The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-01-30

vineta, sardina, anchoa (sardine and anchovy); jurela. tortuga (sea turtle) murenas (eels), sharks-in abundance 1 sword and saw fishes, and, finally whales and manatees, which, if they are not scientifically classed as fish, are to be found in the water and may be hunted from boats.
 Notwithstanding the fact that the is- land abounds in thicllets and forests hooks, cleared lands and beautiful val leys, yet the birds are relatively scarcer than the insects and reptiles.
 This is to be deplored, of course, but it may be possible to correct this de- ficiency by beneficial legislation; and one of the first needs of the island is strong repressive laws against the in- discriminate shooting of the game and smaller birds. In the popular mind it is the pot hunter and the feather fiend who eXterminate the small birds and deprive us of their songs and animated presence. But what we have most to fear Is the so-ca1led scientist and or nithologist who will now invade what has hitherto been a forbidden territory, and promptly clean out the few birds remaining there. He will do it in the interest of science" but, just the same, the birds will be exterminated, in order that a few museums and private collections may be enriched. It is to be hoped that so long as the island is un- der military rule this invasion will be prevented, and that each and every or nithological pot hunter will be arrested and treated to a dose of his own medi- cine
 Now, as has been intimated, Porto Rico has been but Title explored or- nithologically, and not so much is known of it's feathered inhabitants as of it's unfeathered bipeds. There are few native game birds, those most in re- quest being ''gallinas" and "guineas," or domestic barnyard and guinea fowl run wild. A turkey now and then es- capes to the forest, and then becomes a 'pavo del monte." Over in Yucatan the "paVo del monte" is distinct species of turkey, peculiar to that peninsula, the ''meleagris ocellatus," but in Cuba and Porto Rico it is merely the domes- tic species run wild at 'maron," as the Spaniards say.
 There are great species of pigeons and WOOu uONCS, lICluulIS lIle great plSeOH known in the French islands as the 'ramier" and the white-headed pigeon that at times is very abundant. The former is found in the high woods," where it prefers the treetops and feeds on large seeds and spicy nuts; the lat ter is more of a migrant than the ramier, and inhabitants the coast re- zion, particularly the sea grape thick cts. Both are excellent eating and in the season may be shot in great num- bers. our species of pigeon are so far given as found here by naturalists, be- sides which are two species of noun tain doves, called sometimes cartridges from their robust habit and manner of feeding and dying. The ordinary turtle dove is here also, as well as the pretty little ground dove, their habitat being all over the island.
 By stretching a point, we might in- clude the parrot in the list of game birds, locally known as "cotorras" and "perriquitos," and found in every part of the island flying from tree to tree and screeching flor all they are worth" The turtle doves, says the Spanish au- thor, are smaller than the species of Spain, but much more beautiful, while the parrots are exceedingly abundant. Only one species of parrot is given by the naturalists as resident here, but doubtless there may be another Of the ''shore birds" such as visit the is- land in their annual migrations five species of blower are enumerated, eight of sandpipers, one snipe (the Wilson,, two stilts and one ayoset. The fresh water birds comprise two species of coot, two gallinules, two rails (so far known), one jucana, several heron, in- cluding the great blue and the snowy here called "garzas"-a few ducks oc- casionally in the rivers, and mention is made of one species of water birds, the "juijuis," which so correctly initiates the human voice as some times to de- ceive who hear it.
 The "maritimas,' or coast birds, in- clude the great pelicans, that fish lag ly along the shores; the flamingoes, which probably come here from the Bahamas, where they breed, and the gulls and terms.
 Flying through the gorges and above the rivers we find the noisy kingfisher, the ceryle alcyon, and there ought to be another species, smaller, but of more brilliant plumage. Five species of hawk are given, including the peregrine fal- con, red-shouldered, sparrow and pig con hawk; while the great fish hawk, or approximation balietos-may often be seen Tapping in the air, scanning the sea for fish. There are, or should be, two species of vulture-the black and the turkey buzzard-Which perform such valuable work as scavengers, and are everywhere protected by law. Of owls two species are mentioned, includ- ing the somewhat rare burrowing OWL which dens in the earth. The whippoor- will, one species, is seen here, as well as the night hawk a swift and two swallows, three or four cuckoos, one crow, one redwing and one crow black bird, three vircos, two sparrows, one two buntings, redstart and a dozen species of warblers, two species 1f thrush and the ever-welcome, tune- ful mockingbird, variety of our own 'mocker'' and named after the aged | of Cuba, Dr. Gundlach.
 There are four species of fiycatchcrs, | among them the 'pipiree," which is as 1ugnacious as his near relative of the l