4 ow ae S 10 MN ONG «cece aes ot cece n pas cemeacsca-| somes =e iva aes er foe a dase 4 Aral: PereTCOMEMMMEM DS.) 2260s ok oo aon ct cae ttnseds = ys al ed as Me tease oes 73 pe LOR ABO ob tet hey St ose agnqse Laws Joab e eee BD. Fier ss cee ) Dia Wee 2 lee een Origin of anal to origin of dorsal................|.--.---- DU A Pra oa NE BREE > gem mm Ae Mammen Gay | aa. «42 5 om mins o- 1550565 Is wml de: ot) eee rei s /o 8 52- 5 EE es ie an San cnn nee ae Aedan ed - 2 Ca ee BCI chen as a 1 Caudal: Bo BO | ee eae ae Wee 5 Length of external rays, superior...........-.-.|-------. cj iy, Oe | oe FE eee 23 RP IOD a ond ox os eye |= petals bef Sea ae ae Pectoral: TE INN is Sin aod = acne» wins ba Tet ee re . ee 28 Dinmece gr tipiizrem sious . 22.222 2. ls. ad SSH! RSENS 3 3) 225 42 (2 > gentle a iA ESTE SORES EE es res Ses 15 Ventral: 2 ee | ee f St, bee wes An ee 49 wo PES. SAS eo 2 eee ES a EO (nee we COs Ae WM ibeces oc 8 Origin of ventral to end of dorsal ...............|..------ + ie Sane - ot (ES a SE SS Rl et ee eee ee ee eee het sacs - 9 Thy We Ree en RMN 8b fot, aM gown dks He men soaps ee uky BOb Eis toes | OO he Te AE 2 Son wi : | Var. aurea. Var. aurea. Current number of specimen ---..................-. cece ) M.C. Z. a. M. C. Z. b. age of Locality ...-.-.. at ORE SES SOG ee GES. = eae | Sambaia, Thayer | Sambaia, Thayer | aurea. Exp. Exp. | Millim. | 100ths. | Millim. | 100ths. | 100ths. ee ee ee ee oe RENIN SIR ot. on as Sees c a be cai «= Shy ws ! fees. oo BE ES cone nner oe Body: a OE Sa a Ee | a Rae eee SAN STAR 34 35 Head: | erat SOME nt igs oie Kew ees adn eeinw ccs cnc lasimmde cock oe Mt) OF 29 28 Pistance from suoub te nape 2 2 se haee aoc acs oo foes See tek iS a ee eee 22 2L Length of snout from perp. from centre of orbit.|.......-.. eg ee ee 10 Fa Leneth of maxilery -<4---:-.2--...<% SRS alls sci BE Seco bs pees OS lsuge Fe 14 13 ge ee” a eS ee ee ee Sen / oe eT a 17 152 Dorsal; Deane Treall MOOTEG of. 25 ay oo cv ob iin Ses 2 hace Sen as | ol) olan 48 49t Leper of longest ray 5-25: +3. --- desap- deceek 2s beeen ae ees 10 10; (Og Og aE eS ee eS Se ee ee See eee | Le eee - 3 5 5 Anal: PURASROO TOON ROE eo no wae mas a sfan man Sn ase a) [eons 0 73 73% SB en ae ee Ae ee ee ee Gi jacks tS 8k 5 ot pO gL aS eee ee ee. ee ee a oe aA biccee ot a. 3 32 ‘Candal : oR, a a er 6 |. ssesguae 5 DF Length of external rays, superior................|..-..--.-- QWripewo Hits 23 234 Pectoral: Distance from snout ......... 2.02.2 ceccee Ly 4f4) 52 e Pale ee ee 30 29 Distance of tip from snout .--....-..- a SS AS Oe ee ah..\ 22 5dssiad 47 44h ae ek SS, oS ae I ae Faas Nae eee A han erga 16 153 Ventral: ‘ Distance from snout ................ REND Re MS ee ae GR Sai vined d ofeas 52 514 Length ...... ae ER 2 eee Pats A ie eee ere 7 73 Dorsal rays ...... ee Hee eee pnn oS RET Ps Re _ Se Aen BE DRA [essen Je ois
38 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Brevoortia pectinata, (Jenyns) Gill.
Diagnosis.—Proportions of head and jaws as in B. tyrannus. Height of body almost three-eighths of total length, and greater proportionally than in B. tyrannus. Fins nearly as in B. tyrannus, but uniformly aver- aging slightly more; the height of the dorsal somewhat less than three- twentieths of total length; that of the anal equal to or slightly less than half the length of the maxillary. The caudal fin is somewhat longer and more furcate, the length of the external rays never being less than five-sixths of the length of the head, while that of the medial rays remains proportionally the same as in the species first described. Inser- tion of ventral somewhat behind tip of pectoral, this fin and the dorsal being uniformly somewhat farther back than in B. tyrannus ; the inser- tion of the latter from one to four one-hundredths posterior to a point equidistant from the snout and the base of the median caudal rays, and, as in B. tyrannus, behind the vertical from the insertion of the ventrals.
Seales very large, considerably serrated, and arranged regularly in 18 to 20 transverse and 50 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at base of pectoral not large. Operculum smooth, or with inconspicuous and few striations. Squamation upon lobes of caudal extensive and conspicuous. %
Variations.—The variations in the individual specimens studied are not of great importance, and are indicated in the table of measure-
ments. Table of Measurements.
|
Current number of specimen....-..-...-...- 1709. M.C. Z. a. M. ©. Z. b. Aver- Tete y'.. .- os dances paditu hse Putas Sana Paraguay. | tio Grande. Rio Grande. age. Millim.| 100ths. Millim. 100ths. | Millim.| 100ths. | 100tha. | ' Extreme length 2... -c.vccsssa0+0 ode dae DORs editan ee i), a eee 203"|..3\ -sreutall ae ee Body : Greatest height...... 5 iat a alata nig’ @ ©) aaa) ea ee OO) | cw bake a oe ee 36 3H Head: Greatest length ....c005as=52 bwdeme aie eels Sane BD. ibs wnat BO bls Veen 30 32 Distance from snout to nape.........-..|-...---. i 7) on ee 21 21 Length of maxi llary...a.i. .:0863bddviee sl idtaes Oe TN a aire ats AS ible chive gee 14 14 Length-of mandible i... a8s.cees0t sack encode 1G . devesdnat 16 | weaves 16} 17 Dorsal: Distances from snout... as cds cues degucstaee aie ee OB iiacget 51 52 Length of longest ray ............--.e0 <lhese ota are 12h | swine eke WO Matesioagy 12 12 Leagthof last (27,10. i5b-dattsasaddehapibaeeen 6 il enkenienl 1 a apeey pee 6 6 Anal: Distance from snaut...0+. 2J5.- irs senedele<dvewal TO} |. -sesaas 70 |ocbenea 72 rel Length cf longest ray ...-... SS a ie rate Rie eae 4 i keoews ee O Vis eavete 5 oD} Length of laat Tay wcxsnssewt avives bnoo Seen 6 | «enkxass 4 Mec uwey 4 4} Caudal : Lengthiof middle TAYS ..0: J Gcsnws eumwnlcal een Oh sin deal 6 hee 6 6 Length of external rays, superior ......|...-.... QA) ebeaas 25 Nise rae 25 25 inkerior . 6...cisha> eae 98 .L eeu V7» |entbaaw 28 | 87 Pectoral : ) ) Eyistence from. PAU «4. < +0 \dend ssp <pecclanenel MD 2) i scidelen 20. weseees 30) 305 Distance of tip from snont ...........2.).ccsses- SA hase deee MON II 47 48 ee a eae See eee, re IS | bese IT bv etet ou 18 17} Ventral: ) Teapoe from agent. ......3% 6 2 im) +d Sle | veel ae 49 494 SE eae eas eee es 06 | nvepenee 8. | saseen si 8) 8%. ea eee eee eee Tk. #7 |e. eae IL. 17 |.csses ss) Be So 4veweae sel wee ee Po oo OS Sea a ree es ee I... QO dseckacee Ly «bis tee ees | Ae Bee ee ee
Number of scales in lateral line.............| abt. 50 [ccetees AD isi Naeee 40 |... Aten epee ae Number of trunsverse.rows .....-..-..2-24. abt. 90 | ..acsabs ! QO | s\0r'ae 9 BD 4|..00 a till ‘\edaes rer
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 39
Brevoortia patronus, sp. nov., Goode.
Diagnosis.—Head larger than in the other American forms, its length usually more than one-third that of the body, the maxillary about three- twentieths of the length of the body. Height of body always more than three-eighths of its total length, its anterior inferior profile cultrate, con- vex, giving an obtusely rounded profile to the subpectoral outline, and throwing the snout above the median horizontal axis of the body. Fins long and powerful; the height of the dorsal usually equal to the length of the maxillary, and about three-tenths of total length of body; that of the anal equal to or greater than half the length of the maxillary; that of the ventral one-tenth of body-length ; length of middle caudal rays always more than one-fifth and often more than one-fourth the length of the head, that of the exterior rays almost equal in length to the head and rarely less than five-sixths of its length. Insertion of the ventral under or slightly posterior to the tip of the pectoral. Insertion of dorsal always posterior to a point on the dorsal outline, equidistant from the snout and the base of the medial caudal rays (sometimes as much as seven one-hundredths of total length), and always in advance of the vertical from the insertion of the ventrals.
Scales of medium size, with entire, fluted margins, arranged regularly (in young) in 24 to 25 transvere and 50 to 70 longitudinal rows. Scales forming sheath at base of pectoral very large, round. Squamation of caudal lobes inconspicuous. Axillary appendages large. Operculum smooth or very delicately striated. Scapular blotch inconspicuous.
The.variations of individuals are sufficiently indicated in the subjoined table of measurements. The most characteristic specimens occur at Brazos Santiago, Tex., and the more northern specimens show a tendency to shortening up of the head, jaws, and fins.
Description.*—The body is much compressed, especially below and in advance of the pectorals ; the contour of the belly between the ventrals and the gill-opening is cultrate, projecting, obtusely rounded. The height of the body equals two-fifths of its length, and the least height of the body at the tail is one-fourth of its greatest height in front of the pectorals. The length of the caudal peduncle, from the end of the anal to the base of the exterior lobes of the caudal, is one-fifth of the height of the body, and one-twelfth (0.08) of its length.
The head is elongated and large, triangular; its length is more than one-third (0.35 and 0.34) that of the body, and its height at the nape is slightly more than its length. The length of the skull, as indicated by the distance from snout to nape, isabout one-fourth (0.24 and 0.243) of the length of the body, and the greatest width of the head (0.13) slightly ex- ceeds the half ofthis. The width of the interorbital is about equal to the diameter of the orbit, and slightly more than one-fourth the length of the head. The maxillary reaches to the vertical from the posterior margin
*To avoid confusion, this is drawn up from the Brazos Santiago specimens, which are most characteristically developed.
40 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
of the pupil; the mandible nearly to the vertical from the posterior mar- gin of the orbit. The length of the maxillary is about equal to that of the longest ray of the dorsal fin (0.15 to 0.16), that of the mandible (0.19) half the distance from the origin of the anal to the origin of the dorsal (0.38) or to the length of the base of the anal (0.18). The distance from the tip of the snout to the centre of the orbit (0.13 to 0.133) equals the greatest width of the head. The length of the operculum is equal to that of the eye: the opercular striations are fine, but distinct and namerous. The dorsal fin is inserted posteriorly to a point equidistant from the snout and the base of the caudal and in advance of the verti- cal from the insertion of the ventrals. Its length of base (0.20 to 0.213) is double that of the operculum. Its greatest height is nearly half the length of the head. It is composed of 19 rays, of which the third is the longest. Its upper edge is slightly emarginated. The height of the last ray (0.10) is equal to half the length of the base. |
The distance of the anal from the snout is slightly less than three- fourths of the length of the body (0.70-0.72), its length of base (0.18- 0.184) one-fourth of this distance. The distance from the origin of the pectoral to the origin of the dorsal (0.37-0.374) is about equal to that _ from the origin of the anal to that of the dorsal (0.38). Its height (.09-.093) is about half its length of base, its least height (at last ray) one- third of the same (.06-.05$). The fin is composed of 22 rays, its edges slightly emarginated.
The caudal fin is much forked and elongate, the middle caudal rays (0.08) half the length of the maxillary, the exterior rays above (0.31-0.32) twice that length, the lower exterior rays (0.35-0.34) nearly equal to twice the length of the mandible.
The pectoral fin is strong, falcate, inserted ander the angle of the subopercnlum, at a distance from the snout (0.35-0.34) about midway to the insertion of the anal. Its tip extends beyond the insertion of the ventrals, its length (0.22) being nearly two-thirds that of the head. | The axillary appendages are half as long as the fin, or more.
The distance of the ventral from the snout (0.54-0.55) is about the same as that of the dorsal, though by the contour of the body it is thrown slightly behind-the point of dorsal origin. Its length (0.10) is equal to that of the last ray of the dorsal.
The scales are quite regularly arranged in about 24 to 25 horizontal and 50 vertical rows. Their free portion is narrow and high. They are entire at the edges, and fluted or crenulated. There are two rows of differentiated scales upon each side of the dorsal line, but they are scarcely pectinated. The scales forming the sheath at the base of the pectoral are large and round.
_ Color.—Silvery, with a brassy sheen upon the sides and greenish gray upon the back.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Table of Measurements.
| |
4]
Current number of specimen....... 892 a. 892 b. B91 a. 891 b. Localit Brazos Santiago Brazos Santiago, Mouth of Rio Mouth of Rio PORES SF aneata <== Ee Te “ie ; Texas. | Texas. Grande. | —- Grande. = | | ) wa > ; ; |Millim. 100ths. | Millim.' 100ths. Millim | 100ths. Millim.| 100ths. | | Mistremo jeneth .......----b5---2-.-! Ge er eS!) oe ) 2 eerere re Srp Ps. Body: | ereatest heiht:. _....--..---..<-s eae eo ee $8 15222 28 415 Pensg heieht of tail .o4 22+ 0. -22525) 205. 2 - SLs otro. he eee ah ame oe 11 Length of caudal peduncle. ..-... ea scakes hy ero Bin he Sask we fic csars PGS SSeS res Head : | Greatest length .........--.--+--- cident rt gh ee oe Ce eee cae p oo-gg Distance from snout to nape -.... |--2+--2- pt ee ! oe SS eee 23 Greatest width .......-.--. ctl |oveeeee: gf; ae bibs «Bach hes 4 MPa 8 eae Length of snout from perp. from | Conire Of OLpitee..- 2c. --<5s: ~~ ee ae Ree et | 1 ae NS TM OTS: 11 Length of operculum .........-.. fortoee 1 lig (TS hg (hal Ft oe oad ee ee 12 PD ES a ee Sere Se See 2 fas BB+ ens =z 143 Length of mandible .........--.. Peas i: im oe a ee 19 xe 18 Distance from snout to centre of | ) Set gD SAREE gente Big hen <5 25505) ae eos ete pee 13 Dorsal: ) | Distance from snout ....-.-.---..|-------- <i eee 2 eae eee 52 Ce a eee aE) ee oe WO- | aworrnt pe ie ae 19 Origin of pectoral to origin of | SS SR ee eee ee aaa a Can) Ree a Bre ee. << ae oe 39 End of dorsal to end of anal....-..|.--.---- . - hg Beep fe RE et > $40dp 2c 28 Length of longest ray.........--- / iatnicieicins | =. paar eae sy ae ee 17 enpiivoer last ray ..--.....-----:|-~-+---4 ee ee D doin ges | Wott 2 9 Anal: Distance from spout -.......-.---|-.------ go Meee Er ve See ok 5 eee 69 Be ee eee eee ee ty ee / a ee 1. ee Phe 20 Origin of anal to origin of dorsal |.--.---- rae RE ee ey ea - LA ee 39 Length of longest ray............|.------- py ee | ee 7k es Rt Length of last ray ......-..-.-.-. oP ante Dy eeeLe Se Cee . Fx s.is 4h Caudal: | | Length of middje rays ..-........|.--. --. S$) 1gkiek: el eee ee a PEO 7 Length of external rays, superior.|.-...-.- ---.----.- RIGA Fie SG OPE ) 2. gl Ree 25 +- inferior .|-------. Sie epee kitde Sa Pee eRe fs SMR SES 2 ve 27+. Pectoral : ) Distance from snout -.-...-........|-------- he: es oe eee gt tl Bees Spe ere 35 32 Distance of tip from snout...--.-. eet gh dpa Ty: a Sree ae ide Soe 52 GRR RE Se: Rae ae SE ae oe Ee oe al ae 20 Length of longest axillary ap- ' . | ES ae ESS GS RS, PE | ct. ..5 | << coe Feces ees on oe Ventral: | Distance from snout ....-....-...-. | ban See ba se) each le B eros. Sea ee Oe ee 51 i Nhs pai a a aaa mre aaa | 10 |-.....-- 10 eget. a 93 Origin of ventral to end of dorsal |.....--.! < Een eo Baga hs a eee 35 Cg ag eel ee iF eee oe se A ae $28 io eh. ) CS eee je Oa ae iat ee Ee : dee oe 4 eR ook eae eae A ee Number of scales in lateral line....|47 to 50 bell as 47 to 50 |..-..--. | abt. 63 |......-.| abt. 65 bes
42 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. Table of Measurements—Continued. Current number of specimen. .....- 891 c. 5,864 a. 5,864 b. 5864 ¢. OM er SS . with wp. < bin- nid sin todo wath Mouth of Tio Grande. 7 = ‘ehi, Bet ; le oz Millim.} 100ths. | Millim., 100ths. Millim. 100ths. | Millim.; 100ths, } Pxpreonte engi. .nja5)- > aselke occas = 49 Pithecmeet OG. Heian tans 81 | fa bbe of Te Ue. Body : Greatest, height ive... -----nsp0226) asenen. | Bs 3B. jewemesns |. 967 eagee 384 Head: | (Freatesh IGMP «.-.- = con 'e ocean = Om neem 2 7 Oro Sin sus nee 30: [t2. sae 33 Distance from snout to nape ..-..|....---- 2) Sl ea es WB DOGARS ee este | 94 Length of snout from perp. from /
COMES OLrOLDIbteL sons cose sas ale aaecee DE Mes ae ees 12 es 10°) [eee il Lengthot opercaluny. 225.0... 59<¢)ee~~ else 5) eS, 1 ee 10 (tchae se 10 Demeter MAXMIATY .-~.2.c'..-0o2]--o2e0s Pe es a, pe eae ee HSS ESE! ER 144 Leacthof mandible... .0.1- ..=--diba«cousee fbr $5) Seem ces | by ae eer en LG sh Pee 174 Distance from snout to centre of |
OPW brant. psetinate as oS eeeic mn ae eee 1 Ee re ee eee Seve ere Sets Spero |
Dorsal : Distance fromisnont -2...5... cease eee epee 50 i] aay 57” tee 52 iRemeth Of base)... -- +. 9 eec-- aoa ai let soa 1G |. .ces os) SO fee 19 Origin of pectoral to origin of
Goesal, onc... k eo hee 5 il) eee biaas Bp Pal Se 93° |: | 36 End of dorsal to end of anal......).....-... i ie a 31 dlc eee 26. Speed 25 Length of longest ray...-.-..-.-.|....+- r? Bp RE Rap 14) leu Soa lu) ol ee |. 14 Length of last tay -.. 2.0. -<jeasnlbelea at Mee Buh eee Bids. ube Sica | 7
Anal: Distance: irom snout .......4..caelws seee eal id een Sea be 7 (Nee Ce ra) Suiahs <r os 704 eneth of, base, 2 o5.iey cnr e cee eee 1D) Gee PEA Ree 17 lees Pee 19 Origin of anal to origin of dorsal |....-..-| oe Ws tect SS a Peet see a ere 37 Length of longest ray.......-....|.-..-... ii. beak mpi A. \cian cats Co PMLA 9 Leneth of last ray... . <2... 2. <cednaee tee See eee [oi ae rc 4 ele 6
Caudal :
Length of middle rays .......... |-.---e. Bb Rees ‘ao eee Gui sue. ee 93 Length of external rays, superior |........ BO Thi veue Uae 2 i Ore ee ee INTEVIOM Cl se cent ¢ Sh ASS WOE a> ER bs ee QD) | clans 6 0 | ee
Pectoral:
Distanee from snout ......565,-cn] beet sen ae ee 0 ee Ed Oy SP he 32 Distance of tip from snout. .... 1 res ee 43 wits Gia VR hoe. | 50 LOD PED 32 a,c = = <,2='5 5 vinie pas’ teh Ue Ae pk ie. | EeBente SAL 15°C co Gcaee Lt ils tee 19
Ventral :
Distance from snout ....... drake cobnee ip iy ee 2: 58 ls uoteen 53: i] a a | 52 Wengght 4s: . sathdes tones bins bo ee ALS ob tee | Bi pier AP a OS | 10 Origin of ventral to end of dorsal.|........ > | Se an © 3B) ah, ob te A as
DOLSAL TAYE ot o.h se ees eee nace te i a TENS reena een Das! Wen aS LD Yoel
EE TARR ss cin a-ha nd anes deine ee > A eet SB Ab FAAS 2 0 Real EON ae 21 8 tad aa
Number of scales in lateral line ..-.| 65 or |........ abt. 70 oe | 6b, 85. |. wae. bt. SE |i es seana
more. |
DESCRIPTION PISH FROUWU THE GULE
COAST
Or
By G. BROWN GOODE and TARLETON H. BEAN.
CAULOLATILUS MICROPS, A NEW SPECIES OF FLORIDA.
The Smithsonian Institution has received from Mr. Silas Stearns, of the Pensacola Ice Company, Pensacola, Fla., a fish new to the fauna of
the United States, and believed to be new to science.
This fish was
taken March 18, 1878, on the Snapper Bank, off Pensacola, in 35
fathoms of water.
29
teed}
March
sketched by Mr. Shindler.
20,971 of the Fish Catalogue.
Caulolatilus microps is related to the Brazilian form Caulolatilus chrysops (Cuvier and Valenciennes) Gill, and the Cuban form Caulolatilus cyanops Poey, described in 1867.*
It was packed in ice, and arrived in good condition, at the National Museum, where it was cast in plaster, and It is now a fine alcoholic specimen, No.
Of the former, two specimens only
* Repertorio Fisico-Natural de Ja Isla de Cuba, i, p. 312.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 43
are recorded: one, the type of the original description, one foot long, collected on the coast of Brazil by M. Gay, and probably now in the Museum in Paris; a second in the British Museum, a stuffed specimen, purporting to have been collected in the West Indies. Of Poey’s C. cyanops the National Museum possesses a fine specimen (Cat. No. 4750), 15 inches long, coilected and presented by Professor Poey.
The Pensacola specimen, now under consideration, is two feet and three inches long, weighing nine pounds and one-quarter. Its color has faded, but a yellow blotch is still visible under the eye, similar to that mentioned in C. chrysops. A dark blotch is visible in and above the axilla of the pectoral.
The following diagnosis is believed to characterize the peculiarities of the new form. It is accompanied by a table showing the detailed measurements of C. cyanops and C. microps, and another showing the relations of C. chrysops as far as they can be gleaned from the published descriptions.
Caulolatilus microps, sp. nov., Goode and Bean.
Diagnosis.—Height of body contained slightly more than three ard one-half times in its length, its width seven times, the species being higher and more robust than CU. chrysops and C. cyanops. Length of head equal to height of body, being in same proportion to total length as in C. cyanops (though less in proportion to height of body), and longer pro- pertionally than in C. chrysops. Width of interorbital area equal to half the length of snout, instead of four-fifths, as in C. cyanops. Length of snout greater than that of maxillary. Diameter of eye contained six times in length of head, instead of four times, as in C. chrysops, and three and three-fourths times, as in C. cyanops. Nostrils midway from eye te snout, and separated by a distance equal to diameter of eye. Dentition much as in C. cyanops. Fins all shorter than in C. cyanops, the anal and soft dorsal two-thirds as high. Caudal fin slightly emarginate. Pectoral not extending to first ray of anal, as in the other species, less than one-fourth of total length. Scales in lateral line 120, in transverse line 48, being smaller and more numerous than in C. cyanops.
Radial Formula.—D. VII, 25; A.1,23; 0.17; P.1,16; V.I, 5, instead of D. VII, 24; A. 1,22; ©C.19; P.1,15; V. 1,5, as in C. cyanops, or D. VIUI, 24; A, Il, 22; C.17; P.17; V. 1, 5, as in C. chrysops.
44 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. Table of Measurements. Current number of specimen. .......--.-+-- esate we ; Ono CT ODA: Conloiotilus qunpees, 971. 750. US A ER REN PS PE ie ee ee Ae Pensacola, Fla. .Cuba. Millim. 100ths. | Millim. 100ths. Fresh specimen. Alcoholic specimen. Egtrome length... .22 02. 5523). Aas SS Sa a eal gd 330) |. . Joi side. Length to end of middle caudal rays .......-.-.-------+--- UU eee BGS ho dare icin « Body : Greatest Hecht ....csop omen secenc recdens «cau orsuaees) esos eee re eee ey 24} Greatest width. ...... Be SWh bw enlew ae 6 «ot aa ates eh Soe eee 1A | odeustede 12 Height at ventrals . ...- .cccccccssccncccnccccncecss-0s|anenet saasme a ee 244 Teast nent of tail ... -. 2. 2 5... one sendee on vas ncese esl eeee eee Oo eke c seer 7 Leugth of caudal peduncle. ........---.-+> j-ccemasdeyhe-ase > eee OD | ete ale ; 11 Head : Greatest length ...0.225 22. penwinaseses anaes ccenae dnepsilinine hae ate Be Pe oe 28 Distance from snont to nape: ..-....- oe een nce e noose: | pease amene en] sa anes = ae ee 15 Greatest width.< 45.506. -Leppio- -ecmtwian aces s- = DePEly eae eeeeene TH, | sBegiages 133 Width of interorbital area -.. ~~. 5-032. oo es aa po ome ( Pl BA sb Lea gth of GAG. i240 5 - b- c\adas das 06). - 1p eee MM 25. tee 10 Length of maxillary .. 2... sce<sc<--- +0 oss e aban 0 dee ED) | sass notes 104 Length of mandible..... ia dick 3. tamebiee eee RR Cry 13 |... Ao 123 Distance from snout to centre of orbit. .-.. 222. scsses|anene eee wae $48) 3 ee cee 11 Diameter of orbit... 20005 2n- 0 225 shan eee aie ee ee eee Ct er 14 Dorsal (spinous) : Distance from snout. ...- 2c «+ 2<--naigec cng sas swese tee eee ; a ero 32} Lemeth of hase.) ..5 3454:)-~-s-~>ei esate hete sipebiteics ea ae es eee UO eee eee 13 Greatest height... 3... 20s pocn sweden gues ae nal tee ‘ ae ieee enema 8 Length of first spin . 2/5211)... 353 4.96. Basi. Be ie thy tas 5 eee ee 5 Length of second spine’... . 05. 4... 2 2 dt eb ge eee eee OF Vein tenes 6 Length of last spine +... 02 522. 2.5 268 OF eet ala aae eee oe re fiabin HUES 94 Dorsal (soft) : Length of base. ......-... podzan vcd ae Suga soak eee ott tik eeh wees Se eee eee 46 Length of first ray,. -....-«-<,-'> aaa = Yee AV 2g > eee eee y gos PR 104 Length of longest ray..............-.----- Poa etat Figiastoag seen ot Eres ba lee Length of last ray. .n«4a2-s-chi5) Sense oh coe eee ee es alee ee 5 Anal: Distance from anonut ¢ a s0:5.2, 4. o25sh Gus cmnsete terest SD” Medan cokes: 513 Boma thet WAGe icra oer ak ee aee saree tobe es oleae eee OL, IM NESE a Pee 374 Length of antecedent spine ......cc.0.---ceccennmcncnclecone ore a. viet cael 3 Lenerh of first tay... 2-2 copcces ane p panied gp eens’ gd Saba hala Des Py tee 5 it Length of longest ray .-........... nypmed ic cumpda’e deg sf aamebia 66 Es of (tH) i Sh Pine seade. (11th) 12 Lenpth of 1agt ray w/oa a coulapnus chen whee el aks dccakloeeewee ae BAH io ee aa een g 5 Caudal: eength of middle rays ) 2. 22. .n.a. . ons Jota ten Cae ee Reed Tid |. cosnveeas M1 Length of extemal] maye,; 23 15:5) 7d dante her ae oben beds4-ae et 1G; issu, taste 174 Pectoral: Distance from snout. . 2. i: 5. .43,.41g6/Sapd 2 athe beens EEE abot cole DO J-} swans ey 275 DORE «. ono cer ays ascot onde bath gapelinace ie Cape ee meee ee a | eaters 26 Ventral: Distance from snout 5.5... cs =--- apne aed kee te vee ee Coe A eee 31 Lomgtit ss $i. 524. is. ine ab - LES oho piekhine aie See en danse Fb aie ee ae 16 Branchiostegals... 5... aio .s eee Lae Wo te. acaba V 1. tc, = tenuanoe OTSA Loic cien onl 5 bees eda - 2d sake he eee WIIs25 ih Se didat WEIM2O i satelite. AMAL oo ins ce ccs onp seedh teed Cade op aeiaee eee TAO8 |, cc ened be BCT ear eee Caudal. .... 22225. .Uii «Lobb. Oa AT | bass 40 fiw ds dea ta-3 PeChOval oa nicy- vps: cmse sop oon oubwcg dase eee Eee pT Pee EndS bgsnadessses NWaentral | 21. =.» ide hetsabsinodnso> peng ate Te 5 eu cay a} pe oe ee b Number of scales in lateral line ........... ..c.ceeeeeeee- -Obb., 120 Aicaa gen d des 198 17-0 tye awe Number of transverse rows above lateral line....... ---- ee 16d dks soem Number of transverse rows below lateral line ........... Oo | - 3 -Cile ods 2 five dep es ae q
a
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 45
Table showing Comparative Proportions of Atlantic Species of CAULOLATILUS.
C. chrysops.* | OC. cyanops. | C. mécrops. : Height of body in total length.............. 43 | 42 34 Width of body in total length.-.-........-.... 10 e3 7 Ug yg i eee - 43 34 34 Interorbital width in total length ..........)............------ 12 142 oo Lg be es Re ee eee 10 re Meteninwiintotal lenethas - oo. gs di ie. |. esses. 10 8 Suout to orbit in total length ....... .--.....).-0s2..20065-<-00- 9 7 Rep Gist £6 20 73 6eC Lt S... Lite 4 3t 6 2. RPS Aa RR oe ae ie a 2 ae Nesr eye. ....... 3 distance from Midway from snoug snout to eye. to eye.
He‘ght of dorsal in total length (of body) -.!. 124 134
than in cyanops, and
_ | RRS RST SRO's sas eR Ts | i iiss 921 SS 10 OS SEY Seca Tarther from snomt | two-thirds as high.
3 Ree pe en See Se ee eee Saeed pee Se yee Less emarginate than | in the other species. ig: Sa i Se al Ind ant 2/5 sei re ne _ Extends to first | Extends to first | Does not reach first anal ray. anal ray. | anal ray. SEY ST a rr 110+ 108 - 120 ‘Transverse rows of scales’. ....5..2-..-...-- [-- anon cewenasncens 35 (L0 +25) 48 (13 + 35) |
* These proportionate measurements, as taken from the ‘‘ Histoire Naturelle des Poissons”’, doubtless have reference to extreme length to end of external caudal rays. In this genus, however, the ditference thus admitted is not extremely large.
APRIL 30, 1878.
THE OCCUBRENCE OF HIPPOCAMPUS ANTIQUORUM, OR AN ALLIED FORM, ON SAINT GEORGE’S BANKS.
By G. BROWN GOODE.
A specimen of Hippocampus, measuring about five inches, was pro- cured by the United States Fish Commission from a mackerel schooner, which had captured it, in company with a school of mackerel, on Saint George’s Banks, in August, 1873. It was kept alive for some days, and an interesting fact was observed with regard to its habits, its tail appa- rently not being used for prehension. This specimen agrees very closely with H. antiquorum as described by Giinther, and is provisionally referred to that species; it does not agree with the description and figure of H. hudsonius, DeKay, a species which has never been accurately defined, and which may prove identical with H. guttulatus, Cuv.
H, antiquorum is, then, an addition to the fauna of Eastern North America. The geographical range of the species is very wide; it has been recorded from the English coast, the Mediterranean at Malta and other points, Fernando Po, Japan, and Australia. Several specimens were collected in Bermuda in 1872 and 1877 in company with H. guttulatus.
A specimen received by Storer from Holmes’s Hole was, in his first report, referred to H. brevirostris, Cuv., which is synonymous, according to Giinther, with H. antiquorum. Storer afterward adopted the name proposed by DeKay, but his description and figure refer to a form more nearly resembling that now under consideration.
The following notes were taken from the fresh specimen, the colors while it was living :—
No. 21044, U. S. Nat. Mus. Cat. Fish.
46 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Body rings, 1 4+- 10. Caudal rings, 37. Tubercles of body and tail elongated, slightly recurved, usually prolonged into slender filaments ; those on the 2d, 4th, and 6th body rings much larger than the others; tubercles prominent and filamentose upon the 4th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 16th, and 20th caudal rings. Ventral tubercles upon 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th body rings. Occipital crest very high, with five prominent tubercles, the anterior two with long filaments. Length of snout equal to dis- tance from posterior margin of orbit to gill-opening. Operculum marked with fine, radiating stria.
Radial formula.—D. 19 (the first imperfect). P.18. V. 4.
Color.—Yellowish-brown; the eyes and cheeks covered with radiating, wavy lines of light brown. Snout encircled by a narrow, undulating, white band near its middle.
The Commission has an accurate sketch by Mr. Emerton.
APRIL 30,'1878.
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES OF SHELLS FROM CALIFORNIA IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.
By W. H. DALL. Haliotis (? var.) assimilis, n. s.
Shell solid, strong, not very thick, with a rather light pink, white and greenish nacre, usually with five open holes; spire more elevated than that of any other Californian species, consisting of two and a half or three whorls; aperture very oblique in adult specimens, the thickened margin of the columella narrow, somewhat concave, inclined sharply inward and upward, about three-fourths as long as the columellar side, of the aperture. Between the row of openings and the columellar edge, the space is unusually broad, marked midway by an obtuse carina, sep- arated from the row of holes by a shallow channel; surface reddish or dull greenish, with rather rough, crowded, unequal, spiral ribs and rounded, irregular, wavy, radiating undulations crossing the spiral sculpture obliquely. The muscular impression, in most specimens, is but lightly marked, and, except for occasional spot-like impressions, is smoothly nacreous, like the rest of the interior. Lon. 4.5 in, Lat. 3.0 in. Alt. of spire 1.5 to 2.0in. Aperture 3 inches wide and 3.75 long, in an adult pmb
Habitat. an Diego, Cal.; in deep water only; thrown up by heavy otiniiel cas dead and worn when rs and everywhere rare. Mus. Cat. 31267.
This species, or variety, has long been known to me and to most Californian collections, but has not hitherto been characterized, owing to the dead condition of most of the specimens found. Mr. Hemphill having forwarded two fresh specimens, it seems well to put it on record.
The form is different from any other Californian species; the spiral
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. AZ
sculpture is that of H. rufescens ; the radiating sculpture, except that it is not sharp or imbricated, recalls H. corrugatus, and the nacre is similar but less bright. These characters suggest the possibility of its being a hybrid between H. corrugatus and rufescens; but if this be the case, why should it not have a similar habitat? Those two species are litto- ral, but this is exclusively deep-water. I have received it from Dr. Canfield, Mrs. Capt. Lambert, and others, in past years, and have exam- ined some twenty specimens of all ages.
Acmza (scabra var.?) Morchii, n.s.
Shell conical, much elevated, with a sub-central recurved apex resem- bling that of Helcion pectinatus covered with close-set, rough, imbricated ribs and riblets, the coarse, imbricated, sharp lines of growth forming with the other sculpture a close reticulation in some specimens. Interior with a brown-mottled spectrum and margin, otherwise white; exterior dull grayish or greenish speckled. The imbrications on the principal ribs very strong, in some specimens forming small spines concave beneath. Lat. 16™™. Lon. 207”. Alt. 10™™.
Tomales Bay, California, Hemphill, 16 specimens. Mus. Cat. 31268.
This very peculiar form has the sculpture of A. scabra, but much exaggerated, and very nearly the profile of Helcion pectinatus. The recurved apex recalls that of A. persona. It would not be referred to any described Californian species if its characters, as they appear, were the only test. Butitis almost certain that all the species of Limpets and Siphonarie, which have this peculiar elevated shape, acquire it from a particular habitat which they seem to prefer. This may be the stem of a large Fucus, a shell, round pebble, or what not, as in the case of those species of Acmea usually (but wrongly) termed Nacella by Californian conchologists: Acmea asmi ; Liriola subspiralis ; ete. They all have a flattened or normal variety, though this is often very rare.
Hence I consider the elevated form and pointed apex as probably due to a peculiar habitat, as in the other cases; a view which is borne out by a peculiar arcuation of the margin in most of the specimens, as if the creature had lived on a round shell or pebble.
Eliminating the elevation as a permanent character, the shell, appa- rently very limited in its distribution, might well be a hybrid between A. scabra and A. persona. Whether this be the case or not, it is a very remarkable form, and well deserves a name, even if only of varietal value. We owe its discovery to Mr. Hemphill’s industry and eminent abilities as a collector.
APRIL 30, 1878.
48 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
CATALOGUE OF THE BIRDS OF DOMINICA FROM COLLECTIONS MADE VOR THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BY FREDERICK A. OBER, TOGETHER WITH HIS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.
By GEORGE N. LAWRENCE. _
In the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1, p. 46, I called attention to the explorations in the Lesser Antilles that were being made by Mr. I. A. Ober, giving-an account of his progress up to that time in the island of Dominica, and stating that when his final collection from there was received, a catalogue of the birds obtained and noticed by him would be published.
When his last collection came to hand, it was found that the publica- tion of the promised catalogue would be delayed; it was therefore deemed best to give a provisional list of the species in Forest and Stream; this appeared in the issue of December 6, 1877.
On his second visit to Dominica, Mr. Ober had an attack of fever, which debarred him from concluding his explorations satisfactorily. Several species that were seen by him, but not procured, he was able to identify. A few other birds were heard of, but the descriptions given of them were insufficient for their identification ; these being undoubted inhabitants of the island are included in the catalogue, with such infor- mation as he could obtain concerning them. Some of these species Mr. Ober hopes to have procured for him by residents, who promised to make efforts to do so.
Mr. Ober is entitled to much credit for his industry and perseverance thus far, and his notes testify that his heart is in the enterprise. |
Besides birds, he has sent valuable collections in other branches of science. |
I have received from him, by way of introduction to this catalogue, the following interesting account of the physical features of Dominica, with incidents of his movements, localities where birds were procured, etc.
All of his communications and notes are designated by quotation- marks.
The arrangement of this catalogue is the same as that of the Nomen- clator Avium Neotropicalium, by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin.
“The island of Dominica is 25 miles in length by 16 in breadth. It is mountainous in character, consisting of a central ridge running north and south, from which chain project hills and spurs east and west; thus the entire island is but a succession of hills and valleys, the latter ever narrowing into ravines and gorges, from which pour foaming streams and torrents.
“The coast-line is for the greater part bold and precipitous, some of the hills slope gently to the sea, and some of the valleys open upon spacious bays, which, though not deep, afford good anchorage on the Caribbean side for small craft. From the voleanic nature of this island,.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 49
being thrust up from the great ocean bed, the water all around it is of
great depth, and vessels anchoring off Roseau, the principal town, often run out sixty fathoms of chain before bringing up.
‘“Thus when I speak of the small depth of the bays, I mean the small indentations they make in the general line of the shore. The valleys and low hills of the Caribbean shore are tolerably well culti- vated, principally in sugar-cane; the provision ground of the negroes reaching often to high hill-tops.
‘¢On the east or Atlantic side, called the ‘windward’ side of the island (from the fact that the prevailing wind here is the northeast trade), are a few fine, though isolated, sugar estates, situated where deep bays give opportunity for boats to land. The nature of the east side of the island is more rocky, and the seas more boisterous than the west or Caribbean slope. The almost unceasing trade-wind keeps the Atlantic in a tumult, in striking contrast to the calms of the Caribbean waters.
‘As this island is about midway the group known as the Lesser An- tilles, being in lat. 15° 20’ — 15° 45’; long. 61° 13’ — 61° 30’, it possesses much in its fauna that will prove of interest ; and doubtless some spe- cies will be found to inhabit it that exist neither north nor south of it; some that are found north but not south, and vice versa. Possessing as it does the highest mountain peak in any island south of Jamaica, and a range of mountains and hills of 2,000 to 3,000 feet in height, the essential character of the fauna is mountainous. In fact, along the coast and in the low valleys, very few birds are obtained more than the ordinary sparrows, hummingbirds, etc. Though not rich in either numbers or species, Dominica contains its best birds in high mountain valleys. Hach kind has its characteristic haunt and breeding place, as will be described hereafter, and the majority of them are in the mount- ains and mountain valleys.
“ My first collecting ground was at Landat (see Forest and Stream), a mountain vale 1,500 feet above the Caribbean Sea, at the head of the Roseau Valley, which latter made up into the mountains from the sea for nearly five miles. The average temperature of this region was ten degrees lower than at Roseau, 1,500 feet below; at night a blanket (sometimes two) was necessary. I collected here for a month—the month of March—during which period I visited the famous Boiling Lake, a chain of lakes on the mountains, the near mountain peaks, and thor- oughly explored every accessible ravine and valley within a day’s walk.
“After shipping my collections to the Smithsonian, I started for the central ‘windward’ portion of the island, where reside the last vestiges of the Carib Indians. With them I resided six weeks, in a cabin close by the Atlantic shore. It was while there that I procured the Imperial Parrot, and other birds of less note, by making forced marches into the high mountains.
“T should note here that everything I needed had to be transported
Proc. Nat. Mus. 73-——4 July 31, 1878.
50 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
over the rugged mountain trails, from the town of Roseau, a journey of a day and night, upon the heads of men and women.
‘“In May I returned to Roseau. In June I passed a week in Landat, finding little difference in the birds, except in the scarcity of the Hum- mingbirds and a few others. I also spent more than a week, in June, at Batalie, a lime plantation midway the west coast, where I found a few birds which I had seen in the mountains more abundant, and one species—the Tropic Bird—breeding in the cliffs.
‘During May and June I was exhausted by a low type of fever, the result of exposure, which greatly retarded my efforts to secure greater numbers of birds. From subsequent observation, however, and enquiry, Iam certain that nearly all the resident species have been obtained. The very few not procured will be noticed further on.
‘*On the 15th September I returned to Dominica, after a visit to some of the northern islands. Making my way at once to the mountains, I had opportunity to note the changes that the seasons would make in the time which had elapsed since my first visit. The Hummingbirds were in great abundance, the ‘Mountain Whistler’ nearly silent, and perdu; the Flycatchers same as usual ; Wrens about the same, but more in the deep woods; sparrows, finches, etc., in customary abundance; the ‘game birds ’"—‘ Perdix’, ‘Ramier’, and ‘ Tourterelles’—in abundance.
‘During this visit I succeeded in procuring the only species of Owl known in Dominica. The first was a female, September 18, sitting upon its nest, which contained three eggs freshly laid. The following day brought in the male; this was the only find of value.
‘‘ Strange to say, my old enemy, fever, visited me again, the first night I spent in the mountains; though I had been exempt from it for two months, and my last visit there had aidedinitscure. This discouraging welcome to Dominica (I do not, though, attribute it solely to the climate) prevented me from going out on a projected trip to the mountains beyond for the Parrot; I sent my men but they failed to get the bird.
‘The migratory species had arrived in small numbers—Golden Plover, Sandpiper, etc.—and the water of Roseau Bay was black in places with large flocks of the ‘twa-o00’, a species of tern. These birds only come before a gale and are harbingers of a storm. September being a hurri- cane month, very few sailing craft of any kind were about; being, especially in the French islands, hauled up, to remain so through October.
‘‘ Much to my regret, I was unable to procure the Parrot, but little larger than our Carolina Parrot, and the ‘ Diablotin’. The latter was, twenty years ago, in great abundance, breeding in the mountains ; but of late years it has become so scarce as to appear almost mythical. Its disappearance is attributed to the depredations of the ‘Manacon’, a worthless marsupial animal, introduced into Dominica years ago. Al- though the Diablotin is, probably, identical with the Petrel found in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica (the Prion Oaribbaa, as suggested by
.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. Dl
Prof. Baird); yet it would be very interesting to know exactly what it is. If itis possibly remaining, I have hopes of securing it, as my friend H. A. Alford Nicholls, M. D., of Roseau, has offered a large reward for it; if obtained, to be sent to the Smithsonian.
‘‘ Having been in the island during the breeding season, I procured many nests and eggs, which are, probably, little known. Nests and eggs of three species of Hummingbirds, the ‘Perdix’, Owl, and many smaller birds, were received.
‘‘There are few sea-birds resident here, or even visitors for the pur- pose of incubation, owing to the precipitous character of the coast, and the absence of small islands or detached rocky islets.
‘‘From Dominica I sailed south to St. Vincent, where I remain at this present writing (October).
‘‘Trusting you will make allowance for the many imperfections in this (necessarily) hasty sketch; and hoping to give you full and perfect descriptions when I have leisure to elaborate my notes,
‘‘T remain, faithfully yours, “TWREDERICK A. OBER.
“Tt would be wrong in me to conclude without acknowledging the obligations I am under to a few gentlemen of Dominica.
‘““To the President of the island, C. M. Eldridge, Esq.,. for kindly let- ters of introduction to other islands ; for much proffered aid and a great deal of information.
‘‘To Dr. Imray, the oldest medical man in tke island, one who has done much to develope the natural resources of Dominica; a botanist of repute, especially an authority on Tropical plants, to him I am in- debted for many favors. Free access to a large and well-selected library was one of the many delights his generous nature afforded me.
‘“To the Hon. William Stedman, for many and delicate acts of kind- ness.
“To Dr. H. A. Alford Nicholls, for numerous favors. I never can repay the debt I owe these two gentlemen, for the many and continued attentions during my stay. At the time when I was sick with fever, it was to the attentions of the one and the skilful medical attendance of the other, that my rapid recovery was due. The period of convales- cence, passed principally in their society, will continue a very pleasant remembrance.
‘¢ The information possessed by Dr. Nicholls upon wood and mountain life was freely placed at my disposal, and it was owing chiefly to his suggestions, that my collecting grounds were so judiciously chosen as to comprise within their areas the characteristic birds of the island. Upon botany and ethnology the doctor is well informed, and his collec- tions and herbarium promise to become very valuable.
“These remarks will perhaps account for my protracted stay in the island, and for a lingering regret at leaving it.”
52 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Fam. TURDID.
1. Margarops herminieri (Lafr.).—Local name, ‘“ Morer”.
‘This curious bird inhabits the high woods; especially does it delight in the comparatively open places beneath the towering gomier trees, where perhaps a narrow trail has left the ground bare of leaves. There you will find where it has been scratching with its strong feet. Itis very shy, and being very good as food it is sought by the mountaineers, who call it to them by imitating its cry of distress.
‘Tris tea-color. Not abundant.
‘Length, ¢, 9in.; alar extent, 15; wing, 5; tail, 34.”
Of this fine species there are five males in the collection, but no females, and Mr. Ober makes no allusion to their plumage. It has not before been recorded from Dominica.
2. Margarops densirostris (Vieill.).—Local name, ‘‘ Gros Grive ”.
‘These birds are much esteemed for their flesh, and are hunted with- out mercy, when the law allows. They are thus made very shy; at St. Marie, however, in the Indian section of Dominica, where they are not shot, they are very tame, and frequent the mango and bread- fruit trees about the habitations of the people. They lay in April and May.
‘‘Tris very pale straw color; bill horn color.
‘Length, ¢,11in.; alar extent, 174; wing, 54; tail, 52.”
The sexes do not differ apparently in size or plumage; not before noted from Dominica. |
3. Margarops montanus (Vieill.).—Local name, “ Grive ”.
‘‘A bundant, but much reduced in numbers by being shot for food. In habits and actions much resembles the American Mockingbird, without his song, however.
‘Tris yellow.
‘Length, ¢, 94; alar extent, 143; wing, 432; tail, 4.”
Numerous specimens of both sexes sent; no apparent difference between them; also not sent before from this island,
The nest of this species is composed of fine roots loosely woven toge- ther; the inside with the smallest roots, but no soft lining; it is very shallow, and appears small for the size of the bird, having a diameter of but four and a half inches; there are two eggs of a uniform beauti- ful aqua-marine blue, measuring 1.20 x .75.
Collected at Shawford Valley, May 10.
4. Cinclocerthia ruficauda, Gould.—Local name, “ Trembleur”.
‘‘Its name is given from its habit of quivering its wings. Abundant in the mountains and lower valleys. (See letter in Forest and Stream.)
“Length, ¢,9in.; alar extent, 124; wing, 4; tail, 34.” |
The sexes are alike in colors and dimensions. This species has not been obtained before in Dominica.
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 53
5. “Thrush” ?
“Another bird was described by several persons, something like the Thrush, but with yellow bill and legs. Its egg is like the Cuckoo’s in shape and color.”
Of course, it can only be determined by examples.
Fam. SYLVIID.
6. Myiadestes genibarbis, Sw.—Native name, ‘“‘Siffleur Montagne; Solitaire”.
‘The Mountain Whistler frequents the most gloomy and solitary mountain gorges, seeking the most retired situations—not so much from shyness as from some inherent proclivity.
‘Found on the borders of open glades in the morning when seeking its favorite food, the berries of a tall shrub. Never found below 1,000 feet altitude. Its mellow notes are first heard from a dark ravine above Shawford Valley as one ascends the mountains. (See Forest and Stream.)
“Length, ¢, 74 in.; alar extent, 11; wing, 33; tail, 34.”
The female differs from the male only in having a wash of brownish- olive across the middle of the back. There is a single specimen of the young; in this each feather of the upper plumage terminates with black, and has an adjoining subterminal round spot of bright rufous; the feathers of the under plumage are more rufous, with the terminal edge less distinctly marked with black; the throat and under tail-cov- erts are light rufous; the tail as in the adult. This specimen is spotted much in the same manner as the figure of the young of UW. ralloides, in Exotic Ornithology, by Messrs. Sclater and Salvin, pl. xxxii.
The UM. armillatus of Bonaparte (Cons. Av.i, p. 335) agrees best with M. genibarbis, Sw., as he describes the parotic region to be black, striped with white, a character peculiar to that species. He has Swainson’s name aS a synonym, considering the two to be identical; he gives for the habitat Central America and the Antilles.
Prof. Baird (Rev. Am. Birds, p. 421) proves that I. armillatus, Gosse, from Jamaica, is not M. armillatus, Vieill., and names it M. solitarius. The true habitat of Vieillot’s species is thus left unsettled, and I believe no authentic examples of it are known to exist in any collection. -Vieil- lot, in his original description (Ois. Am. Sept. i, p. 69, pl. 42), gives the Antilles as its habitat; afterwards (Enc. Méth. ii, p. 824) specifies Mar- tinique as a locality.
Mr. Sclater (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 270) considers the last reference as prob- ably applying to M. genibarbis. Mr. Sclater also says :—‘‘ It is possible that MW. armillatus verus may be the species from St. Domingo, where there is an unknown representative of this form.”
M. genibarbis is noted from St. Lucia by Mr. Sclater in his list of the birds of that island (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 263). The specimens from there he compared with two examples of M. genibarbis in the Swainson collec- tion at Cambridge, and found them to agree.
54 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Swainson erroneously supposed this bird to be a native of Africa; his figure of it (Nat. Lib. vol. xiii), to be correct, should have the chin and an elongated quadrate mark on the lower eyelid pure white.
There are in the collection twelve adult specimens, which are appa- rently in full plumage, having the pure white chin and rictal stripe sep- arated by a black line, and the white patch on the lower eyelid; in the young example, the white marks are wanting.
Fam. TROGLODYTIDZ4..
7. Thryothorus rufescens, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. v. 1, p. 47.
‘Wren, 6, Landat, March 3, 1877.
‘¢ Found only in the deep, dark woods, or on their borders. I shot several, but lost them in the rank vegetation. They have a most de- licious song, like, I think, our Northern Wood Wren. Will have more extended notes at some future day. I just missed getting its egg. In June I found a nest, and had my boys watching it for eggs, but some one robbed it before me. When I left, I told the people of the valley to procure the eggs and save them for me.
‘It (the nest) was merely a few straws in a small hole in a bank, about six inches deep, with a diameter of four inches.
‘‘ Length, 44 in.; alar extent, 63; wing, 24; tail, 13.
“Tris bright hazel. Abundant in the deep woods, but hard to find from its terrestria] habits. Native name, ‘Osenoli’.”
In the first two collections, there being but the type-specimen, I re- quested Mr. Ober to get more; in the last collection are four others, but all are males. These were procured in September, and are of a darker or brownish-rufous, no doubt owing to the different season.
Fam. SYLVICOLID/i.
8. Siurus nevius (Bodd.).
‘“ Wagtail—very scarce.
‘“‘Shot while feeding about the pools of the upper waters of the Roseau River, a rocky stream of cascades and water-falls.
‘‘ Length, 53 in.; alar extent, 94; wing, 34, °.” 9. Dendreeca virens (Gm.).
‘‘Only one seen; very ragged in plumage.
“ Length, 5 in.; alar extent, 72; wing, 23, 3.” 10. Dendrceeca petechia (Linn.).
** Yellow Warbler, ‘Titien’, Shawford Valley, March 21.
“Abundant on the plantations of the east coast, overgrown with guava-bushes.
“Length, 5 in.; alar extent, 74; wing, 23, 2.”
“A nest with eggs was taken at St. Marie in April.”
The nest is well shaped and compactly formed; is composed of fine dried grasses, the outside of coarser materials, strips of bark, and long,
sae ees
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 55
thin, flag-like leaves, intermixed with a little cotton. It seems large for the bird; it measures in outside diameter 5 inches; heigat, 24; depth of cavity, 13 inches. There are three eggs of a dull white, sparingly speckled with reddish-brown, except on the larger end, where the spots are confluent; two measure in length .75 of an inch and .50 in breadth; the other is .55 in breadth.
11. Dendracea plumbea, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. v. 1, p. 47. There are no notes which apply to this species.
12. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.). ‘¢ Redstart, ‘Chat’. Not common. *“ Length, 5 in.; alar extent, 74; wing, 24, ¢.”
Fam. VIREONIDZ.
13. Vireosylvia calidris var. dominicana, Lawr.
‘T think this bird is a summer visitor only, as I did not see it before March 19, and then only one. It increased in numbers in April and May; was abundant in the Indian Settlement. I send nest and eggs. Its note makes it conspicuous.
** Length, ¢, 64 in.; alar extent, 104; wing, 34; tail, 23.”
“Local name, ‘ Chewick’. Iris hazel.”
Male——Upper plumage olive-green, purer and brighter than in V. calidris ; cap of a clear ash, rather darker than that of var. barbatula ; a distinct blackish line along the edge of the crown; superciliary stripe ashy-white; cheeks with a tinge of buff; lores and a stripe behind the eye dusky; a blackish moustachial line along each side of the throat; the under plumage is grayish-white, purer on the upper part of the throat and abdomen; sides pale olive-green; under wing-coverts yellow; crissum pure pale yellow; the bill is large and darker than in its allies ; the upper mandible is blackish horn-color, the under whitish horn-color.
The female differs in no respects from the male.
The only necessary direct comparison with any of the West Indian or moustached form is with var. barbadense, Ridg.; that and the pres- ent bird only having a distinct dark line along the edge of the crown. The type of barbadense was kindly sent me by Mr. Ridgway: it is smaller than the Dominica species; the plumage above is of a lighter brownish-olive, the cap not so dark, the under parts of a pale yellowish or creamy-white, and the bill of a fleshy-brown color; in general color- ing they are quite unlike.
The nest (marked “St. Marie, April 22,’77”) is not the beautiful struc- ture described by Dr. Brewer (N. Am. Birds, v. 1, p. 362) belonging to V. calidris of Jamaica, and does not appear to have been pensile; it is com- posed of fine grasses, intermixed on the outside with a coarser kind of a long, thin, ribbon-like form. There are but two eggs—perhaps not the full complement; they are of a dull white, rather closely spotted with
56 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
pale chocolate, confluent at the larger end; they measure in length .80 of an inch by .60 in breadth.
The nest measures in outside diameter 34 inches; depth of cavity 14 inches.
Fam. HIRUNDINID.
14. Progne dominicensis (Gm.).
‘“¢ Hirondelle” Resident.
‘“ The first seen was shot at Mountain Lake, 2,300 feet above sea-level, March 23; later in the season I found a few on the Atlantic side, in June, breeding in the cliffs at Batalie, on the Caribbean shore.
‘‘ Length, 72 in.; alar extent, 15; wing, 53, 3.”
Fam. CAS REBIDZE.
15. Certhiola dominicana, Taylor.—Local name, “ Sucrier”. St. Marie.
‘‘T procured a series of these, that you might be able to determine better the local differences.
‘‘ Kverywhere abundant in lowland and mountain valleys; breeds in old plantations from March through to the rainy season. I send nests and eggs.
‘‘ Length, 42 in.; alar extent, 73; wing, 24.
‘‘] put in a few nests of these birds to illustrate the domed struc- ture—a character that prevails among the smaller birds—grass-birds, Sparrow and Sucrier.”
There are two nests, globular in form, one containing three eggs, ob- tained at St. Marie, April 20,1877 ; the other with four eggs, in Shawford Valley, in April. For the size of the bird, the nest seems a bulky struc- ture, but is elaborately made; the inside is of fine grasses ; the outside of fine wiry stems of some plant, and the thin flag-like leaves spoken of in describing the nest of Dendreca petechia ; it has an outside diameter of 5 inches, the depth of the cavity 3 inches, across the opening 1? inches. The entrance is on the side. The eggs are dull white, some closely spotted with pale reddish-brown; others less so; some with the spots confluent at the larger end; others having them distinct. They measure .68 of an inch in length by .53 in breadth.
Fam. TANAGRID Zé.
16. Euphonia flavifrons (Sparm.).
‘“<T/oiseau de St. Pierre.’ Rare.
‘‘ Feeds among the tops of trees in the high woods; said to occur, also, on the coast; stomach full of small green seeds.
‘‘ Length, 47 in.; alar extent, 8; wing, 28; tail, 13, ?.”
There is in the collection but one specimen, a female, which I suppose to be this species. I wrote Mr. Ober to endeavor to get others, but he was unable to do so. I have a male specimen from Porto Rico of H.
RE ek ee: >
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 57
sclateri, presented by Dr. Gundlach—this is much smaller than the above, measuring in length 44 in.; wing, 2; tail, 1,5.
17. 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. Not abundant.
‘Length, 84 in.; alar extent, 124; wing, 4; tail, 33,
*¢ Length, 83 in.; alar extent, 123; wing, 4; tail, 33,
*¢ Nest obtained at St. Marie, Indian country, May 1, 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 53 inches, height 3 inches, depth of cavity 12 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.
af: 3. 1877; lays from
Fam. FRINGILLID 2.
18. Loxigilla noctis (Linn.).—Local name, Moisson ; Pére Noir; Sparrow.
“The male is black, the female gray, I bave no doubt, as they are always seen together. Very 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, 54 in.; alar extent, 9; wing, 3; tail, 23, ¢.
“Length, 54 in.; alar extent, 83; wing, 22; tail, 24, °.”
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, 2inches. The complement of eggsis 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 .07. 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
58 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
skin in having “no rufous at all on the crissum, and the superciliary — mark shorter ”.
Five males in the collection from Dominica have the under tail-corerts rufous, of the same shade as that of the throat; the rufous line running ~ from the bill is darker, and extends over the eye as far as upon a line with its centre. Probably the Dominica and Martinique birds are alike; but if other examples from St. Lucia prove to be without rufous cris- sums, it would seem to be a well marked variety.
The female from Dominica is, above, a brownish-olive, having the face, sides of the head, and upper tail-coverts tinged with rufous; the wing-coverts and tertials are edged with bright rufous; the under plumage is of a dark ashy-olive; the under tail-coverts are pale rufous.
Specimens of a Lozigilla collected in Guiana by Mr. A. H. Alexander (taxidermist), though similar in color and markings to examples of J. noctis from Dominica, are so much less in all their measurements that I think, at least, it may be considered a variety. The bill of the Guiana bird is much smaller, the under mandible of a brownish horn-color, be- ing black in the West Indian bird ; the under tail-coverts are of a paler rufous; the rufous of the throat more restricted, and the superciliary line extending beyond the eye.
The measurements of the two are as follows :—
Dominica bird, ¢, length, 54 in.; wing, 3; tail, 23; tarsus, ?.
Guiana bird, ¢, length, 44 in.; wing, 2§: tail, 2; tarsus, &.
Viewed together, the skin of the West Indian bird appears to be nearly twice the bulk of the other.
I propose to distinguish the South American form by the name of Loxigilla noctis var. propinqua.
Mr. Alexander obtained quite a number of this small species in Guiana, but he had disposed of most of them before they came under my notice. Three males examined were alike in size and coloring. I was unable to find a female among the birds collected by him: this is easily accounted for; his object in making collections being to secure the more showy and saleable males.
Mr. Alexander informed me that they were not uncommon along the Essequibo River, and that he saw them also at Berbice.
The only citation of Guiana as a locality for LZ. noctis that I have noticed is by Bonaparte (Cons. Av. i, p. 493), viz, “Surinam”; he also gives Martinique.
19. Phonipara bicolor (Linn.).
“Si Si Yerbe; Grass-bird. }
“Abundant everywhere; breeds in great numbers in Shawford Valley, three miles from the coast ; nests in lime-trees,
“One with three eggs taken April, 1877; another with four eggs.”
“Length, ¢, 42 in.; alar extent, 63; wing, 24.
“Length, 2, 44 in.; alar extent, 64; wing, 24.”
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 59
The nest is globular in shape, and is composed of fine roots and stems of plants, intermixed with thin, flag-like leaves; it is 64 inches high and 53 inches broad; the opening is 2 inches across; depth of the cavity, 1} inches. The eggs are quite uniform in appearance; they are white, with a scarcely perceptible greenish tinge, sparingly speckled with reddish-brown, except on the larger end, where the examples vary in having the spots more or less confluent. They vary in size from .66 to .o7 of an inch in length, and in breadth from .54 to .50.
~
Fam. TYRANNIDE.
20. Elainea martinica (Linn.).—Local name, “Quick”.
‘ Rather abundant in the mountain valleys, especially in the lateral ravines bordering the glades of open pastures. In habits and cry resembling our Pheebe-bird.
‘“Tength, z, 62 in.; alar extent, 103; wing, 33.
‘Length, 2, 6in.; alar extent, 10; wing, 32.”
Of this species, Mr. Ober sent nine examples. Mr. Sclater (P. Z.S. 1871, p. 271) considers £. riisit from St. Thomas ‘ undistinguishable” from EH. martinica. I have but one specimen of JL. riisit, which differs only from the Dominica bird in being light brownish-olive above; the upper plumage of EL. martinica is dark olive; the difference may be seasonal. Mr. Sclater also raises the question whether L. pagana ‘‘is really separable”; in five specimens, so-called, from Brazil, Guiana, and New Granada, the most marked difference from the West Indian bird is that the breast and abdomen are of a decided pale yellow. In Z£. martinica, the throat and breast are of a clear bluish-gray, the abdomen with just a tinge of yellow.
Mr. Sclater (P. Z. 8S. 1870, p. 834) thinks that his £. subpagana will have to be reunited to EL. pagana. I have one example of this form, from the City of Mexico, which is of a bright yellowish-olive above, and the abdomen of a fine clear light yellow. These differences may be due to geographical position.
21. Myiarchus oberi, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Acad. of Sci. v. 1, p. 48.—Local name, ‘ So- leil coucher ”’.
*‘ It is so called because it utters its peculiar cry just at sunset; the hunters say when Soleil Coucher cries, it is time to make ajoussa, or camp. Obtained at Landat in March; not common.
‘‘ Length, ¢, 9 in.; alar extent, 123; wing, 4.
“ Length, 2, 84 in.; alar extent, 124; wing, 4.”
22. Blacicus brunneicapillus, Lawr., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.v. 1, p. 161.—Local name, ‘‘ Goubemouche”. “‘ Everywhere abundant in the ravines and dark vallers of the mount- ains, “ Length, ¢, 53 in.; alar extent, 84; wing, 22; tail, 23.”
et ned
60 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
23. Tyrannus rostratus, Scl.
‘‘ Pipere; Loggerhead.”
‘More an inhabitant of the lowlands than the mountains; found it abundant in St. Marie, Atlantic coast.
‘‘ Found a nest with two eggs, April 20, 1877.
‘Length, ¢, 94 in.; alar extent, 15; wing, 43.
“ Length, ?,92in.; alar extent, 154; wing, 43.”
The nest is rather loosely made, of small harsh-feeling roots and stems of plants, with no soft lining for the eggs; it is 44 inches wide, with a height of 2 inches, the cavity but half an inch deep. The two eggs are alike in size, but vary in shade of color: one is of a light reddish salmon color, with large conspicuous spots of a deep rusty-red, mostly around the larger end; the other is white, with a slight tinge of color, the spots smaller and less conspicuous. They measure 1.06 by .77.
Fam. TROCHILIDE.
24. Eulampis jugularis (Linn.).
‘¢ Large Crimson-throat Hummingbird.”
‘¢ This species called ‘ Colibri’ in patois French.
‘‘This species is almost exclusively a frequenter of the high valleys of the mountains, though found lower down also. It delights in the plantain and provision grounds of the mountain sides, and there may be seen in early morning, glancing among the leaves, hovering over the flower clusters. In the open glades, also, it was abundant about the wild honeysuckle and flowering shrubs. It was easily approached, and many were caught for me by the little mountain boys, with native bird- lime, the juice (inspissated) of the bread-fruit tree.
‘‘T did not find it anywhere common on the east, or Atlantic side of the island. Took a nest and two eggs in June. It breeds later in the season than the smallest species (the Crested). Nest built in bread- fruit tree. Have nests of the three species.
‘‘Length, ¢,5in.; alar extent, 74; wing, 32.
‘Length, ?,5in.; alar extent, 74; wing, 3.”
This would seem to be a very abundant species, as Mr. Ober procured | about fifty specimens. Most of these bear evidence of having been cap- tured with bird-lime. The female differs only in the color of the throat being somewhat duller.
Mr. Ober speaks of having obtained “‘ nests of the three species” ; but none have been received.
25. Eulampis holosericeus (Linn.),.
‘Green or Blue-throated Hummingbird.”
‘‘ This is not so abundant as the others. It prefers shade and seclu- sion. I noticed the curious habit first in this species, that it possesses in common with the larger, of flitting about in the dark forest, where a
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 61
gleam of light would penetrate. It would dart and double with rapid- ity, occasionally fluttering on suspended wing, like a Hawk, then dart off to a neartwig, whence, after resting a while, it would renew its forage upon the diminutive insects sporting in the ray of dusky light. ‘“ Procured a nest and two eggs, in June, from a ‘cactus’ tree.” “Length, ¢, 43 in.; alar extent, 6; wing, 23.”
26. Thalurania wagleri (Less.).
‘‘ White-throat Hummer.” September, 1877.
“This bird I found tolerably abundant, principally in the shady mountain paths of the ‘high woods’. I saw but one before (earlier in the year) in March, while on my way to the Boiling Lake. It may be the young of No. 368 or 369, but of this you can judge, as I send speci- mens of each kind. Inhabits the mountains.
‘‘ Length, 2°, 44in.; alar extent, 6; wing, 22.”
Mr. Ober’s note given above refers to the female of this species, of which two examples were sent in his last collection ; also one male, No. 369; on the label of this specimen he wrote, ‘ Purple-throat Hummer, ¢?. Length, 43 in.; alar extent, 6; wing, 24.” (No. 368 is Eulampis holose- riceus.) This is the first allusion he has made to its being a distinct species, which is difficult to account for, as the male is also very differ- ent in appearance from the three other species found abundantly in the island. In his first collection, seven males of T. wagleri were sent, but there is no note or any comment to lead to the supposition that he con- sidered it a fourth species—the three regular forms heing the only ones spoken of.
The female of this species appears to have been more rarely obtained than the male.
It has the crown and upper tail-coverts bluish-green, the upper plumage and wing-coverts dark green tinged with golden; the middle tail-feathers are golden bronze, ending with greenish-blue; the other tail-feathers are greenish-blue, with their bases golden bronze, and ending with grayish-white; the lores, a line under the eye, and the ear-coverts are black ; the under plumage is ashy-white; the bill is entirely black.
The procuration of the female establishes this species as being resi- dent in Dominica.
27. Orthorhynchus exilis (Gm.).
‘¢ Small Crested Hummer.”
“This species is called by the natives, ‘ Fou, Fou,’ or ‘ crazy, crazy,’ from its eccentric motions in the air.
“It is not uncommon along the coast and in the lower valleys. Al- most the only species on the Atlantic side in April and May. Very abundant everywhere. Took first nest, March 20, in Shawford Valley ; found others as late as June 20, at Batalie, on sea-coast.
“In order of numerical abundance this species can be first, the Crim- son-throat second, the Blue or Violet-breast third.
“‘ Length, 34 in.; alar extent, 43; wing, 2, 3.”
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Fam. CYPSELIDA.
28. Chetura poliura (Temm.).
‘“ Swift.
‘¢This bird only appears after a rain, then in great numbers, darting swiftly about, disappearing as soon as it has ceased. In March saw but three at the Mountain Lake, 2,300 feet. In June they had descended to the valleys, and were even sporting about the seashore.
‘¢ They live and breed among the cliffs, high up the mountains and near the waterfalls of the Roseau Valley. Abundant also at Batalie, lower down the coast.
“ Length, 3, 42 in.; alar extent, 103; wing, 3%.”
I have never seen an example of C. poliura, but as the bird under investigation agrees in plumage quite well with the description of that species given by Mr. Sclater (P. Z. 8. 1865, p. 611), I have called it so provisionally; it differs, however, in dimensions, the wing especially being shorter.
29. “Swift.”
‘‘A species of Swift,intermediate in size between the small Swift and the large Martin.”
This species has not yet been obtained.
Fam. ALCEDINIDZ.
30. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.).
‘¢ Kingfisher.”
‘¢Seen in April on the windward side of Dominica, and again in Sep- tember on the leeward, or Caribbean side. In September it appears more plentiful. Undoubtedly a resident.”
No specimen sent, but is this species without much doubt.
Fam. CUCULID.
31. Coccyzus minor (Gm.). ‘‘Cuckoo; Manioc.” ‘‘Not very plentiful; unsuspicious, stupid; its cry similar to that of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but more prolonged, sharper, and harsher. ‘Nesting in May; inhabits the low shrubs and trees of old clearings. ‘Length, 3,13 in.; alar extent, 164; wing, 54. ‘Length, 2, 134 in.; alar extent, 17; wing, 54.”
Fam. PSITTACID2E.
32. Chrysotis augusta (Vig.).
¥4Oicero? |, :* ot
‘¢ Except in the rainy season, this bird can only be found in the high mountains, where grow the mountain palm, gomier, bois diadle,and other
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 63
trees of mountain growth, upon the seeds of which it feeds. It is there abundant, yet shy and difficult to approach. Its cry is harsh, resem- bling the call of a Wild Turkey. Morning and evening they call one to another for perhaps an hour; during the rest of the day they remain silent, except for an occasional cry. When a gun is fired, they all cry out, and then keep perfect silence. They do not seem to associate in flocks at this season, like the Parrot, but are found more often in pairs. They breed in the hollow tops of high trees, and the young are rarely taken. When caught young, they readily learn totalk. The only manner in which one is secured alive is by being wounded.
‘‘Tt descends to the valleys in the rainy season to some extent, but prefers the mountains. At that time they are very fat, excellent eating, and much hunted.
‘*T made an excursion into their mountain fastnesses, camping on their feeding grounds, but only secured three (though assisted by the Carib hunters), the country was so wild and the birds so shy.
‘Length, ¢, 21 in.; alar extent, 35; wing, 11.
‘‘Length, 2, 22 in.; alar extent, 36; wing, 12.”
As specimens of the Imperial Parrot are exceedingly rare in collec- tions, and a description of it not readily available, I thought that one taken from the examples before me might prove useful.
The male has on the front adjoining the bill a narrow line of a dark warm brown color; the feathers of the crown and occiput are of a rather dull bluish-green, with lighter terminations; the feathers of the hind neck, and extending around in front, are bronzy-green, with a broad subterminal band of dark bluish-purple, and ending with black; the feathers of the back, wing-coverts, flanks, and upper tail-coverts are of a bright, rather dark green, conspicuously edged with lighter or verditer- green; these terminal edgings are crossed with waving dark marks like water-lines; the tail-feathers are reddish-brown, having their bases green for a short space, the two middle feathers show more green; the edge of the wing is scarlet (not the flexure); the primaries have their outer webs bright dark green for two-thirds their length, the terminal third of a brownish-purple; the first quill is entirely, and the inner webs of the others are of a dark purple; all but the first primary have their outer webs incised ; the secondaries have their outer webs green; on the outer two a speculum of scarlet; the inner webs are dark purple; on the chin and sides of the throat adjoining, the feathers are dark brown, with coppery terminations; the ear-coverts are brown, ending with light bluish; the feathers of the lower part of the throat, the breast, aud abdomen are bronzy dark olive, broadly marked subterminally with an opalescent band of violet-purple and light blue, changeable in differ- ent lights, their terminal margins are black ; the upper mandible is dark ‘ horn-color, with a whitish mark on its side at the base; the under man- dible is lighter; the feet blackish-brown.
The female specimen has the colors a little duet, and the speculum less bright, but it may be possibly younger.
64 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
33. “ Parrot.”
‘*‘ Not abundant. .
“This bird, about the size of our Northern Carolina Parrot, but more robust, is very shy, keeping mainly to the higher mountains; sometimes descending to the inner valleys, to feed upon the wild guavas.
‘‘ It is sometimes captured by being wing-broken, and takes kindly to confinement, but unlike its larger brother, the Cicero, does not learn to talk. It congregates in small flocks. It is oftener shot in the months between September and February. A very beneficent law of Dominica prohibits the shooting of Parrots, Ciceros, Ramiers, &c., in any other months, thus ensuring protection during the breeding season. “d
This species was not obtained by Mr. Ober.
Fam. STRIGIDZE.
34. Strix flammea var. nigrescens, Lawr.
“Owl. ‘Shawah.’
‘¢‘ Very rare; its cry even is seldom heard. It haunts principally the mountains and higher valleys ; builds its nest in a hollow tree, or in the hollow of a large limb, and lays eggs elliptical in shape, white and gran- ular. In this case they were three in number, and from the appearance of the ovules, were the full complement. They were newly laid, Sep- tember 19.”
I find this to be a very dark variety of Strix flammea. At my request, Mr. Ridgway sent me a specimen of the dark-plumaged form (var. guate- male, frem Costa Rica), spoken of in N.A. Birds, v. 2, p. 14. On compa- rison, the difference is very marked: the example from Costa Rica is above brown, intermixed with rufous, and closely freckled with fine whitish vermiculations; it is also marked, not closely, with whitish ovate spots surrounded with black; the color below is dark reddish- ochraceous, with black sagittate spots. The sex not given. It measures, length, 144 in.; wing, 13; tail, 6; tarsus, 23.
The male from Dominica has the upper plumage of a fine blackish- brown, rather sparsely marked with small white spots; the tail is crossed with alternate bands of brown and light dull ochraceous freck- led with brown; the wings are the color of the back, somewhat inter- mixed with rufous; the under plumage is light reddish-ochraceous, marked with small round black spots (the color is lighter than the under plumage of the Costa Rica specimen); the ends of the ruff-feathers are dark reddish-brown; feathers around the eye, black; the face is of a. light reddish fawn color. ‘ Bill white; iris deep chocolate, half an inch in diameter.” :
Length (fresh), 13 in.; wing, 10; tail, 43; tarsus, 2. r
The female is of the same dark color above, with the white spotsso minute as to be scarcely perceptible; the tail is darker; the under plumage of a darker reddish-ochraceous than in the male (not so dark
, -
¥ J 2 : a d : =
PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 65
as that of the Costa Rica specimen), a few roundish black spots on the breast; on the abdomen the markings are in clusters, and irregular in form.
Length (skin), 13 in.; wing, 93; tail, 42; tarsus, 23.
Besides its much darker upper plumage, the Dominican form is of much smaller dimensions.
The color of the eggs is dead white; they measure in length 1.60 by 1.22 in breadth.
Fam. FALCONIDE.
35. Pandion haliztus (Linn.). ‘ Fish-hawk.” ‘¢‘ Seen circling over the sea in September.”
36. Buteo pennsylvanicus (Wils.).
¢¢ Mal fini’ St. Marie, Indian country.
‘This bird courses above the valley, uttering its ery of ‘ Mal fini, fini’. lt is not abundant; eats lizards as well as small birds. The largest of the Hawks here resident. Iris amber.
‘Length, ¢, 15 in.; alar extent, 32; wing, 104.
“Length, 2, 15 in.; alar extent, 32; wing, 10.”
37. Tinnunculus sparverius var. antillarum (Gm.).
*¢¢ Glee glee’ Nowhere abundant.
“ Length, z, 103 in.; alar extent, 20; wing, 62.”
The two specimens sent were submitted to Mr. Ridgway for deter- mination ; he wrote me as follows :—“* The Dominica Tinnunculusis iden- tical with that from St. Thomas, St: Bartholomew, and Porto Rico. It is what I have called ‘ sparverius var. dominicensis’, but I find upon further investigation that it should bear the name of antillarum, Gm.— dominicensis being, as I now conclude, the bird which I have cailed leu- cophrys.” Mr. Ridgway also wrote :—‘‘ You may mention that I have a male 7’. sparveroides, in the plumbeous plumage, from South Florida.”
Fam. FREGATID.
38. Fregata aquila (Linn.). ** Man o’ War Hawk; Frigate Pelican.”
“ Often seen flying at great height; said to breed on an inaccessible cliff on the southeastern side of the island.”
Fam. PHA; THONID®.
39. Phzthon flavirostris, Brandt. “Tropic Bird. Abundant. ** Breeds in the cliffs near the Lime Plantation of Batalie, the prop- erty of Dr. {mray. They also breed in the cliffs of Mount David, near Proc. Nat. Mus. 73——5 July 30, 1878.
66 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Roseau. They appear from out their holes early in the morning, go out to sea to fish and return at 9 or 10; coming out again in the afternoon. A road winds at the base of the cliff, and thus they can be closely observed. They are said to reside here the year through, and commence incubating in April.
‘Length, ¢, 23 in.; alar extent, 36; wing, 114.
‘‘ Length, 2, 27 in.; alar extent, 36; wing, 114.’’
Fam. PELECANIDA.
40. Pelecanus fuscus (Linn.).
‘“ Brown Pelican.”
‘‘One