LW SAT aleleninite We Heh ae Be i ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY New YorK STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HomE ECONOMICS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY DATE DUE | GAYLORD PRINTEDINU.S A. Cornell University Library ' QL 681.B16 view of America ‘il | HNN mann SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. 181 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS, IN THE MUSEUM OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. PART I. th ee afi ee S. FO BAIRD. WASHINGTON: SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 1864—1872. QL 68/ 8/6 ADVERTISEMENT. 252626 THE Review of American Birds, of which the present work, by Prof. Baird, constitutes the first part, is intended to serve as a descriptive catalogue, with critical commentaries, of the species of American Birds in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution; giving, at the same time, a list of the specimens, their localities, and donors. As indicated by the date at the beginning of each signature, it was published, sheet by sheet, between June, 1864, and June, 1866, and has been extensively in use by ornithologists, although not regularly distributed to Libraries and Societies. It is now reissued for that purpose, and, for the first time, with the list of species described, and with an alphabetical index. JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary 8S. I. Wasurneron, D. C., Novemser 21, 1872. PHILADELPHIA: COLLINS, PRINTER. INTRODUCTION. ® THe primary object in undertaking the present work was to furnish a list of American Birds in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, with their localities and donors; and, as many of them are of considerable rarity, and others new to science, the opportu- nity has been embraced to give synoptical tables and descriptions of some of the genera and species. The signatures were distributed, as printed, to the leading ornithologists of the day, beginning June, 1864, and ending June, 1866; and the “Review” has been exten- sively quoted by writers. It was at first proposed to confine the “Review” to North and Middle America, but gradually the plan was extended until, in the later monographs, all procurable American species were included. The present part of the “Review” includes aJl the slender-billed Oscines, with the exception of the Cerebide, which would have been added but for the difficulty of presenting a satisfactory defi- nition of the genera, as compared with the allied forms. A second part of the “Review” will be published as soon as it can be prepared. SPENCER F. BAIRD, Assistant Secretary 8. I. Surrasonian InstITUTION, NovemBer 20, 1872. 1 The southern boundary of the United States, but also including the whole Peninsula of Lower California, is here taken as that of North America; while by Middle America is to be understood the region intervening between the United States and the southern end of the Isthmus of Darien, and em- bracing the whole West Indies, excepting Tobago and Trinidad. ( iti) TABLE OF CONTENTS. ADVERTISEMENT * . . IntvRODUCTION . * . ° TURDIDE . : . . a TURDINE . 7 . . . Catharus, Bon. . . Catharus, Bon. . Malacocichla, Scl. . Turdus, ZL. . s 7 Hylocichla, Baird . Planesticus, Bon. . Merula, Z. ‘ Hesperocichla, Bd. Platycichla, Bd. . . Semimerula, Sci. . é Mimocichla, Sel. . Ramphocinclus, Lafr. 7 Miminz . fj 7 3 . Margarops, Sel. 7 . Oreoscoptes, Bd. . . Harporhynchus, Cab. Mimus, Bote Galeoscoptes, Cab, . Melanoptila, Scl. . Melanotis, Bon. . Donacobius, Sw. . Cinchipz é : 7 ‘ Cinelus, Bechst. 7 . SaXICoLIDz . ‘ . . Saxicola, Bechst. . ° Sialia, Sw. 3 7 ‘ Syivipz Regulus, Cuv. . 7 a Polioptila, Sel. . * CHAMHADZ. : Chameza, Gambel_ . : Pace e ° ° . ° . e oil . ‘ ° . ° ° - iii PaRriDz fs ‘ ‘ . 77 PaRInz . ‘ ‘i - 17 Lophophanes, Kaup . ald Parus, Linn. - . 79 Psaltriparus, Bon. . . 84 Auriparus, Bd. 5 - 85 Sirtinz 2 ‘ . - 86 Sitta, Linn... , - 86 CERTHIADE . é . S - 89 Certhia, Linn. . . 89 TROGLODYTIDE . a 7 91 Rhodinocincla, Harti. 91 Heleodytes, Cab. 95 Campylorhynchus, Spix. . 96 Salpinctes, Cab. - 109 Catherpes, Bd. . 110 Cinnicerthia, Less. . .- 111 Cyphorinus, Cab. . 112 Microcerculus, Scl. . . 118 Heterorhina, Bd. . 115 Thryothorus, Vieill. . - 120 Thryothorus, Vieill. 123 Thryomanes, Scl. . 126 Thryophilus, Bd. . . 127 Pheugopedius, Cab. . - 134 Troglodytes, Vieill. . - 137 Troglodytes, Vieill. 188 Anorthura, Rennie . 144 Cistothorus, Cab. . 146 Cistothorus, Cab. . 146 Telmatodytes, Cab. 147 Moracitni# : : . 150 Motacilla, Linn. . 151 (+) V1 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Pace * Pace Anthus, Bechst. . . . 152 Prone . + + + 271 Anthus, Bechst. . - 153 Progne, Boe . - 272 Neocorys, Sel. . , . 155 Pheoprogne, Bd. . 283 Notiocorys, Bd. . 156 Petrochelidon, Cab. . . 286 Pediocorys, Bd. . 157 Hirundo, Linn. - » 293 SYLVICOLIDZ . a P . 160 Hirundo, Linn. . 294 SyLVIcoLINEZ . 7 . - 167 Tachycineta, Cab. . 296 Mniotiltee . : . - 166 Callichelidon, Bryant 303 Mniotilta, Vieill. . - 166 Atticora, Boie . . » 805 Parula, Bon. . “ . 168 Atticora, Boie « 805 Vermivoree . . . . 166 Notiochelidon, Bd. 306 Protonotaria, Bd. . . 173 Neochelidon, Scl. . 307 Helminthophaga, Cab. . 173 Pygochelidon, Bd. . 308 Helmitherus, Raf. . . 179 Stelgidopteryx, Bd. . . 312 Sylvicolee . : 7 - 166 Cotyle, Bote . : . 318 Perissoglossa, Bd. . - 180 | VinzonIDz . : c . - 822 Dendroica, Gray. . 182 Vireosylvia, Bon. . . 326 GEOTHLYPINE . x ‘ . 214 Vireosylvia, Bon. . 327 Seiuree A ‘ ‘i . 166 Lanivireo, Baird . 345 Seiurus, Sw. . . . 214 Vireo, Vieill. . 5 . 350 Oporornis, Bd. F » 218 Vireo, Vieill. . « 853 Geothlypee . . . . 166 Vireonella, Baird . 369 Geothlypis, Cab. . 210 Neochloe, Scl. . 3 . 371 IcTERIANE ‘ 5 @ « 228 Hylophilus, Temm. . » 372 Icteriee 4 3 3 . 166 Laletes, Sclater . - 682 Icteria, Viel . - - 228 Cyclorhis, Swains . - 384 Granatellus, Dubus . - 230 Vireolanius, Dubus . - 395 Teretristee . . - 166; AMPELIDZ . A . . - 400 Teretristis, Cab. . ‘ . 233 Dounz . 3 “ ‘ - 401 SETOPHAGINE . 5 , . 335 Dulus, Viel. . . - 401 Myiodioctes, Aud. . - 238) AMPELINE F i i - 403 Basileuterus, Cab. . . 241 Ampelis, Zinn. - 403 Basileuterus, Cab.. 241| Prmoconatine ‘ * - 408 Idiotes, Bd. . - 247 Ptilogonys, Sw. : - 410 Myiothlypis, Cab. . 251 Ptilogonys, Sw. . 412 Setophaga, Sw. . . . 253 Sphenotelus, Bd. . 412 Setophaga, Sw. . 256 Phenopepla, Scl. . - 415 Myioborus, Bd... 257 MyIapEstIn& : 2 . 417 Euthlypis, Cab. . 262 Myiadestes, Sw. . . 418 Cardellina, Dubus 2 . 263 Cichlopsis, Cab. é « 433 Cardellina, Dubus . 263 Platycichla, Baird . » 436 Ergaticus, Bd. . 264|Lanupe . . ; 7 . 437 HirunDINIpz + x 2 . 267 Collurio, Vig. . 5 . 437 List of Species described 3 5 ‘é 8 . . . » 451 Alphabetical Index . e 465 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS. 181 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS IN THE MUSEUM OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.’ Bi 8. F. BAIRD. PART I. NORTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA. OSCINES. Famity TURDID.? Tur American Turdide, Saxicolide, and Cinclide are all closely related to each other by the presence of common characters, which distinguish them from the other allied American families of Oscines ' The present work is intended as a catalogue of the birds of Northern and Middle America in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, with such critical notices of the same as appear to be called for, and a list of the speci- mens, or of such of them as best show the geographical distribution of the species. Species not in the Smithsonian collection, but which I have had the opportunity of personally examining and comparing, are also included. Species mentioned vy authors, but which I have not seen, will be mentioned at the end of the genera or families to which they are supposed to belong. As understood in the present work, the term “ North America” is intended to cover the region in and north of the valleys of the Rio Grande and Gila, or north of a line drawn from the mouth of the Rio Grande on the Gulf of Mexico, to that of the Yaqui, near Guaymas, on the east side of the Gulf of California, and embraces the peninsulas of Florida and of Lower California and Greenland. Middle America extends from the same line southward to the continental part of South America, including Mexico, Guatemala, San Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, the Isthmus of Panama and of Darien, and the whole of the West Indies, excepting Trinidad and perhaps Tobago. Any specimens which may serve to extend the list of the species enumerated as belonging to the Institution, or furnish additional material for investigation, will be thankfully received. 2 For a synopsis of the American Turdidz, See Sclater, Pr. Zool. Soc. 1859. 1‘ June, 1864, 2 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART IT, having uncovered nostrils and with ten primaries, the first of which is either spurious or much shorter than the second, agreeing in this respect with the Sylvicolide having nine primaries only. The most striking of these common characters is seen in the deeply cleft toes, of which the outer is united by the basal joint alone to the middle toe, while the inner is separated almost to the very base of its first joint.t. The frontal feathers extend, with rare exceptions, to the very nostrils. The bill is elongated and subuiate, moderately slender, and usually notched at tip; the culmen moderately curved from the base, and the mouth well provided with bristles, except in a few cases. Usually the scutelle covering the front and sides of the tarsus are fused into one continuous plate, or else scarcely appreciable, except on the inner edge only; in the Mocking Thrushes they are, however, distinctly marked. The lateral toes are nearly equal, the outer rather the longer. With these as some of the prin- cipal characteristics, they may be distinguished from each other as follows :— A. Nostrils oval. Loral and frontal feathers with bristly points, or inter- spersed with bristles ; rictus with longer or shorter bristles. Saxicolidz. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond the middle of the short square or emarginated tail, and one and a half times or more the length of the latter. The spurious primary very short, the second quill longer than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches only about two-thirds the length of longest primary. Turdidze. Wings moderate, more rounded, not reaching beyond middle of the often rounded tail, and not more than one and a third the latter, usually more nearly equal. Spurious primary sometimes half the length of second quill; the second quill shorter than the fourth. In the closed wing the outer secondary reaches three-fourths or more the length of longest primary. ' In a perfectly fresh specimen of Turdus mustelinus, the basal half of the first phalanx of the inner toe is connected with the 1st joint of the middle toe by a membrane which stretches across to within two-fifths of the end of the latter; there appears however to be no ligamentous adhesion. The basal joint of the outer toe is entirely adherent, and a membrane extends from nearly the basal half of the second joint to the distal end of the first joint of the middle toe. When this connecting membrane becomes dried the division of the toes appears considerably greater. When the toes are all extended in line with the tarsus, the hind claw stretches a little beyond the lateral and scarcely reaches the base of the middle claw. The plates at the upper surface of the basal joints of the toes are quadran- gular and opposite each other. TURDIDA, 3 B. Nostrils linear, in lower edge of nasal membrane. Loral and frontal feathers soft and downy, and no bristles or bristly points whatever about the mouth. Cinclidze. Body very short and broad. Wings short, rounded, and concave. The American Sylviadx are in some respects very closely related to the Saxicolidx, but may he distinguished by their much smaller size, more slender and depressed bill, more strongly bristled rictus, etc. ; on which account they are more strictly “ fly-catchers,” taking their prey in great part on the wing. Of the three families, the Turdide contain a great variety of forms, and exhibit widely different characters, rendering it exceedingly diff- cult to arrange them in any systematic or regular sequence, or to accurately define their boundaries. In my work on the Birds of North America, I placed the Mocking Thrushes among the Wrens, on ac- count of the distinct tarsal scutelle, and other characters. I am now, however, inclined to believe, with Dr. Sclater, that their place is with the recognized Turdidx ; and among other reasons, on the ground of their more deeply cleft toes, and greater extension forward of frontal feathers. On the other hand, I have included Donacobius among the Thrushes, on account of the deeply cleft toes; although, as in the Wrens, the open nostrils are considerably in advance of the frontal feathers. The following synopsis of such American forms of Turdide as I have had the opportunity of examining, may serve to determine the genera artificially, even though their natural affinities be somewhat violated. Nowhere is it more difficult than here to furnish in linear series, trenchant and positive characters which shall at the same time express and illustrate their true relationships. Cichlerminia and Cinclocerthia, which I have not seen, are placed by Dr. Sclater the one between Turdus and Margarops, the other between Rham- phocinclus and Harporhynchus. The primary division is into Turdine, or species with the tarsi “booted,” that is, having all the scutelle fused into a continuous plate covering the front of the tarsus and extending half way round on the two sides; and Mimine, or those with this same anterior half of the tarsus covered by a suc- cession of imbricated overlapping scales, usually seven in number. In one species of Mimocichla, placed in the first section, the division of the scutelle are appreciable, although they are all fused into one plate ; while in the Cat-bird the scutelle, in some specimens (as No. 20,396), are quite indistinguishable—the leg here being as much “booted” as in the true Thrushes; in others, however, they are per- 4 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. fectly distinct. Even in the first section individuals, in nearly all the species, may be noted with indications of separate scutelle. The Turdus gigas of Fraser has been placed among the typi¢al Thrushes, but really differs in many important points, as does still more the 7. aurantius of Jamaica, in shorter wings, much longer lst primary, very long tarsi, and other characters of Mimocichia. I have accordingly been obliged to consider as a good genus the section Semimerula of Sclater, although I would prefer to consider auraniius as the type rather than gigas and its allies :— A. Turdinze.—Tarsus covered anteriorly with a continuous plate. 1. Wings decidedly longer than the tail,' which is nearly even. Bill considerably shorter than the head. First quill one-half to one-third the second. Wings rounded. Tarsus longer than the head; out- ; stretched toes reaching beyond the tail . . Catharus. First quill usually not one-fourth the second. Wings pointed. Tarsus hardly the length of head, but yet longer than middle toe; outstretched toes falling short of tip of tail ‘ . - Turdus. Wings as in Turdus. Tarsus shorter than middle toe. Bill short and very broad; width greater than distance from nostril to tip : . Platycichla,.2 First quill more than one-third the second. Wings rounded. Tarsus considerably longer than head ; outstretched toes falling short of tip of tail. Billlengthened . a aca 5 . Semimerula. 2. Wings about equal to the tail, whioh is somewhat graduated. Bill stout, nearly as long as the head. Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than mid- dle toe and claw. First quill more than one-third the second. Rictal bristles very short . s B ‘ : - Mimocichla. 3. Wings ‘longer than the tail, which is considerably rounded, Hill longer than the head, and slightly decurved. i First quill more than half the longest . : - Rhamphocinclus. B. Miminze.—Tarsi scutellate anteriorly ; scutelle seven. 4, Wings decidedly longer than the tail, which is nearly even. Tarsus as long as the head. Tarsus hardly longer than middle toe and claw. Bill about equal to the head, decidedly notched ; ' In the present work the length of the tail is measured from the coccyx, inside of the skin, and not, as usually the case, from the base of the quills at their insertion. The wings are measured from the carpal joint, with dividers. 2 Possibly Cichlopsis, Cab., but differing much from his description. TURDID#. 5 wings rounded; 1st quill more than half the second; 5th longest. Claws very strong and much curved. Rictal bristles very short . . Margarops. Bill decidedly shorter than the head, scarcely notched; wings pointed; 1st quill less than half the second; 3d and 4th longest. Claws not peculiar. Bristles prominent. Tarsus con- siderably longer than middle toe and claw - Oreoscoptes. 5. Wings decidedly shorter than the tail, which is con- siderably graduated ; 1st quill half or more than half the second. Tail firm, the feathers moderately broad: the ex- terior with outer web near the end, less than one-third the inner. Bill lengthened ; sometimes much decurved; no notch at tip . . i . . . Harporiynchus. Bill notched, shorter than head : straight. Scutelle very distinct . : . * - Mimus. Scutellz more or less obsolete . . - Galeoscoptes. Tail rather soft: the feathers broad ; the exterior with outer web near the tip rather more than one- third the inner (except in Donacobius). Rictus without any bristles whatever . - - Melanoptila. Rictus with well developed bristles . 2 - Melanotis. Divisions of tarsus mostly obsolete. Rictus well bristled. Lateral tail feathers scarcely more than half the central; width of its outer web half the inner . é é A # 5 . Donacobius. Of the family Turdide, as here given, the genera are all peculiar to America, with the exeeption of Turdus ; and even here our species belong to sections scarcely if at all represented in the Old World, except by stragglers from the American Continent. The sexes are all similar in the American species, except in some divisions of Turdus, in its most general sense. | A very remarkable peculiarity of form is observable in some of the species of Oreocincia, an Old World genus of Turdidzx, consisting in the possession of more than twelve tail feathers, a character quite unique, I believe, among the land birds.t Sundevall, in a communication on the subject to Cabanis’ Journal fiir Ornithologie (1858, 159), gives O. varia and malayana as having fourteen tail feathers: the other species twelve. A specimen of O. varia, how- ever, in the Smithsonian collection, received from the Philadelphia Academy, and of uncertain locality, has fifteen tail feathers, and has probably lost a sixteenth. ! See also Cabanis’ Museum Heineanum, I, 1850, 6. 6 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART 1. CATHARUS, Bonar. Catharus, Bonar. Consp. I, 1850, 278. (Type Catharus immaculatus, BonaP.) Malacocichla, Goutp, Pr. Zool. Soc. 1854, 285. (Type M. dryas, Goutp.) The genus Catharus has been made by Dr. Sclater to include two groups: Catharus proper, in which the species have a close re- semblance in coloration to the small American Thrushes, as 7. fus- cescens, etc., but without any spotting on the breast, and without crest; and Malacocichla of Gould, in which the upper parts, or at least the head, are black, and with the feathers of the head above and nape, moderately elongated, so as to form a bushy, rounded crest. The species of Catharus proper, as just stated, closely resemble such small Thrushes as Turdus fuscescens, nanus, etc. in coloration and external appearance. The bill is very similar, both in shape and character of bristles, which are perhaps not quite so long in some, longer in others. The plumage is, however, softer and fuller ; the tarsi appreciably longer, the tail shorter, the feathers nar- rower. The principal difference is in the wings, which are short, rounded, and concave. The Ist quill in C. melpomene is nearly or quite half the 2d, which about equals the 8th quill. In C. occiden- talis the wings are more pointed, the 1st quill about one-third the 2d, which is between the 7th and 8th in size. Here the bristles are shorter; while in C. frantzii they are unusually long. C. occidentalis forms the transition to the smaller spotted Turdi. In C. (Malaco- cichla) maculatus the 1st primary is shorter. In all the skins I have seen the outstretched legs reach either very nearly to the tip of the tail or beyond it. In one specimen of C. melpomene, from Mr. Lawrence's collec- tion, the divisions of the tarsal scutelle are distinctly definable on the anterior face, while they are confluent on the sides. It is possible that at one stage of development the tarsi, which are covered with a “boot,” or a continuous plate, are distinctly. scutellate—the scutelle melting subsequently into a single plate. The occasional persistence of this immature feature in an adult bird may thus be explained without invalidating the importance of the character as Kaup has endeavored to do in the case of Turdus migratorius. As Dr. Sclater has furnished an excellent synopsis of the species of American Turdide (Pr. Zool. Soc. 1859), it will not be necessary here to do the same. OCATHARUS. 7 Catharus. Catharus melpomene. Turdus melpomene, Cas. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 5 (Xalapa). —Catharus melpomene, Scu. P. Z. S. 1859, 323.—In. Cat. Am. Birds, 1861, 1, No. 1.—Casanis, Jour. 1860, 322.—Satyin, Ibis, 1860, 29. Catharus aurantiirostris, SchatER, P. Z. 8. 1856, 294 (not of Hartiavs). Hab. Mexico (Cordova, Orizaba, Oaxaca) ; Guatemala; Costa Rica. , Specimens vary somewhat in the shade of coloration and the in- tensity of the rufescence of tail and wings. The bill is generally (in the dried skin) bright yellow, sometimes orange, a little dusky towards the tip above; sometimes this latter shade encroaches on the culmen; in one specimen (No. 22,362) the whole upper mandible is light brownish, and in No. 2 of Mr. Lawrence’s Collection it is nearly as black as in C. occidentalis. Some specimens have a shade of grayish in the feathers of the chin; but in none is there any in- dication of the yellowish-brown of the jugulum of occidentalis. The legs are always yellowish, though varying in the shade of this color. The rump and tail are always more rufous than the back, as in Turdus pallasti and its allies, though the contrast is not so striking. A specimen (30,484) from Costa Rica, in imperfect plumage, differs in the prevalence of a grayish olive shade in the back, and a less intense shade of rufous on the rump and tail. It is not im- probable that this may be the true C. aurantiirostris of Hartlaub, which is said to differ in the more olive back. Although Hartlaub describes the whole upper parts as uniformly olivaceous, including the wings and tail, his figure represents the latter as being more rufous. If the species of Hartlaub and Cabanis should hereafter prove to be the same, it is somewhat of a question to which of their names the priority should be assigned. The date of the aurantitrostris is March, 1850, exactly coeval with Bonaparte’s ‘“immaculatus.” The name ‘“melpomene” appears on page 5, of sig. 1, of Museum Heineanum, but without any signature date affixed—this practice not having been introduced until the appearance of the fourteenth signaturé, where the date of Jan. 1851 is printed at the bottom of page 107. There is nothing whatever to show that even if the first signature was published in 1850, it appeared as early as March. ' Turdus aurantiirostris, Hartuaus, Rev. Zool. March, 1850, 158 (Vene- guela); Is. Jard. Cont. Orn. 1851, 80, pl. Ixxii. Catharus aurantiirostris, Scuater, P. Z. S. 1859, 323. Catharus immaculatus, Bon. Consp. March, 1850, 278 (Caraccas). 8 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [part 1 Norz.—Additional specimens received from Costa Rica—none in very perfect plumage—agree in being all rather grayer, with less con- trast of back and tail coverts than Mexican and Guatemalan. They, however, vary considerably among themselves—some being quite decidedly olivaceous on the back. The most olivaceous specimens have the most brightly orange-colored bills. the bill above is light horn color. large first primary—more than half the longest. List oF SPECIMENS. In some of the others No. 33,259 has an unusually Smith- |Collec-| Sex Wher 6 sonian | tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. 7 22,362 | 33,122 Cordova, Mex. Verreaux. | — ..sose 16,841 a Mexico. J.Gould, ss] eee 29,201 68 Orizaba, Mex. Prof. Sumichrast. | Prof. Sumichrast. 32,451 322 ee “ ‘“ 32,453 68| .. Mt “ “ 7,951 .. |Juv.| Guatemala. aay J. Gould. 13,661 et ate a hte Dr. Sclater. 30,650 30 Pueiias, Guat. Sept. 1862.| O. Salvin. Salvin & Godman. 30,482 11 San Jose, Costa cay Dr. Frantzius. J. Carniol. on 1 Mexico. [Rica. Cab. of G. N. Law-| D’Oca, os 2 Guatemala. & [rence.| —s_ ss. 33,258 109 He Dr. Frantzius. | ...... 33,256 110 aera 33,259 aie af J.Carniol | 9 wee 33,255 ies aa an Pearce $3,257 | an | vs ee $5 attic 16,841. Upper mand. black ; rufous of wings very intense.—29,201, Bill orange red, in skin yellowish.—33,259. 1st primary very large. Catharus occidentalis. Catharus occidentalis, SchaTER, P. Z. S. 1859, 323, 370.—In. Cat. Am. Birds, 1861, 1 (No. 2). Hab. Mexico (Oaxaca and Totontepec (Sclater) ; Orizaba). This species may readily be distinguished from C. melpomene by several characters. The general color above is much the same; but while the rump, tail and wings are little, if at all more rufous than the back, the head above and nape are decidedly so. There is an indication of streaks on the jugulum and throat, the feathers being pale buff at base, broadly streaked centrally, and tipped with plum- beous; while in melpomene there is no indication of the buff, nor of streaks, the feathers being pure plumbeous, except where the whitish basal portion shows on the chin and throat. The legs are darker and more olivaceous. The bill is dark brown, almost black, except the yellowish basal portion of lower jaw. The wings are longer and more pointed, the longest primary exceeding the 10th by .65 of an inch, instead of .85 to .40. The spurious primary is smaller and narrower, its exposed portion reaching over scarcely more than one- CATHARUS. ° third of that of the 2d quill, instead of nearly or quite one-half. The bill is shorter and more slender (.36 or less from tip to nostril, instead of .42). The tarsi and toes are absolutely and relatively about the same length as in melpomene (tarsus 1.25, middle toe and claw .85 in No. 22,3615 a little less in 29,202). It will be seen from the specimens indicated as from Orizaba, that this species is not confined to the west coast, as supposed. List or SPECIMENS. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. G avnen a.| Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. " 22,361 |40,760 | .. Mexico. eine: Verreaux, 29,202! 202] . Orizaba, Mex. pel Prof. Sumichrast. | Prof. Sumichrast. 82,454; 202] .. “ Ba “ “ 32,455 202] .. e ain o i 32,456 202 | .. es aed fe ee 32,457 202] .. eo rete re ef 32,458 399 | .. bis oe ee se 22,361. Not exactly like type. Catharus frantzii. Catharus frantzii, Cas. Jour. Orn. for Sept. 1860 (pub. Jan. 1861), 323 (Costa Rica). Hab. Costa Rica. No. 30,482. First primary about half the 2d. Above rufescent olive, a little more rufous on the rump and tail, still more so on the head above and nape; the outer edge of primaries a little grayer than the back. Beneath plumbeous gray, darkest on the front and sides of the breast, under wing covers, and thighs. Edges of throat feathers perhaps a little lighter. Sides of head grayish. Flanks, middle of belly and anal regions white ; under tail coverts pale rusty, some of the feathers faintly edged with plumbeous. Upper mandible black; lower yellow, but rather brownish at tip; legs pale brown. Length, 7.60; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.20; bill, from nostril to tip, .41; tarsus, 1.36; middle toe and claw, 1.00; 5th or longest primary, .47, longer than the tenth. : Another specimen (No. 30,483), although quite different, appears to be a more immature stage of the same species. The upper parts are darker and tinged with a more brownish rufous; the breast and sides are also strongly marked with the same. The Catharus frantzii is intermediate between C. melpomene and occidentalis. The back is more olivaceous and darker than in the latter, the head of much the same color. Different from either, the outer webs of the primaries are grayer than the back, instead of © [PART I. 10 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. more rufous. ‘There are no streaks on the throat as in occidentalis, or else they are very faintly indicated; and the plumbeous of the under parts is much darker than in melpomene. The bill and feet are colored as in occidentalis, the feet still darker than in the latter species. The bill is proportionally as large as in melpomene ; the bristles apparently very long. List or SPECIMENS. Smith- Collec Sex sonian| tor’s ' and Locality. nek Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. | . 30,482| 89 | Ad. Costa Rica. Dr. Frantzius. Dr. Frantzius. 33,254 90 Gs ae a 80,483} 148 | Juv. ne ee Malacocichla. Catharus dryas. Malacocichla dryas, Gov, P. Z. 8. 1854, 285, pl. 79 (Guatemala).— Scrater & Satviy, Ibis, 1859, 7.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 324. Hab. Guatemala. Above slaty olive-green ; the top and sides of the head, including lower jaw, continuous and deep black; beneath light ochry yellow, becoming yellowish-white on the belly and anal region; crissum tinged with brown; sides of body and inside of wings somewhat like the back ; small indistinct spots of olivaceous on the chin and throat, which become larger and more rounded on jugulum and breast. Bill and legs yellow. Length, 6.00; wing, 3.60; 1st primary, .96; tail, 2.75; bill from nostril, .40, from gape, .92; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe and claw, .96. This species is easily distinguished from C. maculatus' of Ecua- dor, by the much more olive back (not dark ash) and ochry yellow breast. The wings are longer and the tail shorter in proportion (in maculatus measuring respectively 3.50 and 3.00). I am indebted to Mr. Salvin for the opportunity of examining his cabinet specimen of this species, lent me for the purpose. (No. 31, Salvin coll. Tileman, Rio Potochic, Guatemala, Jan. 1861.) It does 1 A specimen of Malacocichla, in Mr. Lawrence’s collection, from the Napo, with a general resemblance to a type Napo skin of J/. maculatus received from Mr. Verreaux, is in some respects more like J/. dryas. Thus the upper parts, instead of being grayish sooty, are more olive, the under parts more ochrace- ous yellow. The crissum, however, instead of being yellowish-white, like the anal region, is of a snuffy brown. The tail is much longer (3.30), TURDUS. ll not agree exactly with Mr. Gould’s description, but is probably the same species. Catharus mexicanus. Malacocichla mexicuna, Box. Comptes Rendus, XLIII, Nov. 1856, 998 (Xalapa).—Catharus mexicanus, ScuaTER, P. Z. 8. 1859, 324.—Is. Catal. 1861, 1, no. 4. Hab. S. Mexico; Guatemala. Above yellowish olive, with a tinge of rufous in the rump and base of tail. Top and sides of head black, this color not extending to sides of lower jaw, which are dark ash. Beneath ashy; the chin and throat whitish ; middle of belly and crissum white; breast and sides tinged with olive. Bill yellow; dusky along culmen; tip brownish yellow or very pale corneous. Length, 6.00; wing, 3.55; 1st primary, .90; tail, 2.80; bill, from nostril, .40, from gape, .90; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe and claw, .88. Specimen examined, No. 32 of Mr. Salvin’s collection, Rio Poto- chic, Tileman, Guatemala, Jan. 1861 (lent by Mr. Salvin). This species is easily distinguished by the combination of the yel- lowish olive back, black head, and absence of spots beneath. The olive has a more gamboge tinge than in dryas, and the black of the head does not extend over the lower jaw. There is nothing of the ochry yellow of the under parts, nor the spots of dryas. TURDUS, Liyny. Turdus, Lixy. Syst. Nat. ed. 10th, 1758, 168. ‘(Type T. viscivorus of Europe.) The genus Turdus is an exceedingly cosmopolitan one, embracing species from nearly all parts of the world excepting Australia. There are many minor variations in external anatomy and style of coloration ; but the transition is so gradual from one form to another as to render it exceedingly difficult to separate them generically to any considerable extent. They agree in the conical subulate bill, shorter than the head; the tip gently decurved and notched (except in Hesperocichla) ; the rictus with moderate bristles ; the wings rather long and pointed, with small 1st primary (less than one-fourth the second) ; considerably longer than the tail, which is firm, nearly even, with broad feathers. Tarsi variable, seldom as long as the skull, the scutellee fused into a continuous plate; only in rare individual instances showing indications of the lines of separation. The following arrangement of the genus is proposed as expressing, with some accuracy, the characters of the American species :— 12 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Sexes similar. Hylocichla. Smallest species. Bill short, broad at base ; much depressed. Tarsi long and slender, longer than middle toe and claw by the additional length of the claw; outstretched legs reaching nearly to tip of tail. Body slender. Color: above olivaceous or reddish, beneath whitish ; breast spotted ; throat without spots. ; Turdus. Bill stouter and higher. Tarsi short, scarcely longer than middle toe and claw. Body stout, geperally whitish beneath and spotted. (2d quill longer than 5th ?). Planesticus. Similar to preceding. (2d quill shorter than 5th?). Beneath mostly unicolored ; unstreaked except the throat, which is whitish with dark streaks. Sexes dissimilar. - Merula. Similar to Turdus. Male usually more or less black, especially on the head ; females brownish, often with streaked throats. Bill distinctly notched. Hesperocichla. Similar to Turdus. Male reddish beneath, with a black collar. Bill without notch. Of the preceding sections into which I have divided Turdus, the first one is possibly entitled to full generic rank. It is intended to include the small North American species, with Turdus mustelinus, Gm., at the head as type, which are closely connected on the one side with Catharus, by their lengthened tarsi, and with Turdus by the shape of the wing. The bills are shorter, more depressed, and broader at base than in typical Turdus, so much so that. the species have frequently been described under Muscicapa. The section Turdus, as well as the entire genus itself, has as its type Turdus viscivorus of Europe. We have no native representa- tive of this group—one species only, Turdus iliacus, coming into the American fauna from its occurring in Greenland. Planesticus, first announced, as far as I can ascertain, by Bona- parte in his Notes on Delattre’s Collection, 1854, 27, appears to have as its type 7. jamacensis (T. lereboulleti of Bonaparte, erroneously credited to Colombia instead of Jamaica). It is among these species that we find the closest relationships to the large European Thrushes, as viscivorus, etc. The legs are short and stout. In the best known species— T. migratorius—there is an occasional indication of sepa- rate scutella on the lower part of the tarsi, to which Kaup has called attention in the Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte. I find the same feature in a specimen of T. viscivorus, No. 18,716, in 7. torquatus, 18,944, and many other species, and consider it merely a condition of immaturity of development. TURDUS. 13 The type of Merula (Leach, 1816) is Turdus merula of Europe. It differs from the American species I have seen in having the claws much longer and less curved. Turdus nevius should be removed from its position among the Planestict and placed either among Merula, or even assigned to a separate division. It agrees with Merula in the dissimilarity of color in the sexes; but differs from all the American true Thrushes in a much more subulate and slenderly conical bill, without any notch at the tip. The claws are longer and straighter than in 7. migratorius, more like typical 7. merula. In form it is perhaps nearer Z. tor- quatus than other species of Merula. It is somewhat of a question as to what name should be given to the section of Turdus, of which nzvius is the type. Bonaparte, in his Notes on Delattre, states that Turdus nevius, Gm., is the type of his new genus [xoreus, and that it is not a Thrush at all, but a true Txniopterien. Dr. Sclater, to whom Bonaparte exhibited his supposed species, 7. nevius, states (Pr Zool. Soc. 1859, 331) that it proved to be the Teenioptera rufiventris, of South America, a bird of an entirely different order. Now, on the one hand, Turdus nevius, Gm., is positively stated by Bonaparte to be the type of his genus Izoreus. Dr. Sclater, however, explains Bonaparte’s errone- ous ideas of its affinities by showing that he had in view an entirely different species, a fact which only accidentally comes to light. Under these circumstances, if Zvoreus is not to be applied to nevius, must it not be assigned to Txnioptera rufiventris, in case that species should need a new generic appellation; or should it be dropped altogether? On the whole I am inclined to adopt the latter view, and accordingly propose the name Hesperocichla. It will be understood, of course, that the preceding arrangement of Turdus is only provisional, and merely intended to hint at the affinities of the American species. Without a full series of the Old World Thrushes, I can only base my notices on the species I have ‘before me. Hylocichia. Turdus mustelinus. Turdus mustelinus, Gauxuin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 817.—Avpuzon, Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 372, pl. 73.—Is. Birds Am. III, 1841, 24, pl. 144.— D’Oxs. La Sagra’s Cuba Ois. 1840, 49.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 212.—Scnater, P. Z. §. 1856, 294, and 1859, 325.—Is. Catal. 1861, 2, No. 6. Turdus melodus, Wits. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 35, pl. ii. Turdus densus, Bonar. Comptes Rendus, XXVIII, 1853, 2.—Is. Notes Delattre, 1854, 26 (Tabasco). 14 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART L Additional figures: Vieruuor, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. 1xii.—Witsow, Am. Orn. I, pl. ii. Hab. U.S. east of Missouri plains, south to Guatemala. Cuba, La Sacra; Honduras, Moors (Pr. Z. S. 1859, 55). This species varies less in its markings and shade of color than perhaps any of our small spotted Thrushes. In some there is a faint tinge of pale buff on the under parts, which are nearly pure white in others, with the wash of buff restricted to the breast. Some speci- mens appear more spotted beneath than others, but this is the case with Northern skins (as 1569, from Carlisle) equally with more Southern; in fact specimens from Guatemala and Mexico exhibit precisely the same variations in this respect. I am, therefore, not disposed to consider Turdus densus, of Bonaparte, as a good species, unless possessing distinctive characters not mentioned by that author, and other than that of being more thickly spotted beneath, with the spots larger and the bird smaller. The young Turdus mustelinus is like the adult, except in having rusty yellow triangular spots in the ends of the wing coverts. Dr. Sclater gives Jamaica as one of the winter localities of this Thrush. Mr. March has never met with it, and is of the opinion that the bird referred to by Gosse is the Mimus hillit, at one time supposed by the Jamaican Ornithologists to be the 7. mustelinus. List or SPECIMENS. ! Smith-|Collec-| Sex : | When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. i Received from Collected b: No. | No. | Age. Collected. y 4,650 a -. | Fort Pierre, Neb. | May 3,1855.| Col. Vaughan. Dr. Hayden. 8,390 96 | Q | Independence, Mo. | June 22,'57.) W. M. Magraw. Dr. J. G. Cooper. 22,356 |34,414 | .. Mexico. iis Verreaux, Shave. eae 7,947| . | Guatemala. | ca J. Gould. ae Bet aie ve aie Cab. Lawrence. waver 20,392) 377) .. | Coban, Vera Paz. O. Salvin. Constancia. 8,390. Iris brown. Turdus pallasii. Turdus pallasit, Capants, Wiegmann’s Archiv, 1847 (1), 205.—Is. Jour- nal f. Orn. 1855, 470 (Cuba).—Baigp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 212,— Scnater, P. Z, §. 1859, 325.—Is. Catal. 1861, 2, No. 7. ‘ Turdus solitarius, Wiusox, Amer. Orn. V, 1812, 95 (not of Liyyavs).— Scuater, P. Z. S. 1857, 212. Turdus minor, Bon. Obs. Wilson, 1825, No. 72. Turdus guttatus, Capanis, Tschudi, Fauna Peruviana, 1844, 187 (not Muscicapa guttata of Patuas). TURDUS. 15 Additional figures: Aup. Birds Am. III, pl. cxlviiIs. Orn. Biog. I, pl. lviii. Hab. Eastern North America. Cuba, Cas. Mexico? A large series of specimens from the northern parts of the United States shows considerable variations in color, ete. In all, of course, the rump and tail are rufous, in decided contrast with the rest of the upper parts. The shade of color here varies considerably, however : generally it is of reddish olive, sometimes as bright and of the same shade as in 7’. fuscescens (as in 7591, Washington), though generally alittle less intense. In two specimens only does the back have the olive rather than reddish shade predominant (28,225, Washington ; 29,649, Maine), as in T. swainsonii and nanus. These specimens are almost as small as nanus, but have the large bill and fulvous tinge of sides and crissum of.pallasiz. In many specimens there are vestiges of the lighter spots on the ends of the wing coverts. The under parts do not vary much, although sometimes the tinge of pale buff across the breast is more decided; sometimes nearly wanting. The size is pretty constant; the wing rarely exceeds 3.75, in one case only (2,092, Carlisle) measuring 3.85 ; in half the speci- mens it is about .20 less. The bill, too, is pretty constantly .40 from tip to nostril. The tarsi measure about 1.15. A young bird has all the feathers of the head, back, and wing coverts streaked centrally with drop-shaped spots of rusty yellowish. I have seen no specimen of this bird from south of the limits of the United States. Mr. Sclater quotes one from Orizaba; but it may be the audubont, as Prof. Sumichrast has sent a specimen referable rather to the latter variety. List oF SPECIMENS. Smith-|Collec-] Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. ; 22,610 | 505 .. | Fort Simpson, B. A. Sep 6, 1860.) B. R. Ross. Sts . -- | Fort, Peel’s River. Cc. P, Gaudet. fe oa Ft. Rae, Slave Lake. L. Clark, Jr. 31,413 ie -. | Ft. Resolution, ‘“ J. Lockhart. Turdus nanus. Turdus nanus, Avp. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 201, pl. eci.—Barrp, Birds N. A. 1858, 213.—Scuater, P. Z. S. 1859.—Is. Catal. 1861. ? Turdus aonalaschka, Guuuin, 8. N. I, 1788, 808. ?? Muscicapa guttata, Panuas, Zoog. Rosso-Asiat. II, 1811, 465. Hab. Western North America (south of Columbia R. ?) to Rocky Mountains, south to Cape St. Lucas. 16 REVIEW OF AMERICAN. BIRDS. [paRT L I have little to add to the remarks on this species in the Birds of North America, except that the predominant shade in the back is the olive of swainsonii rather than the reddish of fuscescens, as in T. pallasti. I have, however, not mentioned the difference in the bill, which, besides being smaller, is much more depressed, as in Anthus. The height of the bill at the base just back of the nostrils in pallasii is from .17 to .19 of an inch, while in nanus it is only .15. The distance from tip of bill to nostril is .85 or .86; the length of tarsus, 1.07 to 1.10; the wing, 3.30 to 3.48. The clear plumbeons cast of the flanks and thighs, and the white crissum of nanus, con- trast characteristically with the rufous tinge of the same parts in pallasti. The legs are rather darker and considerably more slender. Pallas, in his Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, IJ, 1831(?), 465, de- scribes a Muscicapa guttata from Kodiak, an island of the Russian American Archipelago, collected by Billings. This was, in all pro- bability, a young Thrush in the immature spotted plumage, and if any described North American species, may, from its size and colora- tion, be referred to Turdus nanus, rather than to any other Thrush. Should this be substantiated, the name guttatus must take prece- dence ; but as there is still some uncertainty on the subject, I prefer to make no change at present until young birds of the species can be procured. A young T. paliasii shows some rather marked differ- ences from Pallas’ description. List or SPECIMENS. Smith-|Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Received from Collected b: No. No. | Age. Collected. : y 8,168} .. -. | Sacramento Valley. aes Lt. Williamson. Dr. Newberry. 16,143 | 353 Q | Fort Crook, Cal. May 20,’59.| J. Feilnmer. | ...... 10,885 m8 od | Fort Bridger. April 29 C. Drexler, | = ....s 8,170 ws .- | Frontera, Tex. May 8. Major Emory. Chas. Wright. 321165] 10,781] ¢ | San Gertrude Mt., ‘ cee Cape St. Lucas. | Jan. 1861. J. Xantus. Turdus auduboni. Turdus auduboni, Barrp. Merula silens, Swainson, Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 369 (not Turdus silens of Viento, Encycl. Meth. II, 1823, 647, based on T. mustelinus, WILs. =T. fuscescens).—Is. Fauna Bor.-Amer. II, 1831, 186.—Baigp, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 213, and 922,.—Scrarer, P. Z. S. 1858, 325 (La Parada), and 1859, 325 (Oaxaca).—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 2, no. 9. Hab. Rocky Mountains, from Fort Bridger south into Mexico. Since my article on the genus Turdus was published in the Birds TURDUS. 1% of North America, I have seen several other specimens of the large race of Turdus pallasiit. The back is rather more olivaceous than in pallasti, the rump paler and less rufous, and the colors generally much as in nanus. In the largest specimen (10,886, from Fort Bridger) the wing is 4.18 inches; tail, 3.60; bill, from tip to nostril, .45; tarsus, 1.26. Other specimens from Mexico and Guatemala are a little smaller, but all exceed pallasii in size. This species or race appears to belong to the high table lands of North America; the skin collected by Mr. Drexler, at Fort Bridger, and that from Cantonment Burgwyn (both localities in the Rocky Mountains), being however the only specimens recorded from the United States. On the other hand, it seems to be rather common in Mexico and Guatemala. A specimen from Orizaba agrees with the others referred to in the grayer plumage above, although not larger than many of the true pallasit. It is probably the same variety that Dr. Sclater refers to as T. pallasit from Orizaba. Whether the present bird be specifically distinct from 7. pallasii or not, there is no doubt of its being a decidedly marked race, of larger size and grayer plumage above. While, as defined, the true T. pallasizt is confined to eastern North America, possibly not mi- grating south of its limits, the 7. auduboni belongs to the central North American plateau, ranging from Fort Bridger to Orizaha. As the name of T. silens is pre-occupied in the genus by Vieillot, I have ventured to affix the name of 7. auduboni to the present bird, basing the name upon the largest specimen from Fort Bridger (10,886). List oF SPECIMENS. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Cc ioons Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. : 10,886 | 483 og | Fort Bridger? May 28, ’58.| C. Drexler. 11,734 ae .. | Cantonment Bur- iis Dr. W. W. Ander- 7,950 bea .. |Mexico. [gwyn,N.M. ates J. Gould. [son. 13,579 sre ae se eye “ 13,580; .. ae ee ot ue 32,4597| 355 -. |Orizaba, fret Prof. Sumichrast. 10,886. Type. No. 11,734. 8; 11.25; 3.75. Turdus fuscescens. Turdus mustelinus, Wiisox, Am. Orn. V, 1812, 98, pl. 43 (not of Genin). Turdus fuscescens, SrepHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. Birds, X, 1, 1817, 182. Cas. Jour. 1855, 470 (Cuba).—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 214.— Scrater, P. Z. S. 1859, 326.—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 2, no. 10. Turdus silens, Vietuu. Encyclop. Méth. II, 1823, 647 (based on 7. muste- linus, Wits.). 2 June, 1864, 18 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Turdus wilsonii, Box. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 73. Turdus minor, D’OrB. La Sagra’s Cuba Ois. 1840, 47, pl. v (Cuba). Hab, Eastern North America; Cuba; Panama (winter). There is not much variation in the color, and but little in the size of this species. The spots on the breast are sometimes more distinct than common, but less so than in 7. ustulatus, and they never extend so far back. It is a matter of some geographical interest that Mr. Drexler obtained the true 7. fuscescens at Fort Bridger, in the Rocky Mountains, instead of 7. ustulatus, its western representative. The collections of the Smithsonian Institution do not contain specimens of this species from any point north of Fort Garry, nor south of the limits of the United States, although Mr. Lawrence has a skin from the Isthmus of Panama. I do not find it quoted as from beyond the United States by recent authors. List of SPECIMENS. Smith- Collec- Ser When sonian| tor’s | an Locality. Received from ollec No. No. | Age. " Collected. nee 22,299| .. | .. | Halifax, N.S. aon W. G. Winton. = 18,683 16 .- | Portsmouth, N. H. mia E. Coues. 13,132 a .. | Red River Settle- ‘ee C. S. Hubbard. 18,522] 23 iis “* (ment, B.A. oe D. Gunn. 13,698 os o& | Rainy Lake. May 29. R. Kennicott. 4,713 wie +» | Mo. of Vermilion. ais Lt. Warren. 10,881 a Q | Fort Bridger, Utah.) May 27,’58.| C. Drexler. - 8 Q | Panama. seis Cab. Lawrence. M’Lean. & Galb. 13,132. No. 2,256. Eggs. No. 8. Cabinet of G. N. Lawrence. Turdus ustulatus. Turdus ustulatus, Nurrauu, Man. I, 1840, 400 (Columbia River).—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 215, pl. lxxxi, fig. 1.—Coopzr & Suckxey, P. R. Rep. XII, 1, 1860, 171. Additional specimens of this bird, received since the publication of the “ Birds of North America,” have satisfied me of the validity of this species. Of the diagnostic characters there enumerated, I find that of the fulvous or yellowish brown of the axillars (and to some extent of the tibie), as compared with their purer ash in fus- cescens to be a constant one. The spots on the breast are much better defined, darker, and extend farther back on the breast. The sides are more of a yellowish-brown. The Dill is much darker being dark brown except at the base of the lower mandible, which is yellowish, and in marked contrast to the remainder ; while is Susces- TURDUS. 19 cens the lower mandible is yellowish, only tinged with brownish (sometimes scarcely appreciable) towards the end. This species hitherto has not heen noted as found outside of the limits of Washington Territory and Northern Oregon, nor as far east as the Rocky Mountains—the most eastern point being Chiloweyuck Depot, of the Northwestern Boundary Survey (as 15,931, July 3, 1859, Dr. Kennerly), where it was found breeding very abundantly. The eggs bear a close resemblance to those of 7. swainsoni, being thickly spotted, instead of being plain blue, as in its nearest relative, T. fuscescens. Turdus swainsoniti. Turdus swainsonii, Cas. Tschudi, Fauna Peruana, 1844-46, 188.—? Scra- TER & Saxvin, Ibis, 1859, 6 (Guatemala).—Sctater, P. Z. 8. 1858, 451 (Ecuador); 1859, 326.—Is. Catal. 1861, 2, no. 11.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 216.—Guwpxacu, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324 (Cuba). Turdus minor, Gmeuin, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 809 (in part). Turdus olivaceus, Giravub, Birds L. Island, 1843-44, 92 (not of Liny.). (?) Turdus minimus, LaFRESNAYE, Rev. Zool. 1848, 5.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1854, 111.—Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1860, 226 (Bogota).— Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lye. 1863. (Birds Panama, IV, no. 384.) Hab. Eastern North America; westward to Ft. Bridger and Upper Columbia, north to Arctic Ocean, south to Ecuador. There is not much difference in the color and size of specimens of this species from different parts of the United States. There is a strong fulvous tinge on the throat, breast, and side of head and neck, a tawny yellowish ring round the eye, and a decided line of the same extending from the nostrils to the eye. The upper parts are of uni- form olivaceous, and pretty constant in shade; sometimes a little grayer, sometimes with a faint tinge of rufous, though this is usually almost inappreciable. Sometimes the fulvous tinge of the breast is so slight as to induce a resemblance to 7. alicizx ; but here the persistence of the yellowish ring round the eye, and the line from eye to nostril, will generally determine the species. In a few instances the ring round the eye and loral line are very pale, but I have considered the distinct ex- istence of the latter as inclining the decision in favor of swainsonit. It is quite possible that some of these doubtful specimens may be hybrids of the two species, as they invariably come from the regions where both breed abundantly. The bill is generally rather small, on an average measuring .35 from front of bill to nostril; in one or two specimens in the series, as 22,250, from Washington, it measures .40, or nearly as much as 20 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. aliciz. One specimen (5,657) from Kansas, has the bill only .30 from nostril to tip; the tarsi, .99; wing, 3.80; tail, 2.88. In an average specimen from Carlisle (2,639) the bill is .40; tarsus, 1.12; wing, 3.75; tail, 2.85. A specimen from Panama, belonging to Mr. Lawrence’s collection, and which he refers to the Turdus minimus of Lafresnaye, is smaller than the average of northern specimens, with shorter bill. Itisa very little less than the Kansas specimen, with the bill a little longer ; but several Carlisle and other northern specimens have the wings and tail still shorter. I am, therefore, disinclined to consider the specimen as anything more than 7. swainsont, perhaps a short billed variety to which the Kansas specimen may also belong. If the Turdus minimus of Lafresnaye be properly described, it would appear to be different from any of the varieties of T. swain- sontt. This species has been found to occur farther to the west than was formerly supposed. Mr. Drexler obtained specimens at Fort Bridger, Dr. Cooper in the Bitterroot Mountains, and Dr. Kennerly, of the N. W. Boundary Survey, found it in Washington Territory. North- ward it reaches almost to the Arctic Ocean, along the Mackenzie, and across from there to Fort Yukon; in fact it occurs throughout the whole northern heavily wooded region. I have seen no speci- meus from Labrador, where, however, T. aliciz seems abundant. Having had the opportunity of examining the specimen from Bo- gota, which Dr. Bryant referred to the species of Lafresnaye (no. 92 of Dr. Bryant’s collection), I am able to corroborate the remarks of the former relative to its peculiarities. The spots are larger than common in the North American birds, and appear to extend farther back on the breast and sides, where, in fact, they are as dark as those on the jugulum, instead of being fainter and grayer of tint. The flanks are darker, and colored like the back, instead of being much lighter. The line from bill to eye, and probably the ring round the eye, are of a much more brownish-yellow. I am, however, not ready to conclude that this specimen is specifi- cally distinct from Turdus swainsonii, as North American skins vary @ good deal in their characters, some of them approaching it in one direction and some in another. The size is nearly equal to the average of swainsonit, the skin being pressed up so as to seem shorter than it should be. It measures but 5.90, but should be at least 6.50; the wing is 3.80; the tail 2.95; bill to nostril, .36; tarsus, 1.04; all dimensions readily paralleled in the North American bird. The bill is fully as large. TURDUS,, 21 The Turdus minimus of Mr. Lawrence, from Panama, is even more like typical North American birds. It is quite possible that neither of these specimens belongs to the true 7. minimus of Lafresnaye, as this author speaks of his bird being of a smoky brown tinge above, “just as in Securus aquaticus (noveboracensis),” a decidedly different color. List oF SPECIMENS. Smith-|Collec-| Sex Wh sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Coll fa Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. eee ns 23,622 ie -- | Moose Factory, H. sae J. Mackenzie. | ...... 20,616| 79 a * [Bay.|July 3, 60. | C. Drexler. C. Deexler. 20,614} 485 .. | Fort George. July 11,’60. Oat my, ah) oh eiaceraaens 23,288 Ss .. | St. Stephens, N. B. ots G. A. Boardman,| ~—........ 2,206 ate od | Carlisle, Pa. May 3,1845.; S. F. Baird. | — ...... 22,250] 544 .. | Washington, efits D. W. Prentiss. 27,189] 86 Q | Fort Yukon. June 20. Jas, Lockhart. 27,182 |1,190 o i a R. Kennicott. 23,221 ae .. | Fort Good Hope. ery R. W. M’Farlane. 27,188 84 2 | Fort Simpson. bees B. R. Ross. 22,612| 649 .. | Big Island. iets 5 19,479 a .. | Fort Resolution. May 2. R. Kennicott. 17,980 62 .. | Saskatchewan. 1859. ME eaten 11,585 as -- | Red River Sett. seed D.Gunn, | aves 5,818 on od | Black Hills. Sept. 18. Lt. Warren. Dr. Hayden. 8,302 15 .. | Independence, Mo. |Mar. 27,'57.| W. M. Magraw. Dr. J. G. Cooper. 6,993 a go | St. Louis, Mo. May 15, ’57,| Lt. Bryan. W.S. Wood. 4,324 a +» | Caleasieu, La. 1854. G. Wurdemann. | a... 12,199 we .. | Red Fork of Arkan- eians Dr. 8. W. Wood- sas. House, | aby lg 8,215] 147 .. | Fort Laramie. Sep. 10,57.) Dr. J.G. Cooper.| —...... 10,887 a & | Fort Bridger. May 27,°58.| C. Drexler, | = ...... 22,037 93 .. | Bitter Root Valley. |Sep. 3, 60. | Dr. J.G.Cooper.| —...... 21,916 | 549 og | Clark’s Fork of Col. ane A. Campbell. Dr. Kennerly. 21,917 | 538 g [River. ik of fe 13,577 0 -. | Mexico. sks J.Gould, | ee 7,948 a8 tp tf ate ae xaieds 13,578 a .. | Guatemala. siya fee A “eget 20,393 a -- | Coban, Vera Paz, ves O.Salviints fh 2 wsecee 5 .. | Panama. 1862. Cab. Lawrence. M’Leannan. (2,206.) 7.40; 12.08; 4.08. (8,302.) Iris brown. Turdus aliciz. Turdus aliciz, Barkp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 217, pl. 81, fig. 2.—Coves, Pr. Acad. Nat. Sci. Aug. 1861, 217 (Labrador) The validity of this species, first established in 1858, in the “ Birds of North America,” has since been substantiated, and its geographical distribution ascertained by numerous specimens in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Labrador and the Lower Mackenzie River, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia, and to the south, Costa Rica, have all been added to the regions known to be inhabited by it. It is, in fact, a very remarkable circumstance, that for two or three years past it has been more abundant around Wash- ! Type of minimus of Lawrence. 22 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [part I. . ington than swainsonii itself. It certainly is much more common now than formerly, as none of the older collections embrace it among their species, while it is frequently met with at the present time. As originally described, it differs from swainsonti in larger size, longer bill, feet, and wings especially, straighter and narrower bill. The back is of a greener olive. The breast and sides of the head are entirely destitute of the buff tinge, or at best this is very faintly - indicated on the upper part of the breast. The most characteristic features are seen on the side of the head. Here there is no indica- tion whatever of the light line from-nostril to eye, and scarcely any of a light ring round the eye—the whole region being grayish- olive, relieved slightly by whitish shaft-streaks on the ear coverts. The sides of body, axillars, and tibie are olivaceous gray, without any of the fulvous tinge seen in swainsonti. The bill measures .40, from tip to nostril sometimes more; tarsi, 1.21; wing, 4.20; tail, 3.10—total, about 7.50. Some specimens slightly exceed these dimensions; few, if any, fall short of them. At the time that this species was described, in 1858, the only known localities were Illinois and the line of the Missouri River along the mouths of the Vermilion and the James Rivers. Since that time its distribution has been found to be much more extensive. Although not yet found west of the Missouri, nor on it above Fort Union, it is abundant along the Lower Mackenzie, and especially about Fort Anderson, on Anderson River. It is rare on the Youkon, as well as on Slave Lake, except perhaps at the western extremity. Mr. Coues found it abundant in Labrador. It is now particularly common in the spring about Washington, and a few specimens have been obtained about Philadelphia.t South of this it has not been noticed with the single exception of the specimen recorded below. Dr. Bryant, however, thinks he has seen it in Dr. Gundlach’s Cuban collection. In a word, its distribution in North America, as at present known, is from the Missouri River and the Mackenzie on the west, to Wash- ' Mr. J. A. Allen, in a paper on the Birds of Springfield, Mass. (Pr. Essex Institute, IV, 1864, 56), speaks of Turdus aliciz as abundant about Springfield, and as grading so insensibly into the 7. swainsonii, as not to be entitled to consideration as even a strongly marked variety. Iam inclined, however, to think, from the nature of his remarks and comparisons, that he has not seen what I oall 7. aliciz. During the many years I collected birds about Carlisle, and in the course of which I killed large numbers of 7. swainsonii, I never saw an alicie, although I observed the same variations in shade and color of the former referred to by Mr. Allen. TURDUS. 23 ington and Philadelphia on the east, and northward to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, where, however, it is confined within narrow limits of longitude. 1 Smith- Cotte, Sex ae. sonian| tor’s | an Locality. ; Received from Collected b: No. | No. |Age. y Collected. y 27,328 |. 194 | Q | Fort Youkon. June30,’61.| J. Lockhart. | _....6- 27,203 | 1,420 | .. | La Pierre’s House. siete B R. Ross. J. Flett. is ne «. | Fort Anderson, aie R. Macfarlane. | — ...0-- 22,607 a Q | Fort Simpson. Sept. 10, ’60.| B. R. Ross. 18,072 100 | do | Grosvater Bay, Lab. 1860. Elliot Coues. 4,708 -» ‘| o& | Mo. of Vermilion. | May 8, 56. | Lt. Warren. Dr, Hayden. 10,084 .« | W. Northfield, ILL. iis R Kennicott. Alfee Kennicott. 22,288 Ohio. J.M. Wheaton, [| — .... 22,246 |, .. Washington, D.C. | C. Drexler, =| esses 30,485 91 San Jose, Costa Rica. Dr. A.v.Frantzius —.....- (27,328.) 7.20; 12.10; 4.10. (10,084.) Type. Turdus iliacus. Turdus iliacus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 168, and of European authors.—ReinHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 6 (Greenland). The occurrence of this well known European species in Greenland brings it within the limits of the American Fauna. Two Greenland specimens are recorded by Dr. Reinhardt: one of them shot at Frederickshaab, Oct. 20, 1845.1 Planesticus. Turdus jamaicensis. Turdus jamaicensis, Gurtin, S. N. I, 1788, 809.—Gossz, Birds Jam. 1847, 142.—Bon. Consp. 1850, 271.—Manrca, Pr. A. N. S. 1863, 292.—Scnatsr, P. Z. S. 1859, 327.—Is. Catal. 1861, 3, no. 13. Turdus capucinus, Hartuavs, Bp. Consp. 271. ‘ Turdus lereboulleti, Bp. Comptes Rendus, XXXVIII, Jan. 1854, 3. Hab. Jamaica. Smith-|Collec-) Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. C event Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. : ‘ 22,144 -. | Spanish town, Jam. | W.T. March, | — ...... ' This species is smaller than our Robin (7. migratorius), but of a similar grayish-olive above, including the head. The under parts are white; the feathers of the lower throat and breast streaked with brown. The sides, axillars, and inner wing covert are reddish cinnamon. A conspicuous white streak over the eye and extending as far back as the nape. BBill black, yel- low at base of lower jaw. Legs pale-colored. Second quill longer than fifth. Length, about 8.25; wing, 4.64; tail, 3.45; bill, from gape, 1.07, from nostril, .44; tarsus, 1.16; middle toe and claw, 1.15. Specimen described; 18,718, %,, received from the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich. 24 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART L Turdus leucauchen. Turdus leucauchen, ScuaTeR, P. Z. 8, 1858, 447.—ScLaTER, Ibis, 1859, 6.—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 3, no. 16. Hab. Guatemala. Mexico? Description of No. 30,647. (Compared with type.) Above black- ish ash, with tinge of olivaceous; wings and tail blackish brown, almost black. Beneath pale brownish ash; axillars and under wing coverts tinged with yellowish ; flanks rather darker ; middle of abdo- men and crissum white. Inner edges of the quills towards base not lighter than elsewhere, but brown. Chin and upper throat white, the feathers streaked centrally with black ; a conspicuous pure white patch at lower end of throat. Legs horn color; bill yellowish, tinged with brown along culmen towards the tip. Length, 9.25 (skin); wings, 4.80; tail, 4.20; bill, from nostril, .50; tarsus, 1.16; middle toe and claw, 1.10; longest primary (4th and 5th), 1.10, longer than the shortest; 2d intermediate between 6th and 7th. Specimens from Costa Rica, compared with 30,647, are smaller; the back more olivaceous; the median line of the belly whiter; the crissal feathers longer and more edged with plumbeous; the bill more tinged with brown. A triangular yellowish spot in the larger coverts apparently indicates a slight immaturity. Smith-|Collec-| Sex i 9 i When é sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Received from Collected b No. | No. | Age. Collected. y 22,360 |43,465 | .. ““Mexico.”" ais E. Verreaux. 32,684 |43,468 | 9 ey ae ee 20,688 | 1,452 | .. | Choctun, Vera Paz, | Jan. 1860. O. Salvin. 30,647 | 3,011 | .. ee [Guat. a es we 7 | .. | Guatemala, acs Cab. of G. N. Law- 33,263 23| g¢ | Dota Mts., Costa Jan. 27,’64.| J. Carniol. [rence.| =... .. 33,264 23) ¢ ne [Rica. ee HOSP Eee) ahaa 30,647. ‘‘Compared with type.’ 33,263. Length, 9; extent, 13. Iri llowish-| . 33,264. Iris brown. ae f eens a eee nt Turdus assimilis. Turdus assimilis, Cas. Mus. Hein. 1850, 4.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1857, 202; 1859, 370 (eggs).—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 3, no. 15. Hab. Mexico (Vera Cruz, Orizaba, Oaxaca). Guatemala. No. 22,351. Upper parts uniformly yellowish-olive, very much as in the brighter varieties of Turdus swainsonti. Wing and tail feathers (concealed portions) brown, of similar shade, without the TURDUS. 25 olive. Beneath pale grayish fulvous, rather darker on the flanks, where the color is much as on the back. Belly to crissum white. Chin white, the feathers streaked centrally with blackish brown; a whitish region posterior to the streaks. Axillars yellowish fulvous, as also to a rather less degree, the in- side of the wings, including the basal portion of inner webs of the quills. Bill and legs horn color, the under mandible paler. Length, 8.75; wing, 5.20; tail, 4.30; bill to nostril, .57; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe and claw, 1.12; claw alone, .30; longest primary exceeds the shortest by 1.20; second quill intermediate between the 6th and 7th (.16 longer than the latter). This specimen, in color of upper parts, wings and tail, is very similar to Turdus grayi, although readily distinguishable by the white abdomen, darker throat-streaks, ete. Turdus leucauchen is distinguishable at a glance from T. ass¢mi- lis, by its colors, almost black above, not fulvous; light plumbeous ashy beneath, not pale fulvous; uniform brown of inner webs of quills, and dark axillars, not decidedly paler and fulvous; greater amount of white on the throat; yeltow bill; shorter and more rounded wings, etc. . I have been thus detailed in showing the differences between what I consider characteristic specimens of assimilis and lewcauchen, to introduce a series of specimens exactly intermediate between the two, all labelled assimilis: 18,564 from Orizaba, by Dr. Sclater; 30,648 from Guatemala, by Mr. Salvin; 22,357, Mexico, by Mr. Verreaux. In 22,351, the size, proportion, and color are more like leucauchen ; the wings and tail are nearly as dark; the back, however, is green- ish-olive; the under parts similar, but paler; the axillars with a little more fulvous; the bill is as yellow. In 18,564, the relation- ship to assimilis is shown by a still lighter tinge above, the axillars almost as fulvous as in assimilis. Some dark shaft spots and streaks in the feathers of the breast are indications of a certain degree of immaturity. The gradation of these specimens between assimilis, as described above, and leucauchen, is so perfect, that in coloration No. 18,564 would, I think, be referred to the former, and 22,357 to the latter. With this, No. 30,648, from Guatemala, recently received from Mr. Salvin, also agrees quite closely—the axillars only being rather more fulvous. It is quite possible that these specimens referred to as intermedi- ate forms may, as labelled, all belong to Turdus assimilis ; while 22,351 may be another species. In this case I must leave the 26 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [Pant I. question to be decided hereafter. Mr. Sclater evidently refers to this intermediate form in P. Z. S. 1859, 370. | Smith-| Collee-| Sex Whe | tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. . +s I g' 22,351 140,790 | 9 Mexico. Bitte Verreaux. $$$| — -essee 22,357 | 40,789 f aise Bese 18,564 Fi as Orizaba, Mex. ee Dr. Selater. Botteri. 30,648 12. f° ns. Duefias, Guat. 1860. O.Salvine | ws... wie 6 | ae Xalapa. aor Cab. Lawrence. D’0ca. | Turdus grayi. ? Merula tristis, Swains. Philos. Mag. 1827, 369.—Turdus tristis, ScLATER, P. Z. 5. 1856, 294; 1859, 330. Turdus grayi, Bon. P. Z. 8. 1837, 118.—Is. Conspectus, 1850, 272,— Scrater & Sazvin, Ibis, I, 1859, 5 (eggs).—Scuater, Catal. 1861, 4, no. 22.—Cazanis, Journ. for 1860, 323. ? Planesticus luridus, Bon. Comptes Rendus, XXXVIII, 1854, 4 (New Grenada). — Turdus casius, Bon. Comptes Rendus, XLI, 1855, 657.— Turdus cesius, Scrater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 330.—Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lye. 1861, 326 (Panama). Hab. Mexico (Xalapa, Cordova, Oaxaca) ; Guatemala (Vera Paz); Costa Rica. In a rather large series of specimens I find some differences in individuals, which, however, do not appear of specific value, espe- cially as the separation in one character does not correspond with that based on another; nor are there any appreciable geographical rela- tionships. The length of the wing, tarsus, and bill, as well as the color and width of the latter, vary in specimens from the same localities. In some the inner edges of the quills towards their bases are of the same light cinnamon as the inner coverts; this color sometimes sharply defined as a margin. In others, again, this is less distinct ; while in some these edges are only of a paler gray, with the faintest trace only of cinnamon, and no margin is traceable. In most specimens of this bird the edges of the inner webs of the quills towards the base are light cinnamon, like the axillars, forming a conspicuous and well defined edging. In No. 30,646, however (a female bird), this character is almost inappreciable. No. 30,559, from Acajutla, differs in being larger (length, 10.00; wing, 5.15; tail, 4.80; bill to nostril, .60; tarsus, 1.25). The colors are paler, upper parts more olive, and the inner edges of the quills TURDUS. 27 only very slightly fulvous, without any well defined edging. This is also the case with some Costa Rica skins. Mexican specimens seem to have shorter bills than Guatemalan. In all there is a decided bare space behind the eye, less marked, however, especially around the eye, than in T. gymnophthalmus. The latter species is otherwise somewhat similar, differing mainly in the absence of the cinnamon tinge to the under parts of the body. Male and female specimens from Panama, in Mr. Lawrence’s col- lection, exhibit both extremes of coloration of the quills as referred to above. ~ I do not consider the evidence before me favorable to the separa- ration of 7. cesius from the original grayi; and therefore, for the present, prefer to unite the two species. Planesticus luridus, Bon. Notes Orn. Delattre, 28, New Grenada, probably, as suggested by Sclater, belongs here also. It is difficult to say to which of the Mexican Planesticit the Turdus tristis of Swainson belongs. His description of “olive brown, be- neath whitish; chin with black spots; under wing coverts pale fer- ruginous ; bill and legs brown,” really suits 7. leucauchen better than grayt, to which it has generally been referred, but is too far from the truth to admit of being identified with either. Smith-|Collec-| Sex Whe sonian| tor’s | tnd Locality. Coll ted Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. | Cee 13,664 one | Xalapa, Mex. eee P. L. Scelater. 33,570 165 | .. | Mirador, Mex. Nov. 1865. | Dr. Sartorius. 22,359 |40,793 4 ! | Cordova? Mex. ase Verreaux. 32,686 |14, PD : Mexico. Fe wa Jalapa. [Guat. Cab. Lawrence. 20,394 | 1, eS ea ! ; Tactic, Vera Paz, Jan. “1860. O. Salvin. 30,646 3,015 9 | gobaar “© [dor. 1861. . 30,859 os od | Acajutla, San Salva- Angi 11,763.) Capt. J. M. Dow. 30,481 17 | .. | San Jose,Costa Rica. Dr. v. Frantzius. 33,260 | .. | Ee J. Carniol. 33,262 | .. se ae . 33,261 | 147 te Dr. v. Frantzius. ey 8 Guatemala. Cab. Lawrence. 11} 9 _ Panama. ie ww} ¢ | I 13,664. 4.80; 1.25; 1.05. Inner edges of quills cinnamon; sharply defined. 33/570, “ “ “ a 22,359. 470; 1.30; 1.10. ee se ee a 9 4.70; 1.30; 1.13. Cinnamon ; not sharply defined. 20,394. 460; 1.18; 1.15. sharply defined. 80,646. 4.80: 1.25; 1.15. Paler, only a trace of cinnamon. 30,859, 5.15; 1.30; 1.17. 7 tf “ 30,481. 4.75: 1.20; 1.12. Cinnamon; sharply defined. 8. 4.50; 1.22; 1.10. 8 ss ss 11. 4.40; 1.20; 1.05. Paler, not edyed with cinnamon. 10. 4.85; 1.20; 1.10. ss “ ef 1 7. casius, Lawr. 28 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Turdus obsoletus. Turdus obsoletus, Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lye. VII, 1862 (%, Panama). Hab. Isthmus of Panama. Male: Second quill between 6th and 7th; 4th and 5th longest. Color above dark brownish olive, deepest on the head; beneath show- ing a considerably paler shade of the same, but darkest on the sides; throat similar, but with a grayish tinge, the centres of the feathers obsoletely darker. Region about the vent and under tail coverts pure white. Inner wing coverts, axillars, and inner edges of the quills cinnamon rufous. Greater coverts with a spot of cinnamon at the end (an indication of immaturity?). Bill and legs uniform brown. Length, 8.10; wing, 4.60; tail, 3.80; bill from gape, 1.15, from nostril, .58; tarsus, 1.17; middle toe and claw, 1.15. I owe the opportunity of examining this species to the kindness of Mr. Lawrence, the description being taken from his type speci- men No. 12, collected by Mr. M’Leannan in 1862. The peculiar dark lines crossing the feathers on the back, described by Mr. Law- rence, are purely optical in character, being similar to the watering of silks, etc. The under parts, too, are quite uniform, the edges of the feathers being possibly a little ferruginous. This species may be the female of one of the black species as suggested by Dr. Sclater, in a letter to Mr. Lawrence; but I am unable to assign it to any of those described, and the bird is marked as a male by Mr. M’Leannan. Turdus migratorius. Turdus migratorius, Linn. 8. N. 12th ed. 1766, 292.—Scuater, P. Z. S. 1856, 294; 1859, 331.—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 4.Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 218.—Coorer & Suckzey, P. R. R. R. XII, 11,1859, 172. Figures: Viziuuor, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lx, lxii—Witson, Am. Orn. I, 1808, pl. ii—Doveury, Cab. N. H. I. 1830, pl. xii.—AvDUBoN, Birds Am. III, pl. 142; Orn. Biog. H, pl. 131. Hab. The whole of North America; Mexico (Oaxaca, Cordova); Cuba, very rare (Gundlach) ; Tobago (Kirk). In highly plumaged specimens from the east the feathers of the inter-scapular region are frequently, even generally, tinged with blackish in their centres, passing gradually into ash on the edges, and the black of the head ceases to be sharply defined. There is also usually a well defined whitish tip, half an inch long, to the outer tail feathers. TURDUS. 29 In Rocky Mountain skins, the tail is either black except a very narrow whitish edge, or the white tips of eastern specimens are re- placed by a dull gray. The black of the head, too, is better defined, the interscapular feathers more uniformly ash, and the upper parts without the faint brownish wash so frequently seen in eastern speci- mens. There are, however, some exceptions to these features, in the series from each locality. The eolors generally of western birds appear to be paler. It may be proper to state that, while in spring adult specimens the bill is yellow with the extreme tip dusky, in immature, and per- haps winter dress, there is every gradation from this to a uniformly dusky bill. The entire culmen is frequently tinged with brown. In none of the specimens before me is the head entirely destitute of its brown or blackish color, although the edges of the feathers are frequently so much tinged with ash as greatly to obscure this character. The bills vary considerably in length—the shortest measuring .50 from tip to nostrils, the average being barely .60. A specimen from Mirador, Mex. (No. 23,908), agrees generally with skins from the United States, but the throat anteriorly is so closely streaked with black as to exceed the white in amount, this color being restricted principally to the chin. This species is found throughout the whole of North America, north to the Arctic Ocean, wherever collections have been made, and as far south as the latitude of Vera Cruz. No species are more generally distributed in North America than this bird and Dendreca zstiva. I find no mention of its occurrence south of Mexico. I mention only the extra limital specimens of the many skins in the Smithsonian collection. Smith-| Collec-| Sex ; sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Baaes: Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. 7,949 Mexico. esi | J. Gould. Sirens “ aces : J. Taylor. 13,581 4 \ | 23,908 Mirador, Mex. nae i Dr. C. Sartorius.| ...... Turdus confinis. Turdus confinis, Baird, D. 8. Hab. Todos Santos, Cape St. Lucas. No. 23,789. Entire upper parts and sides of head and neck uni- form grayish ash, with perhaps a faint tinge of olivaceous, less than in eastern specimens of 7. migratorius. The central portions of the 30 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. feathers of the top of head are rather darker than the edges, though almost inappreciably so, and not imparting a general dusky appear- ance. The chin and throat are white, streaked with ashy brown. The jugulum and breast are pale yellowish buff; the axillars, inner wing coverts and sides of the breast similarly, but rather more de- cidedly colored. The belly and edges of the crissal feathers are white, the hinder parts of the flanks ashy. There is a distinct whitish stripe from the lores over, and a quarter of an inch behind the eye; the lower eyelid is also white. The tail feathers are worn, but there is an indication of a narrow white tip. The feathers of the jugulum, especially of the sides, are tipped with ashy like the back, as in immature specimens of T. migratorius. The greater wing coverts are tipped with dull white. The bill is yellowish ; the upper mandible and the tip of lower tinged with dusky. The feet are pale brown. The length cannot be given accurately, as the skin is much drawn up. The wing, however, measures 5.10 inches, its tip reaching 1.40 beyond the longest secondary; tail, 4.10; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe and claw, 1.07; exposed portion of culmen, .92; from tip to open portion of nostrils, .60. The specimen with a general resemblance to an immature T. migratorius (especially the western variety), in the white superciliary streak and general markings, is much lighter beneath than in any of the many skins of Z. migratortus before me; there being none of the dark chestnut or cinnamon shade, but rather a light buff; the belly and flanks are much more purely white. The superciliary stripe extends farther behind the eye; indeed in most specimens of migratorius the white is nearly confined to the eyelids. The bill and wings are rather longer than usual in migratorius ; the middle toe, on the other hand, appears shorter. The specimen lacks entirely the reddish-brown back of 7. flavi- rostris, in which latter also the breast and sides are like those of migratorius. The white of the belly is even more extended. It has a whitish superciliary streak, entirely wanting in flavirostris. The upper part of the jugulum is not streaked. The wings are longer and more pointed, and the primaries extend considerably farther beyond the secondaries. The bills are of the same size ; the tarsus is 1.20, or longer than the middle toe and claw ; while in flavi- rostris (although a larger bird) the tarsus is only 1.00, and shorter than the middle toe and claw (1.20). Upon ‘the whole, it may be that the specimen before me represents an abnormal plumage of 7. migratorius; but its rather different TURDUS. 31 proportions, much paler ground color beneath, greater extent of white on the belly, absence of black or dusky on the head, etc., leads ne to consider it as distinct. Its being a summer bird of Cape St. Lucas is also an additional argument for this view. It is decidedly not to be referred to T. flavirostris. Smith-|Collec-| Sex Wh sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Galles sa Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. si 23,789 Todos Santos, C. 8. L.| Sum. of 1860. J. Xantus. J. Xantus. Turdus flavirostris. Turdus flavirostris, Swainson, Philos. Mag. 1827, 369.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 332. Turdus rufopalliatus, Larr. Rev. Zool. 1840, 259 (erroneously quoted as from Monterey, Cal.). Turdus palliatus, Bonar. Conspectus, 1850, 272. Hab. Western Mexico. This species appears to be but little known to ornithologists at the present time, none having been obtained by Boucard, Salle, D’Oca, and other collectors. Mr. Xantus, however, procured nume- rous specimens, in 1863, about Colima, Mex., which would seem to be its centre of abundance. It appears to vary but little in color with sex and season, and may readily be identified by Sclater’s diagnosis. Smith- |Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected. Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. . 12,864 9 | Ist. Tehuantepec. | May 17. T. C, Martin. A. J. Grayson. 29,349 104] ¢ Colema, Mex. Jan. 1863. J. Xantus. J. Xantus. 50 j00 | o “ “ “e i ion | ey) g | ss : : : man) |e) : : ‘ me wel g | ss : : : wat | ie) | oe i i “ 30,137 |_ 143 | 2 A Feb. 1863. “ “ 31,818 | LZ | a “ Aug. 1863. “ he th, 8.50. Iris brown. 29,354. Iris brown, San vee aay: a weadlaln 30,134. Length, 8.50. Iris brown. 29,351. “ brown. 30,137, * 9.95. « « 297352. tate 54 31,818. “4 29,353. de> at Merutla. Turdus infuscatus. Merula infuscata, Larres. Rev. Zool. 1844, 41.—Turdus infuscatus, Scratex & Sazvin, Ibis, I, 1859, 6.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 334, 362.—Is. Catal. 1861, 5 (no. 33). Hab. Mexico (Xalapa, Oaxaca). Guatemala. 32 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Loeality. Genes Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. . 13,657 ara =i Xalapa. ... | Dr. P. L, Selater. | D’Oca. 30,649 | 4,440 | .. Vera Paz, Guat. eve | Oo . Salvin. Salvin & Godman. Turdus rufitorques. Turdus rufitorques, Hartiaus, Rev. Zool. 1844, 214.—Sciarer, P. Z. 8. 1859, 334; Ibis, II, 1860, 29; Catal. 1861, 6, no. 35. Hab. Guatemala; Duefias. Smith-|Collec-| Sex When ; sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No.- | No. | Age. i 20,391 | 401 | g | Duefas, Guat. | Aug. 3, 1859. O.Salvin | wee Hesperocichia. Turdus nevius. Turdus nevius, Gu. 8. N. I, 1788, 817.—Scrarter, P. Z. 8. 1857, 4; 1859, 331.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 219.—Coorer & Sucxuey, P. R. R. R. XII, 11, 1859, 172. Orpheus meruloides, Ricu. F. B. A. II, 1831, 187, pl. xxxviii. Other figures: ViEruLor, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, pl. lxvi.—Avp. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, pl. 369, and 433.—Is. Birds Am. III, pl. 143. This species is not recorded as found elsewhere than on the north- west coast of America, from California northward to Russian America. Richardson obtained a single specimen on Great Bear Lake, described as Orpheus meruloides ; and Mr. Kennicott found another in the Rocky Mts., on Porcupine River (No. 27,221, August 28, 1861, col- lector’s number 1,612). It is proper to state that the specimen collected by Mr. Kennicott (of which only the head and wing were preserved) exhibits a decided notch in the bill. Nothing approximating to this character, how- ever, could be discerned in over fifty other specimens examined ; in all of which, if any indication of notch existed, it was of the most obsolete character, and was, in most instances, not to be found at all, PLATYCICHLA, Barrp. Platycichla, Barrp, n. g. (Type P. brevipes.') Among the South American Thrushes in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution is one (No. 23,954) for which I am unable 1 Platycichla brevipes, Barrp. The upper parts are greenish-olive, with an appearance of darker edges to the feathers of the head and back. The under PLATYCICHLA—-SEMIMERULA: 33 to find a name generic or specific, and which differs so very con- siderably from any other I have met with as to be well entitled to a new generic appellation. It was obtained by Dr. G. R. Horner, U.S. N., during the cruise of the Delaware many years ago, on the coast of South America, probably in Brazil. Two specimens similar to it are in the Philadelphia Academy. This may possibly be the Cichlopsis leucogenys, Cab. Mus. Hein. 1850, 54, or an allied species; but I cannot reconcile it with the description of either genus or species by Cabanis. With the general appearance of a Planesticus, it differs markedly in having a short and very broad deeply cleft bill, much depressed at the base, and with moderate bristles. The diameter of the jaw across the base of lower mandible is .42, much greater than the length of gonys (.31), and at least equal to the distance from nostrils to end of bill, very different from what it isin Turdus migra- torius. The feet are weak. The tarsi are very short, being less than the middle toe and claw; they are booted, or without transverse divisions. The wings and tail are much as in Turdus migratorius. In external form this bird exhibits quite an approach to the Ampe- lide, especially to Myadestes, although evidently a Thrush; but its short broad bill and weak feet, with short tarsi, distinguish it from all others. SEMIMERULA, SciaTeER. Semimerula, Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 332. (Type Turdus gigas.) Size large. Wings rather short and rounded, decidedly, but not considerably longer than the tail, which is slightly rounded. First quill in 7. gigas nearly one-half the 2d, in aurantius two-fifths ; 2d about equal to the 8th, or shorter than 7th; 5th longest. Bill large, in some specimens as long as the head. Legs stout and strong. Tarsi decidedly longer than the head. Color dusky all over. Sexes similar. parts are yellowish-olive ; crissum paler; the middle of belly and anal region whitish ash ; the throat feathers with shaft streaks and arrow spots of dusky, obscurely indicated on the jugulum; under wing coverts cinnamon; middle coverts with an occasional cinnamon spot. Total length, 8.40; wing, 4.45; tail, 3.80; exposed portion of first primary, .95; of second, 3.05; of longest (fourth, measured from exposed base of first primary), 3.30; bill: length from forehead, .80; from nostril, .43; along gape, .95; width of gape, .55 ; legs: tarsus, .95; middle toe and claw, 1.00; claw alone, .29; hind toe and claw, .68; claw alone, .35. 3 July, 1864. 34 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Among the species of Turdus, of Dr. Sclater, I find in his section Semimerula a group which, in its characters, differs so widely from Turdus and Merula proper, that I cannot help considering it of generic rank. At one end of the section is Dr. Sclater’s type, 7. gigas of Ecuador, in which the wings differ most from Turdus in being broad and much rounded; the Ist primary very large, and almost half the 2d, which about equals the 8th—the 6th quill longest. The bill is shaped like that of Z. migratorius, but rather larger. The legs are stout and strong. In 7. aurantius the wings are rather more pointed, but considerably less so than in T. migratorius. The lengthened tarsi, considerably longer than the head, form a conspicu- ous feature. The general appearance of aurantius is very like that of Mimocichla, the principal apparent difference being in the shorter and less rounded tail. The style of coloration, too, is much the same. Mr. George R. Gray places Cichlopsis, of Cabanis, among the Thrushes, with T. aurantius as the type. The true type, however, is Turdus leucogenys, Licht. Berlin Mus., which is generically very different from the Turdus leucogenys, Latham (—T. aurantius, Gr.). Semimerula aurantia. Turdus aurantius, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 832.—Scuater, P. Z, S. 1859, 333.—In. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 6, no. 37. (Semimerula.) Turdus leucogenys, Lataam, Ind. Orn. I, 341.—Gossz, ‘Birds Jam. 1847, 136.—Is. Illust. no. 23. Hab. Jamaica. The sexes do not appear to differ in this species, although the bills vary greatly in size. Thus in 24,340, %, the bill measures .60 from tip to nostril; while in 22,142, 2, it measures .75, with the same width at base or even rather narrower. Thus, as in other large Thrushes, I find that the bill varies considerably in size, although the average in a large number of specimens may furnish good specific characters. A young bird exhibits nothing of the spotted plumage of the im- mature North American Thrushes, differing from the adult merely in a wash of ferruginous on the under side, as well as on the top of head and back. Measurement of 24,340, &: Length, 10.00; wing, 4.80; tail, 4.35; bill from head, 1.00, from nostril, .60, from gape, 1.20; Ist primary, 1.10; 2d primary, 3.20; tarsus, 1.54; middle toe and claw, 1.28. MIMOCICHLA. 35 Smith- ;Collec-| Sex When : sonian| tor’s | and Locality. : Received from Collected b: No. No. | Age. y Collected. y 13,670 | .. An Jamaica. ates Dr. Sclater. 237302 «- |@Juv; Trelawney, Jam. |July 9, 59. ss 22,140 mye Zé Spanishtown, Jam. awe W. Thos. March. 22, 141 oo me 22,142 | .. g te fs 223143 a Se «(Jam ee 24,340 | 25 o Goshen, St. Annes, Oct. ‘10, 61. fe MIMOCICHLA, Scuarer. Mimocichla, Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 336. (Type Turdus rubripes, TemM.) Form.—Bill large, about as long as the head, without apparent notch in some species. Rictal bristles inconspicuous, those near the angle of the mouth reaching scarcely more than half way to the nostrils. Tarsi lengthened, equal to the middle toe and two lengths of its claw, either entirely smooth (or ‘“‘ booted”) anteriorly, or with obsolete indications of scutelle on the exterior face. Wing a little shorter than the tail, rather pointed; the lst primary large, broadly falcate, more or less obtuse, and contained from two and a half to three times in the 2d primary, which is nearly equal to the 8th quill; the 4th and 5th quills longest, the 3d and 6th little shorter. Tail somewhat graduated; the lateral feathers about three-quarters of an inch shorter. A naked ring round the eye. Cotor.—In the four species known to me the prevalent color is a uniform slaty or plumbeous, as in the Cat-bird (Jimus carolinensis). The extreme chin is white, the throat with a black patch, either uni- form or interrupted with white. The lores and space beneath the eye blackish. The lateral tail feathers have a terminal patch of white on their under surface for nearly half the exposed length, obscured on the outer web by a plumbeous tinge on the upper sur- face. All the feathers of wings and tail black, the former with the exposed or outer surface margined broadly with plumbeous in abrupt contrast (the black shows externally on the ends of the quills). First and 2d quills black, without external margin. Tail feathers margined at the base. The species may be thus distinguished :— Bill bldeck; whole under parts, including vent and crissum, uniform slaty ‘ : - plumbea. Bill reddish-black ; under parti viunbeens — vent and crissum, which are white . . . - schistacea. ‘Bill reddish-black ; beneath plumbeous ; ewe slbtaen and thighs cinnamon red; crissum white . ss . » rubripes. 36° REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Bill yellow; breast light cinereous, shading into a white ab- domen and crissum; throat white, with narrow central streaks of black (in all others uniform black) is . ardosiacea. This genus—a strongly marked one among the American Thrushes —is confined to the West India Islands, and may possibly include more species than those here enumerated. These have been in a state of much confusion until disentangled by the discovery, on the part of Dr. Bryant, of the true 7. plumbeus, of Linneus, as shown by him in his paper presented to the Boston Society of Natural History. Mimocichla plumbea. Turdus plumbeus, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. X, 1758, 169, not of ed. XII, 1, 294 (except reference to Carsssy), nor of GuEzin, 814, 12, which does not belong to the series at all, being a mixture of different forms. Mimus rubripes, Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, 1859, 114. (Blue Jay and Blue Thrasher of inhabitants.) Mimokitta plumbea, Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. 18638. Turdus viscivorus plumbeus, Caressy, Carol. I, tab. xxx. Hab. Bahamas. Bill from base of skull about as long as the head. No indication of a ter- minal notch, or at best a very faint one. Commissural edge of upper jaw straight as far as the nostrils, then concave tothe tip. Bristles about gape very short and inconspicuous, those at the angle of the mouth extended for- ward, reaching only half way to the nostrils. A narrow membranous ring round the eye, with a small naked space behind. Tarsi lengthened, rather more than equal to one and a quarter times the length of middle toe and claw. Scutelle indistinctly evident, almost oblite- rated and fused together, most distinct on the external face, eight in number to the base of middle toe. Outer lateral toe and claw the longer, reaching to base of middle claw, about equal to the hind toe and claw. Tail graduated ; lateral feathers .60, shorter than the middle ones. Wings a little shorter than the tail, moderately rounded ; 4th and 5th quills longest ; 3d and 6th little shorter; 2d intermediate between 7th and 8th, .45 shorter than the longest; 1st quill with its exposed surface one-third the length of the 2d, slightly falcate, broadest in the middle, but with the sides about parallel to the end, where it is obliquely truncate with the corners rounded. General color slaty gray (like that of Mimus carolinensis), including crissum, tibie, inner wing coverts, etc.; rather lighter beneath. Feathers of crown with concealed dark central streaks. Lores, space beneath the eye, fading out behind and a broad square patch on the chin and throat widening alittle behind, black, without any edging of white. Space between the rami of lower jaw, and a patch on its outer side white; the latter duller in color and continued beneath the eye, becoming more plumbeous, and forming an ‘ndistinct line of separation between the black of throat and that below the MIMOCICHLA. 37 eye. Wings and tail black, the coverts and outer edges of the quills light hoary plumbeous, margining and abruptly contrasting with the general black (ist and 2d primaries not margined). Rather more than the terminal fourth (1.20 inches) of lateral tail feathers with 4 white patch, the portion on the outer web plumbeous; this patch diminishes in size on the others until on the two inner on each side it forms only a slight plumbeous tip. The bill is black; the legs reddish. Tarsus, 1.40; middle toe and claw, 1.10; claw from base, .30; bill from base of head, 1.09, from nostrils, .61; commissure, 1.10; wing, 4.68; tail, 5; 1st quill, 1.00 long, .20 wide. As shown by Dr. Bryant, this is the true Turdus plumbeus of. Linneus, based upon the Turdus viscivorus plumbeus of Catesby (I, pl. xxx), a Bahama bird not recognized by naturalists until the visit of Dr. Bryant to the Bahamas, in 1859. In the 10th edition Linnzus confines his citations entirely to Catesby; in the 12th, he includes Brisson’s description of Merula americana cinerea, a differ- ent species. In their endeavors to find in Catesby’s bird one or other of tlie species belonging to the West Indies, authors found a great stumbling block in the black bill represented in his figure and description ; and Vieillot insists that Catesby must have been in error. This is, however, one of the most strongly marked characteristics of the species. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. c aunen. Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. " 33,168 | 15 ge Nassau, N. P. Ap. 22, 64.| Lt. Fitzgerald. | = ...... ee ea * Bere Cab. Dr. Bryant.| —........ 33,168. Legs, inside of bill, and iris orange red; bill black. Mimocichla schistacea. Mimocichla schistacea, BarrD, 0. 8. (17,713.) Bill very large and stout, about as long as the head; commissure very nearly straight. Bill decidedly notched. Rictal bristles short; not reaching as far forward as the nostrils. Legs stout ; tarsi longer than middle toe and claw; no indication of scutellation anteriorly. Wings rather shorter than tail; 1st primary much developed, almost half the 2d, broad-falcate, rather pointed. Tail somewhat graduated ; lateral feathers .70 shorter than central. Color dark plumbeous, scarcely paler on the rump. Centres of feathers of head and back darker (concealed). Tibie plumbeous, vent and crissum white. A broad patch on throat extending to the jugulum, lores, and space beneath the eye, black; chin and short stripe along the side of lower jaw, with concealed basal edges of the throat feathers, white. Tail feathers with a terminal white patch, largest externally, and diminishing to the central 38 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. ones. Wings and tail black. Outer edges of wing feathers, except Ist and 2d primaries, and of tail feathers at the base, plumbeous. Bill in skin red- dish-black ; legs apparently reddish. Iris in life light brown. Length of skin, 10.50; wing, 5.00; tail, 5.10; longest quill, .50 longer than 2d; Ist quill 1.55 long, .20 wide; 2d, 3.40; bill from forehead, 1.20, nostril, TL; commissure, 1.31; tarsns, 1.50; middle toe and claw, 1.21, claw alone, .30; hind toe and claw, .81. I have not been without a suspicion that this bird might be the MU. rubripes, without any reddish on the belly. In view, however, of the close resemblances among the West India species, and certain apparent differences of form, I am more inclined to the opinion that they are distinct. The size is about the same, but the bill is conspicuously larger and heavier ; middle and hind toes longer, with their claws longer; the lst primary longer. There is none of the cinnamon red of the belly; the plumbeous of the belly extends farther down to the vent, and includes the flanks and tibie. The general color of the body is much darker, and the rump is scarcely lighter than the back. It is, however, proper to state that, while two of the three speci- mens before me are as described, a third (No. 17,112) shows but little plumbeous on the thighs, which are of a dirty whitish. Both the Monte Verde birds, nevertheless, were killed in May, and are apparently in full plumage, and none were met with having cinnamon colored bellies. In a large collection of the true rubripes, from another part of Cuba, all the individuals were fully marked, as above indicated, with cinnamon red. One specimen of this bird is in the museum of the Philadelphia Academy. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Cc areata Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. - . 17,112 oe .. | Monte Verde, Cuba.| May 6. Chas. Wright. | ~~ ...... 17,13 | .. és “ ee Be No ae ‘ (17,112) Length, 10.25. (17,113) Length, 10.00. Mimocichla rubripes. Turdus rubripes, Temm. Pl. Col. 409.—Vicors, Zool. Jour. III, 1827, 439. —De ua Sacra, Cuba, Ois. 1839, 46, pl. iv.—Gunptacn, Boston Jour. VI, 1853, 318.—Mimus rubripes, Bp. Consp. 276.— Galeoscop- tes rubripes, Cas. Mus. Hein. 1850, 82.—Is, Journ. III, 1855, 470.—Scuatsr, P. Z. S. 1859, 336.—Is. Catal. Am, Birds, 1861, 6, no. 40 (Mimocichla). Hab. Cuba. MIMOCICHLA. 39 (31,978.) Bill from base of skull about as long as the head, with a distinct terminal notch. Rictal bristles short; those at the angle of mouth reaching scarcely more than half way to the nostril. A distinct membranous ring round the eye. Tarsi lengthened. No traces of scutelle in most specimens; the faintest possible (perhaps fallacious) indications in others. Wings rather rounded, shorter than the tail; 4th and 5th quills longest ; 2d between 7th and 8th; Ist quill slightly falcate, rather obtuse at the end, contained a little more than two and a half times in the 2d quill. Tail moderately graduated ; lateral feathers .70 shorter than central. General color slaty or plumbeous gray, darker on the back and head. Lores, space beneath the eye and extending on the ears, and a large patch on the throat, black ; chin, and a short patch from the side of lower jaw as far back as its articulation, together with the concealed bases of the black throat feathers, white. Posterior part of belly and flanks, with,the tibia, light cinnamon red. Crissum and terminal half of exposed surface of tail white. Wing and tail feathers black, except as described, abruptly margined ex- ternally with plumbeous (in the latter on the concealed bases of the feathers). Legs apparently red in life, fading into yellowish. Bill in the dried skin dusky, possibly in life of a dark reddish color. Length, 10.20; wing, 5.00; tail, 5.20; longest quill, .60 longer than the 2d; Ist 1.25 long, .21 wide; tarsi, 1.50; middle toe and claw, 1.12; claw alone, .28; bill from forehead, 1.08; nostrils, .65; gape, 1.25. In a considerable number of specimens before me I find quite a variation in size (No. 31,979 measuring 9.20, wing, 4.75), with but little in form; the lst primary is sometimes rather smaller in pro- portion than as described. The colors, too, are very constant. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Gavan Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. F a 1,816 a at Cuba. wits 8. F. Baird. Dep.| —.... 31,978 | .. sis se en J. Ashhurst. | = ...... 31,979 | .. ig o a | | Mimocichla ardosiacea. Turdus plumbeus, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. XII, I, 1766, 294 (not of 10th ed. excl. reference to CaTEsBy).—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 2, pl. lviii.—Is. Nouv. Dict. XX, 1818, 242.—? Galeoscoptes plumbeus, Saute, Pr. Z. 8. 1857, 231.— Galeoscoptes (Mimocichla) plumbeus, Scrater, P. Z. §. 1859, 336. Turdus ardosiaceus, ViEILL. Encyclop. Méth. II, 1823, 648 (St. Domingo). Le Merle cendré d’ Amérique, Brisson, Ornithol. II, 1760, 288 (St. Do- mingo). Hab. St. Domingo. Bill from base of skull shorter than the head. Lower edges of upper jaw straight to the middle, and then scarcely curved to the tip where there is a 40 REVIEW. OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I very slight notch. Bristles at base of bill very inconspicuous. But a slight indication of the conspicuous membranous ring round the eye of plumbea. Tarsi long, about one and a third times the length of middle toe and claw. Scutelle visible on the exterior side, but the edges there fused; seven observ- able to the base of the toes (one less than in plumbea). Outer lateral toe the longer. Tail graduated ; the feathers rather obtusely pointed ; the lateral about half an inch shorter than the central. Wings a little shorter than the tail, moder- ately rounded; 5th quill longer than 4th, 6th, and 3d; 2d between 7th and 8th; 1st quill falcate, broadest in the middle, but pointed (not obtuse, as in plumbea) ; exposed portion 1.14 in length, .21 in breadth, contained three times (or one-third) in the length of the 2d. General color rather dark plumbeous gray above and on the inside of wings and axillars. Beneath with the jugulum, upper part of breast, and flanks light ashy gray, passing insensibly into the almost pure white of the middle of the belly, anal region, and crissum. Tibiz plumbeous. Throat and chin white, with narrow V-shaped streaks of black on the central third of the feathers, which extend a little into the ashy of the lower throat. Loral region and space beneath the eye dusky. An indication of a white streak from the side of lower jaw, margined helow by a rather continuous line of black. Wings black, with their upper exterior exposed surface abruptly like the back, but lighter. Tail black, with a terminal patch of white on the outer feather (about 1.20), becoming less on the others, the posterior edge nearly trans- verse; the upper surface on the outer webs dark plumbeous. Bill and feet apparently bright yellow, perhaps faded from red. Bill from base of skull, 1.14; from nostril, .70; gape, 1.34; tarsi, 1.55; middle toe and claw, 1.15; claw alone, .31; wings, 5.20; tail, 5.25. The only specimen I have seen of this species is in the museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, where it is -labelled “ ZT. plumbeus, South America.” In form this speciés exhibits a close resemblance to ML. plumbea; but the colors are very different. The bill is yellow, not black, and in- stead of a uniform slaty gray over the whole body above and below, including the crissum, the middle of the belly, vent, and crissum are white. Instead of a uniform square black patch on the throat, this has white as its predominant color, with narrow central streaks of black. Vieillot figures and describes this bird quite accurately and un- mistakably, giving it as an inhabitant of the Antilles; but his accounts are evidently based on the species as observed in St. Do- mingo, and to which it may possibly be confined. The specimen belonging to the Academy has no indication of locality other than ““ Amer.-Mérid.” Vieillot gives the bill and feet as red. RAMPHOCINCLUS—MARGAROPS. 41 RAMPHOCINCLUS, Larresnaye. Ramphocinclus, Larr. R. Z. 1843, 66. (Type Turdus brachyurus, ViEtu1.) Bill longer than the head, notched; culmen and commissure considerably decurved from the base; gonys slightly so. Rictus with short bristles. Tarsus lengthened, longer than the head or the middle toe; the scutelle fused into one plate, or faintly indicated. Wings rather pointed, longer than the tail; 1st primary more than half the longest; 2d about equal to the 9th. Tail rounded, the lateral feather graduated ; the feathers generally rather narrow, with quite narrow outer web. This interesting genus is well marked among its fellows, and will readily be recognized The single species in pattern of coloration closely resembles Melanotis hypoleucus, and should perhaps be placed very near it, having sooty brown where the other has blue. It differs, however, in much more curved, and longer bill; shorter, narrower, and less rounded tail, with narrower outer webs, ete. Ramphocinclus brachyurus. Turdus brachyurus, Vietnu. Nouv. Dict. XX, 255.—Is. Encycl. Méth. 1823, 655.—Ramphocynclus brachyurus, Lark. R. Z. 1843, 66.— Scrater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 338.—Is. Catal. 1861, 7, no. 44.—Cinelo- certhia brachyura, ScuatEr, P. Z. 8. 1855, 213. Zoothera cinclops, Be. Consp. 259. Total length, 8.00; wing, 4.00; tail, 3.50; graduation, .45; outer web of lateral feathers one-fourth the inner; exposed portion of Ist primary, 1.60; of 2d, 2.50; of longest (measured from exposed base of Ist primary), 3.00; length of bill from forehead, 1.15, from nostril, .70 ; along gape, 1.34; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe and claw, 1.00; claw alone, .30; hind toe and claw, .72; claw alone, .37. 7 Smith- | Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. ean Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. Bs 32,690 46,887 | ~ Martinique. wes Ed. Verreaux. | ...... MARGAROPS, Sciater. Margarops, ScuateEr, P. Z. S. 1859, 335. (Type Turdus fuscatus, V1Er11. ) Cichlalopia, Bon. R. Z. 1857, 205, not of C. R. 1854, XXXVIII, 1 (which was based on Turdus vulpinus, Hart. =: Rhodinocincla rosea). Bill very large and stout, with a distinct notch; longer than the head ; culmen curving gently from base, and more abruptly towards tip; commis- sural edge of upper jaw also much curved, so that the whole lower jaw, except at the base, falls inside of the chord connecting the two ends of the arc. Rictal bristles short, and scant; more so than in Mimocichla. 42 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Wings rounded; the inner secondary quills apparently uncommonly long; 4th quill longest, next 3d and 5th; 2d between the 6th and 7th; Ist quill more than half the 2d, broad and rather faleate ; 2d quill .70 shorter than 4th. Tail rather shorter than wings, rounded ; the lateral feathers half an inch shorter than the central ones. Legs short and stout; tarsus barely longer than middle toe and claw; dis- tinctly scutellate over anterior half of circumference, the plates well defined, and six or seven in number; claws all very stout and much curved, almost like those of a Woodpecker; hind toe ae claw decidediy longer than the lateral. Margarops fuscatus. Turdus fuscatus, Visi.uot, Ois Am. Sept. II, 1806, 1, pl. lvii, bis. —Is. Encyclop. Méth. II, 1823, 639.— Cichlerminia fuscata, Newton, Ibis, 1859, 141, eggs, pl. xii, fig. 8 (Sta Cruz).—Cassin, Pr. A. N. 8S. 1860, 376 (St. Thomas).—Margarops fuscatus, Scuater, Pr. Z. 8. 1859, 335.—Is. Catal. 1861, 6, no. 38. Colluricincla fusca, GoutD, P. Z. 8. 1836, 6 (see Newron, Ibis, 1859, 142). Hab. St. Domingo and Porto Rico (Vieill.); St. Thomas; Santa Cruz (Newton). Length (of 30,405), 11.40; wing, 5.20; bill from head, 1.30; nostril, .78 ; gape, 1.50; tarsus, 1.41; middle toe and claw, 1.30; claw alone (chord), .35 ; hind toe and claw, .95. Iris pearly white ; bills varying much in size ; eggs blue (Newton). Smith-|Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. . 30,405 | .. a St. Thomas. Acad. Nat. Sciences. R. Swift. 30,406 | .. oe sb ee ee 14 ay e Cab. Lawrence. se OREOSCOPTES, Barrp. Oreoscoptes, Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 346. (Type Orpheus montanus, Towys.) Bill shorter than the head, without distinct notch. Bristles prominent, their tips reaching beyond the nostrils. Wings pointed, equal to, or a little longer than the tail. First quill not half the second, about two-fifths the longest ; 3d, 4th, and 5th quills equal and longest; 2d between 6th and 7th. Tail but slightly graduated ; the feathers narrow. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw by an additional claw ; scutelle distinct anteriorly. Only one species is at present known of this genus. Oreoscoptes montanus. Orpheus montanus, Townsend, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. VII, 11, 1837, 192.—Avp. Birds Amer. II, 1841, 194, pl. 139.—Turdus montanus, Avp. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 437, pl. 369, fig. 1.—Afimus montanus, HARPORHYNCHUS. 43 Bonar. Consp. 1850, 276.—Oreoscoptes montanus, Bairp, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 347.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 340.—Is. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 30. Hab. Rocky Mts. of United States, west to Pacific, south to Cape St. Lucas. Specimens from Cape St. Lucas, as usual, are smaller than more northern ones. A young bird from Ft. Bridger is precisely like the adult, differ- ing only in having the edges of the dorsal feathers lighter, causing a streaked appearance. The wings and tail are considerably darker than in an adult. Smith-|Collec- er | ea When tia sonian| tor’s | an ocality. Received from Collected b: No. No. | Age. y Collected. 7 8,251 | 218 a Fort Laramie. Sept. 28, ’57.| Dr. J.G. Cooper.| —...... 8,821 ee 9 Black Hills. wee Lt. Warren. Dr, Hayden. 11,070 nis ct Fort Bridger. Aprill8,’58.| C. Drexler, =| ...... 19,226 21 Le Rattlesnake Hills. | May 16. Capt. Reynolds. Dr. Hayden. 19,347 ie ese Willow Springs. | May 14. ee G. H. Trook, 13,309 39 Kobe Valley, Utah.| May 22, 59. | Capt. Simpson. Cc. 8. M’Carthy. 13,308 30 g 8. Fork of Hum- | May 19, *59. 4S ee 12,446 os é Zuni Mts. [boldt.| Sept. 26, 57.) Capt. Sitgreaves. Dr. Woodhouse. 11,531 68 co | Lower Colorado. bea Lt. J. C, Ives, Mollhausen. 11,532 48 cg Fort Yuma. se a 8,143 oe @ | Los Angeles. Lt. Williamson. Dr. Heermann. 8,129 ais o ne eat a ee 25,791 |3,348 é Cape St. Lucas. Nov. 5, 59. | John Xantus. | ...... 82,164 |2,429 g ad Nov. 11, 759. se eases 11,531, Iris yellow. 32,164. Length, 8.60. Iris orange. HARPORHYNCHUS, Caszanis. Toxostoma, WaGueER, Isis, 1831, 528. Toxostoma, Rar. 1816.) Harpes, GAmBEL, Pr. A. N. 8. Phila. II, 1845, 264. vivus, GamB., not of GoupFuss, 1839.) Harporhynchus, Capants, Archiv f. Naturg. 1848, 1, 98. redivivus, GAMB.) (Type J’. vetula, Wacu., not (Type Harpes redi- (Type Harpes Bill from forehead as long as, or much longer than the head; becoming more and more decurved in both jaws as lengthened. No indication of a notch. Rictus with the bristles extending beyond the nostrils. Tarsus long and stout, appreciably exceeding the middle toe and claw, strongly scutellate anteriorly. Wings considerably shorter than tail, much rounded; the Ist quill more than half the 2d; 4th or 5th longest. Tail large, much graduated ; the feathers firm. There are few genera in Ornithology where the difference in the comparative length and shape of the bill is so great in the different species; and yet the transition from the short straight form in H. rufus to the very long and much decurved one in H. redivivus is 44 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. so gentle that few persons would ever think of separating them generically. Even in individual specimens of the long billed species there is much difference in this respect, showing that so far from furnishing generic characters, it is not entirely available even for specific indications. Harporhynchus rufus. Turdus rufus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 169, based on Caressy, tab. 19.—Is. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 293.—Harporhynchus rufus, Cas. Mus. Hein. 1850, 82.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 353.—Scuarer, P. Z. 8. 1859, 340.—Is. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 48.—Mimus rufus, Pr, Max. Cab. Jour. 1858, 180. Figures: Vigriuot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lix.—Wizsow, Am. Orn. II, pl. xiv.—Auvp. Orn. Biog. pl. exvi. Hab. United States, east of Rocky Mts., north to Lake Winnipeg. In the “ Birds of North America” I have called attention to the fact of the larger size, with disproportionately longer tails, and rather more curved bills of specimens from the high plains beyond the Missouri River. Smith-|Collec-| Sex When + sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. is 1,377 o Carlisle, Pa. April 22, ’44.| S. F. Baird. S. F. Baird. 2,261 2 “ May 16, °45. “ “ 12,182 cs Washington. May 1,°59. |C. Drexler, | 3 ...... 32,284 | .. cs Macon, Ga, March, 1848.| Prof. Jos. Leconte.| = ...... 6,948 me oa Ft. Garry, Red Riv. wate Donald Gunn. sais 32,392 ao ee ee mee He el Saebiaatio 4,433 ays a. Quasquiton, Iowa. era E.C.Bidwell.[son.| —...... 13,311 8 age Fort Leavenworth. ee Capt. J. H. Simp- C. 8. M’Carthy. 8,292 a a Independence, Mo. | May 26, ’57. | W. M. Magraw. Dr. Cooper. 8,819 ave is Loup Forks. Aug. 6. Lt. Warren. Dr. Hayden. 5,283 On o Fort Lookout. June 22, '56. nl ae 5,652 | 357 a Republican Fork. |Sept. 26, 56.) Lt. Bryan. W. S. Wood. 19,346 | .. one Stinking R., Sage | June 13, '60.| Capt. Reynolds. G. H. Trook. (Creek. (1,377.) 11.20. (2,261.) 9.75. (8,292.) 12.75, Iris orange. (8,819.) 12.00, Iris yellow. Harporhynchus longirostris. Orpheus longirostris, Larr. R. Z. 1838, 55.—Is. Mag. de Zool. 1839, Ois. pl. i.—Toxostoma longirostre, Cas. Wiegm. Arch. 1847, 1, 207.— Mimus longirostris, Scuater, P. Z. S. 1856, 294 (Cordova).—Harpo- rhynchus longirostris, Cas. Mus. Hein. 1850, 81.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 352, pl. liii—Scnarer, P. Z. S. 1859, 339.—Is. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 47. Hab. Eastern Mexico; north to Rio Grande, Texas. Among the specimens before me is one (28,030) from Mirador, Mexico, which differs from the rest in rather deeper rufous above; HARPORHYNCHUS. 45 the feathers of crissum rufous, edged with pale brownish-yellow (instead of their being dirty white). The bill is very different, being longer, slenderer, more pointed towards the end, and more gently decurved than that of H. curvirostris. Its dimensions are as follows: From forehead, 1.40; from gape, 1.52; from nostril, 1.00, measured with dividers. In 4,016, from Brownsville, the measurements are: From forehead, 1.25; from gape, 1.32; from nostril, .83. Without more specimens to establish a permanent difference in these respects, I do not feel at liberty to suggest a difference of species, especially as the skin referred to belongs to the region in- habited by typical Z. longirostris. Smith- | Collec-] Sex Wh sonian | tor’s | and Locality. Coll Sad Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. OP PECEOR 4,016 l/l ¢ Brownsville, Tex. as. Lt. D. N. Couch. | —........ 8,139] .. ts Lower Rio Grande.) Sept. 1853. | Major Emory. A. Schott. 22,390| 29,742 | of Mexico. 86 Verreaux, | we... 32,460 93 | .. Orizaba, Mex. ane Prof.Sumichrast.{| = ...... ? 28,030 30] .. El Mirador, Mex. aa Dr. C. Sartorius. | sss eee oa 20 Xalapa. aa Cab. Lawrence. D'0ca. (4,016.) 10.25. Eyes brownish-yellow. (28,030.) Long billed variety. Harporhynchus curvirostris. Orpheus curvirostris, Swainson, Philos. Mag. 1827, 369 (eastern Mexico). —M’Catt, Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 1848, 63.—Mimus curvirostris, Gray, Genera, 1844-49. — Toxostoma curvirostris, BonaP. Conspectus, 1850, 277.—Scuarer, P. Z. 8. 1857, 212. —Harporhynchus curvirostris, Cas. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 81.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 351, pl. li.imHeermann, P. R. R. Rep. X, Parke’s Rep. 1859, 11.—Scuarter, P. Z. 8. 1859, 339.—Is. Catal. 1861, 7, no. 46. Pomatorhinus turdinus, Tamm. H. Col. 441, ? Toxostoma vetula, WaAGLER, Isis, 1831, 528. Hab. Mexico, from the United States line, southward (Oaxaca, Cordova, Orizaba, Mirador) ; Mazatlan; Colima. Specimens from Mazatlan and Colima differ from those in the col- lection from eastern Mexico, in having heavier and thicker bills, and perhaps stouter legs. In 31,819, the height of the bill at the nostrils is .28 of an inch, while in 4,023 it is .26—both being females. The wing in 31,819 is longer and more pointed than usual, measuring 4.50. I, however, cannot think that there is any specific difference : a large number of specimens from either side of Mexico probably exhibiting the same variations. The specimen, No. 8,128, mentioned on page 352 of the Report 46 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. on Birds as differing from the others in the collection, still remains quite unique in reference to some characters. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian{ tor’s | and Locality. sores No. No. |Age. : Received from Collected by 4,023 24] 2 | Brownsville, Tex. | Feb. 1853. | Lt.D.N. Couch. | — ...... 7,200 a od | Ringgold Barracks, Tex. one Maj. W.H.Emory.| J. H. Clark. 7,101 ie .. | Eagle Pass, Tex. sae ee A. Schott. 4.022 até 2 | Tamaulipas, Mex. 1853. Lt. Couch, = || —_aaeeee ? 8,128 a .. | New Mexico. &. Lt. J. G. Parke. Dr. Heermann. 23,783 o -. | Mazatlan, Mex. 1861. J. Xantus. e ‘3 31,819 | 1,001 | Q | Mts. of Colima. June, 1863. i 18.568 os Eastern Mexico. eee P. L. Sclater. 22,391 |17,363 a or Verreaux. is 19 Orizaba, Mex. ones Cab. Lawrence. (4,023. ) 10.00. (7,200.) 11.50. (4,022.) 10.00. Eyes yellow. (31,819.) 11.00. Iris orange. Harporhynchus cinereus. Harporhynchus cinereus, Xantus, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1859, 298.—Bairp, ib. 303.—ScuiateR, Catal. 161, 8, no. 49. 12,960. Bill as long as the head ; all the lateral outlines gently decurved from the base. Bristles not very conspicuous, but reaching to the nostrils. Wings considerably shorter than the tail, much rounded. First primary broad, nearly half the length of the 2d; the 3d to the 7th quills nearly equal, their tips forming the outline of a gentle curve; the 2d quill shorter than the 9th. Tail considerably graduated, the lateral feathers more than an inch the shorter. Legs stout; tarsi longer than middle toe, distinctly scutellate, with seven scales. Above ashy brown, with perhaps a tinge of rusty on the rump; beneath fulvous white, more fulvous on the flanks, inside of wing, and crissum. Be- neath, except chin, throat, and from middle of abdomen to crissum, with well defined V-shaped spots of dark brown at the ends of the feathers, largest across the breast. Loral region hoary. Wings with two narrow whitish bands across the tips of greater and middle coverts; the quills edged ex- ternally with paler. Outer three tail feathers with a rather obsolete white patch in the end of inner web, and across the tips of the outer. Spring specimens are of rather purer white beneath, with the spots more distinct than as described. Length of 12,960 (skin), 10.00; wing, 4.10; tail, 4.65; Ist primary, 1.60; 2d, 2.50; bill from gape, 1.40, from above, 1.15, from nostril, .90; tarsus, 1.26; middle:toe and claw, 1.12; claw alone, .30. This species is curiously similar in coloration to Oreoscoptes mon- tanus, from which its much larger size, much longer and decurved bill, and the graduated tail, of course readily distinguish it. It agrees in some respects with H. rufus and longirostris, but it is smaller, the bill longer and more curved; the upper parts are ashy olivaceous brown instead of rufous, ete. HARPORHYNCHUS. 47 Smith-|Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor's | and Locality. Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. Collected. 16,511 | 1,090 | 9? Cape St. Lucas, 1859. J.Xantus. [| ss... 12,957 496 | S cr Sasa esata 13,090 | 764] ¢ “ be eerste 26,310 | 1,089 | ¢ “ Spring, '59. I hatte (12,957.) 10.50. Iris orange, (13,090.) 11.00. Iris orange. Harporhynchus lecontei. Toxostoma lecontei, Lawr. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, Sept. 1851, 109 (Fort Yuma).—Harporhynchus lecontci, Bonar. C. R. XXVIII, 1854, 57.— Is. Notes Delattre, 39.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 350, pl. 1. Hab. Gila River; Fort Yuma. The specimen upon which the species was based by Mr. Lawrence, collected at Fort Yuma, by Dr. Leconte, still remains unique, and of H. crissalis a second specimen only has been obtained. It is not a little remarkable that two species so large and conspicuous should be both from the same region, and so very rare. With much the same shade of coloration, H. crissalis is a little darker, the under tail coverts deep chestnut instead of rusty fulvous; the bill is much longer and more slender, the tail also much longer. No. 53. Fort Yuma. Cab. of Geo. N. Lawrence. Harporhynchus crissalis. Harporhynchus crissalis, Henry, Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 1858.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 350, pl. lxxxii. Hab. Region of the Gila River, to Rocky Mts. A second specimen (11,533) of this rare species is larger than the type, but otherwise agrees with it. Its dimensions are as follows :— Length before skinning, 12.50; of skin, 12.50; wing, 3.90; tail, 6.50; its graduation, 1.45; 1st quill, 1.50; 2d, .41; bill from forehead (chord of curve), 1.65, from gape, 1.75, from nostril, 1.30; curve of culmen, 1.62; height of pill at nostril, .22; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe and claw, 1.12. The bill of this species, though not quite so iong as in redivivus, when most developed, is almost as much curved, and much more stender—the depth at nostrils being but .22, instead of .26. The size of this specimen is equal to the largest of redivivus (3,932) ; the tail absolutely longer. The feet are, however, considerably smaller, the claws especially so; the tarsus measures but 1.30, instead of 1.52; the middle claw .29, instead of .36. With these differences in form, however, it would be impossible to separate the two generically. 48 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Smith-|Collec-| Sex : sonian| tor’s | and Locality. peony Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. 8,127 ae oi Mimbres. Dr. T. C. Henry. seeeee 11,533 32 od Fort Yuma, Cal. Lt. J. C. Ives. H. B. Millhausen, 8,127. Type; now in museum Phila. Acad. (11,533.) 12.50. Iris yellow. Harporhynchus redivivus. Harpes rediviva, GampBet, Pr. A. N. S. II, Aug. 1845, 264.—Toxostoma rediviva, GamBeL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d ser. I, 1847, 42.—Cassin, Illust. I, 1855, 260, pl. xliii—Harporhynchus redivivus, CaBanis, Archiv Naturg. 1848, 98.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 349.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 339. This species has hitherto only been found in the coast region of California, whence numerous specimens have been received by the Smithsonian Institution. MIMUS, Botz. Mimus, Bors, Isis, Oct. 1826, 972. (Type Turdus polyglottus, Linn.) Orpheus, Swatnson, Zool. Jour. III, 1827, 167. (Same type.) Bill not much more than half the length of the head ; gently decurved from the base; notched at tip; commissure curved. Gonys straight, or slightly concave. Rictal bristles quite well developed. Wings rather shorter than the tail. First primary about equal to, or rather more than half the 2d; 3d, 4th, and 5th quills nearly equal, 6th scarcely shorter. Tail considerably graduated ; the feathers stiff, rather narrow, especially the outer webs, lateral feathers about three-quarters of an inch the shorter inthe type. Tarsi longer than middle toe and claw by rather less than an additional claw; tarsi con- spicuously and strongly scutellate; broad plates seven. Mimus polyglottus. Turdus polyglottus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. 1758, 169; 12th ed. 1766, 293.—Mimus polyglottus, Boi, Isis, 1826, 972.—Scuater, P. Z. S. 1856, 212.—Is. 1859, 340.— Is. Catal. 1861, 8, no. 51.— Barro, Birds N. Am. 1858, 344. ? Orpheus leucopterus, Vicors, Zool. Beechey, 1839. Figures: Witsoy, Am. Orn. II, 1810, pl. x, fig. 1.—Avp. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, pl. xxi.—In, Birds Amer. II, 1841, pl. 137. Hab. North America, from about 40° (rare in Massachusetts, Samuels), south to Mexico. Said to occur in Cuba, No. 12,511. ‘The general proportions will best be illustrated by the table of measurements. The 3d and 4th quills are longest; the 2d equal to the 8th; the Ist more than half the 2d (in some specimens about half, iu others half the 3d, as in No. 614.) MIMUS. 49 The upper parts are ashy, with a tinge of brown, the color purest on top of head. The lores are dusky. The under parts are white, purest on throat and middle of belly; a tinge of ashy across the breast, of yellowish-brown or faint fulvous on flanks and crissum. There are some obscure shaft streaky of brown on the flanks, mostly concealed under the wings. There is a slight indication of a dusky stripe on each side of the chin, caused by a range of short black bristles, the feathers themselves not appearing to be colored. The wings and tail are dark brown, not black; the large feathers edged externally with ashy. There are two bands of white on the wing on the tips of the greater and middle coverts ; the ends of the secondaries are also edged with white. In addition to this the basal portion of all the primaries is white, restricted to the extreme base in the outer ones, and encroaching suc- cessively in the rest until in the three innermost ones it occupies the basal two-thirds of the feather, or more, extending farthest forward on the inner web, the shafts remaining black. The small coverts overlying the bases of the primaries are also white, with a brown streak near the ends; this forms a conspicuous white patch on the outer surface of the wing. The outer tail feather is white, slightly mottled in one or two places with brown, especially along the shaft near~the end, and towards the base of the inner web. The next feather is white at the extreme base, and for about the terminal third of the inner web, and the end of the outer web. The third has a similar but much smaller patch of white along the middle of the inner web near the end; the fourth has no white. The bill and legs are black. The markings of the wings are as described in most specimens, although in some the amount of white is less. There is, however, considerable differ- ence in the white of the tail feathers. In a small proportion only of the whole number examined from eastern North America, is the outer feather pure white, and again sometimes the faint mottling on the inner web near the middle web becomes a conspicuous dusky patch. In several specimens the whole inner web of the second feather is white, with slight mottling along a portion of the inner edge (32,162). In 12,445 the white spot in the end of the 3d feather extends along the inner side of the shaft into a patch at the base. In this specimen the outer feather is entirely white; the whole inner web and the basal portion of the outer web of the second. .In all the speci- mens before me the outer web of the second tail feather is black, except at the extreme base and tip. In none is there any white on the fourth feather.' No. 12,511. Length, 9.00; wing, 4.10; tail, 4.90, its graduation, .70; Ist primary, 1.50; 2d primary, 2.70; bill from above, .63, from nostril, .50; tarsus, 1.25; middle toe and claw, 1.00; claw, .30. ' Since writing the preceding description, I have met with one specimen (19,089, male, from Arkansas) which differs very considerably from any other I have seen in an unusual amount of white, which extends farther along the primaries so as to be very conspicuous. The two outer tail feathers are entirely white, except a slight edging at the end of the second; the third is white on the shaft and along the greater part of the inner web. The fourth has a small white patch on the end. The dimensions are: Length, 10.00; wing, 4.70; tail, 5.00. 4 July, 1864. 50 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. I have not had an opportunity of examining the supposed Jf polyglottus of Cuba. If, however, the description of Orpheus poly- glottus, in De la Sagra’s Cuba (Oiseaux, 53), be correctly drawn from a Cuban specimen, it may very readily be different, as the North American bird can certainly not be said to have the tail brown with a white spot towards the extremity of the lateral tail feathers, nor is there any white on the secondary quills. The rump cannot be called grayish-blue, in contrast with a pale grayish-brown of the remaining upper parts. Mr. Richard Hill, in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Aca- demy, has suggested the idea that the name of polyglottus should be applied to the Jamaican rather than to the North American bird. The first citation of Linneus is to Sloane’s Jamaica, the second to Catesby, and the third to Kalm. As, however, the only locality given by Linneus is “ Virginia,” and no mention is made of Jamaica; and as his next species is the Jamaican orpheus, it will perhaps be no violation of the most rigid rules of nomenclature to pass over the citation of Sloane as irrelevant, and confine the reference strictly to the continental species. The Turdus orpheus, of Linneus, is based on the species of Brown and Edwards, both unmistakably the small Jamaican bird, and not the larger, MW. Ailliz, as intimated by Mr. Hill. In the “ Birds of North America” I have adverted to the peculi- arities of western specimens in having a longer tail than eastern. The tail is more graduated also, the lateral feathers being 1.25 inches or more shorter than the central. The whole bird, in fact, is larger ; the wings being also longer, but the disproportionate length of the tail is quite decided. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Cc a Hen Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. m 12,443 as ¢ | Pennsylvania. isi Nat. Institute. Dr. G. Leib. “ 12,545 ae co | Washington, D.C. wis J. F. Callan. 19,089 57 o | Fort Cobb. May 24, ’60.| J. H. Clark, Cc. S. M’Carthy. 19,091 | 141 +» | Adaline Creek June 18, *60. Me re 20,295 48 +» | Fort Stockton, Tex. | May 26,°60. | P. Duffy. 20,296 4 . oe Mar. 12, *60. Be 11,530 61 +» | Big Cation, Col. Riv. iat Lt. J. C. Ives. 17,120 eis +» | Cape St. Lucas, 1859. John Xantus. 17,445 |8,317 cs fe Oct, 31, ’59. ee 23,750 W. coast America. Sek Nat. Institute. 23,913 | 98 | :. | El Mirador, Mex. i s Dr. C. Sartorius. ” 33,570 | 153 2 “ Nov. 1863. 19,089. Unusual amount of white on wings and tail. Mimus orpheus. Turdus orpheus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. I, 1758, 169.—Is. 12th ed. 1766.—Vizituor, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 12, pl. lxviii.—Gossz, MIMUS. 51 Birds Jam. 1846, 144.—Mimus orpheus, Scuatsr, P. Z. S. 1859, 341. —Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 9, no. 52.—Mancu, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1863, 290 (eggs). Mimus polyglottus, Hit, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1853, 304. Turdus sp. 2, Browne, Nat. Hist. Jam. 1756, 469 (Jamaica). Turdus cinereus minor, Epwarps, Av. Il, tab. lxxviii (Jamaica).—SELic- many, IV, pl. li. 2? Turdus dominicus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 12th ed. I, 1766, 295 (based on Merula dominicensis, Brisson, St. Domingo). Hab. Jamaica; St. Domingo? (No. 22,159.) In form, size, and coloration this species is exceedingly similar to M. polyglottus; the only marked difference in shape being an apparently more graduated tail than in the eastern specimens of the latter—the differ- ences between the lateral and central feathers amounting to from one inch to one anda quarter. The differences in coloration between the two are much as if an additional tail feather entirely white had been provided for M. orpheus, the 2d, 3d, and 4th feathers being marked as the Ist, 2d, and 3d in MM. poly- glottus. There are the same variations in markings in the corresponding feathers of these two series in both species. The two outer feathers are usu- ally entirely white; the 2d sometimes a little streaked; the 3d sometimes entirely white, always so on the inner web, generally partially so on the outer. The 4th has sometimes the whole inner web white ; sometimes this is restricted toa patch towards its end. There is a very small spot of white on the end of the fifth feather. The under parts are of a purer white than in polyglottus, and the ash of the breast is less distinct. The loral region also is conspicuously whiter. The two species can, however, at once be distinguished by the dusky outer web of the second tail feather in polyglottus, which is entirely white in orpheus. Length, 9.90; wing, 4.35; tail, 5.20; bill from nostril, 1.00; tarsus, 1.25. This species can hardly be considered as less in size than poly- glottus; indeed, the measurements of the specimen selected fcr de- scription are larger than those of the type of my description of the eastern variety of polyglottus. I have, in fact, not met with a skin so small as that described by Dr. Sclater. I have never seen a specimen of I. dominicus, from St. Domingo, and can express no opinion as to its relationships to I. orpheus. It is described as having the outer three tail feathers white as in orpheus. Smith-|Collec-] Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. . 22,156 es .. |Spanishtown, Jam. Ses W. T. March. 22,157 os o ne aad ne 22158 | .. | .. “ ce “ 24,374 30 d gi Oct. 10, 61. ee 94,375 30 9g “cc rT “c 52 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [part 1 Mimus bahamensis, Bryant. Mimus bahamensis, Bryant, Pr. Bost. Soc. VII, Sept. 1859, 114. Bill shorter than head. Rictal bristles reaching rather beyond the nostrils. Curvature of commissure gentle from base to near the notched tip, where it is increased. First primary large, rather falcate, just half the 2d; 4th quill longest ; 3d and then 5th but little shorter ; 2a intermediate between 7th and 8th, half an inch less than the longest. Tarsi distinctly scutellate ; plates seven. Tail moderately graduated (.70). Color above brownish-gray, each feather showing a brown centre, and gray- ish or ashy edges less distinct aud more soiled on the lower part of the back. Beneath soiled grayish-white, the breast more gray, the feathers being ashy with lighter tips. The feathers of under parts with brown shaft-streaks, want- ing on the throat and middle of the belly, partially concealed across the breast, more evident on the sides of belly, and broad and conspicuous under the wings, where the axillars are similarly streaked. Wing feathers brown, all margined with pale ashy; the greater and middle coverts with white, forming two bands. Tail feathers ashy above, suffused with brownish towards the borders, and edged with whitish. All have a whitish patch at end, on the inner web, and on the extreme tip of outer. This white is about half an inch long on the outer feather, a little less on the rest. Bill and legs black. There is an obscure dusky line on each side of the throat; the ear coverts are dusky; the space between bill and eye is grayish-white. The whitish feathers of the cheeks are edged with dusky at the tips. Length, 11.00; wing, 4.80; tail, 5.70; graduation, .70; 1st quill, 1.70; 2d, 3.28; bill above, 1.10; from nostril, .72; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe and claw, 1.34: claw, .35; hind toe and claw, .85; claw alone, .50. Smith-|Collec-| Sex 2 c When - sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Received from Collected b: No. No. | Age. Collected. y 13,505 | .. |. Bahama Key. | 1859. Dr. H. Bryant. | sess. 13,505. Type. Mimus hillii. Mimus hillii, Marcu, Pr. A. N. Sc. Nov. 1863, 291 (Jamaica). Mimus orpheus, Huu, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1863, 304. (No, 24,376.) General form and characters as in M]. bahamensis. Fifth quill longest; 4th and 6th a little shorter, then 3d; 2d shorter than 8th, about equal to the 9th, .65 shorter than the longest. Tail considerably graduated. In some specimens the 3d quill is a little longer than the 8th; in all it is shorter than the 7th. The colors are as described in M. bahamensis. The only appreciable differ- evce is in the purer white of the under parts, and especially across the breast, where the feathers are of the same soiled white to their plumbeous bases, or for half the length, instead of being ashy to the scarcely appreciable lighter edges. There are no faint dusky shaft streaks on the feathers in front of the MIMUS. 53 jugulum, the shafts being white; on its sides alone are there indications of these, which on the sides of the breast and belly become more distinct than in M. bakamensis, owing to the purer white of the under parts. There is rather more white on the end of the tail feathers, this covering .70 in the outer one. An immature specimen (26,802) is similar to the adults, but has a little more white on the end of the tail, and the feathers of the breast and jugulum show triangular spots of brown at the ends. Length (of 24,376), 11.75; wing, 4.90; tail, 6.30; graduation, 1.00; Ist quill, 1.50; 2d quill, 3.00; bill from nostril, .70; tarsus, 1.51; middle toe and claw, 1.22; claw, .35. This species is very closely related to the I. bahamensis, but appears to differ in some appreciable features. The distinction in coloration has already been adverted to. It is a larger species, and the tail is more graduated—the difference in length between the lateral and middle feathers being 1.00 instead of .70. The wings are more rounded ; the 5th quill longest instead of the 4th; the 2d shorter than the 8th, instead of longer. A larger series of specimens of VM. bahamensis will perhaps be necessary fully to ascertain the relationships between the Bahaman and Jamaican birds, and prove whether they be really distinct or not. How they stand in reference to I. gundlachi, of Cuba, it is-even more difficult to determine, as our only guide is the brief comparison by Cabanis of his species with IZ. saturninus of Brazil. To this, however, there is very little resemblance on the part of the Jamaican and Bahaman birds, as shown by comparing them with a specimen presented by the Berlin Museum. Cabanis speaks of the white tip of the tail feathers being but 3-4 lines long in gundlachi ; in the others it is from one-half to three-quarters of an inch, Of the South American Mimi in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, the relationship is closest to M. thenca, of Chile, much more than to saturninus. Mr. Hill thinks that this species is the Turdus orpheus of Linnezus. A careful examination, however, of the descriptions of Brown and Edwards, upon which the species was founded, will, I think, show conclusively that both authors had in view the small Mocking bird of Jamaica, rather than the large one. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. eens Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. : 24,376 29 cs Port Henderson, Nov. 29, °61.| W. T. March. 24,377 29 9 (Jam. te cs 26,804 29 ov ss Oct. 1862. i 26,802 29 |Juv.9)] G. Salt Pond, Jam.| Nov. 1, '62. a 26, 803 oe og fe Oct. 31, ’62. Wee) ae axe 54 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART 1 Mimus gracilis. Mimus gracilis, Cananis, Mus. Hein. 1850, 83 (Honduras).—Scuarer & Saxvin, Ibis, 1859, 5.—Scater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 343.—Is. Catal. 1861, 9, no. 58.—Cas. Jour. 1860, 410 (Costa Rica).—Tayxor, Ibis, 1860, 110 (Comayagua). Hab. Honduras, Guatemala; Costa Rica. Smith-|Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected. Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. 30,651 | 43 .. |San Geronimo, Guat.| Dec. 1859. O.Salvine | os... GALEOSCOPTES, Cazanis. Galeoscoptes, Cananis, Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 82. (Type Muscicapa carolinensis, L.) Bill shorter than the head, rather broad at base. Rictal bristles moderately developed, reaching to the nostrils. Wings a little shorter than the tail, rounded ; secondaries well developed ; 4th and 5th quills longest ; 3d and 6th little shorter; Ist and 9th about equal, and about the length of secondaries ; Ist quill more than half the second, about half the 3d. Tail graduated ; lateral feather about .70 shorter than the middle. Tarsi longer than middle toe and claw by about an additional half claw; scutellate anteriorly, more or less distinctly in different specimens ; scutelle about seven. The conspicuous naked membranous border round the eye of some Thrushes, with the bare space behind it; not appreciable. I find little difference in form between the single species of Galeo- scopies and Mimus polyglottus, beyond the less degree of definition of the tarsal plates; and but for the difference in coloration (uniform plumbeous instead of gray above and white beneath), would hardly be inclinéd to distinguish the two generically. Galeoscoptes carolinensis. Muscicapa carolinensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 328.—Turdus caro- “linensis, Licut. Verz. 1823, 38.—D’Orsieny, La Sagra’s Cuba Ois. 1840, 51.—Mimus carolinensis, Gray, Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1859, 346.— Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Cab. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 82 (type of genus). —Is. Jour. Orn. 1855, 470 (Cuba). —Scuater, Catal. Birds, 1861, 6, no. 39. Figures: Avp. B. A. II, pl. 140.—In. Orn. Biog. II, pl. 28.—Vieitot, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. lxvii.—Wizson, Am. Orn. II, pl. xiv, f. 3. Hab. United States, north to Lake Winnipeg, west to head of Columbia, south to Panama R. R.; Cuba. In some specimens there is a tendency to obsolete narrow trans- verse bars at the ends of the outer tail feathers. The shade of colora- GALEOSCOPTES—MELANOPTILA. 55 tion varies somewhat. Rocky Mountain specimens appear a little larger than others. The smallest is 29,222, from Orizaba; in this the wing measures 3.40, the tail 3.80. A female, 10,352, from Florida, is also very small. There is considerable difference in the length and thickness of the bill in different specimens. In some specimens the tarsal scutelle are perfectly well defined, in others indistinct on the sides of the tarsus. Smith ‘6 11 S mith- Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Gens Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. 7 1,123 Pr 3 |Carlisle. Pa, July 15, 43.) S. F. Baird. 10,352 “ 2 |Indian Key, Fla. Jan, 12, G. Wurdemann. 11,888 eat Q |Tortugas, Fla. er Capt. Woodbury. 13,137 6 o | Fort Garry, Red Riv. Seats Cc. A. Hubbard. 18,506 32 oe ts July 10. Donald Gunn. 13,306 By .. |Leavenworth, Mo. | May 16. Capt. J. H. Simp- 5,285 oe do | Ft.Lookout, Mo. Riv.| June 4, '56. | Lt. Warren. (son.| Dr. Hayden. 22,045 | 120 .. {Coeur d’Alene Mis'n. ies Dr. J.G.Cooper.| —.... 21,960 | 481 o |Sinyakwateen De- pot, W. T. June 27, °60.! A. Campbell. 21,961 | 566 od |Campon KootenayR.| July 28, ’60. ee 21,962 | 567 | .. ee “ fi 33,170 | 11 .. |Nassau, N. P. April 22,’64.| Lt. Fitzgerald. 29,631 ds «. [Cuba. aia C. Wright. 30,868 | 76 .. |El Mirador, Mex. anata Dr. C. Sartorius. 29,222 ; 300 .. |Ovizaba, Mex. [jole. out Prof. Sumichrast. 16,838 os .. |Panama R. R. Fri- cinta J. M’Leannan. Ss 15 .. | Guatemala. sis Cab. Lawrence. (1,123.) 9; 11.60; 3.50, (10,352) 8.25. (11,888.) 8.50. (13,137.) With eggs, 2,258. (5,285.) Eyes brown. MELANOPTILA, ScuarTer. Melanoptila, Scuarer, P. Z. S. 1857, 275. (Type M. glabrirostris.) As there is but a single known species of this genus, I give the generic characters with the specific. Melanoptila glabrirostris. Melanoptila glabrirostris, Scuater, P. Z. S. 1857, 275 (Omoa, Honduras, with figure of head and wing).—Is. 1859, 337.—Is. Catal. Am. Birds, 1861, 7, no. 41.—Scrarer & Sauviy, Ibis, I, 1859, 7. Hab. Honduras. Bill shorter than the head; quite similar in shape to that of Mimus caro- linensis, but apparently without any trace of rictal bristles (the specimen before me has the tip broken so that I am unable to speak as to the notch). Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe and claw, scutellate on the anterior half, though not very distinctly ; claws rather weak. Wings broad, much rounded, a little shorter than the tail; secondaries elongated, longer than the 2d quill; 5th and 6th quills longest, forming the middle of a gentle curve with the 3d and 4th on one side; the 7th and 8th on the other; 2d quill shorter than the 9th, and rather less than secondaries ; 56 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [paRT I. Ist quill rather more than half the 2d. Tail rather broad, graduated; the lateral feather .60 shorter than the central; the feathers rather soft and broader than usual on the outer webs. Color glossy black; wings and tail with a greenish lustre; rest of body glossed with steel blue. Bill and legs black. Length, 7.60; wing, 3.55; tail, 3.90; gape, .87; tarsus, 1.05; middle toe and claw, .92. Smith-|Collec-} Sex sonia tors and Locality. When Received from Collected by Collected. No. No. | Age. 30,652 | 33 -. | Half Moon Key, Br. | May 10, ’62. | O. Salvin. Salvin & Godman. (Honduras. MELANOTIS, Bonar. Melanotis, Bonar. Conspectus, I, 1850, 276. (Type Orpheus czrulescens, Sw.) Bill elongated, rather slender, compressed, as long as the head. Commissure nearly straight to the decurved, notched tip. Rictal feathers moderate, reaching to the nostrils. Wings decidedly shorter than the tail; 4th and 5th quills longest ; 6th and 7th a little shorter than the 3d; 2d shorter than the secondaries; nearly as much shorter than the 4th as it is longer than the lst; 1st quill two-thirds the 2d, half as long as the longest. Tail long, broad, and graduated; the feathers soft, with outer webs unusually broad, as in Melanoptila; lateral feathers 1.25 less than the central. Legs rather weak, but the tarsus longer than middle toe; distinctly scutel- late on anterior half, with seven broad scutelle. Claws strong, and well curved. The type of the genus is the Orpheus czrulescens of Swainson: The second assigned species, M. hypoleucus, differs somewhat in form. The bill is shorter and less attenuated ; the wing apparently shorter and more concave; the legs and the claws are stouter, and the tarsus is but little longer than the middle toe and claw. Both species are slaty blue, with the side of the head black. In cxrulescens the blue extends over the inferior surface, which in hypoleucus is white with the exception of the blue crissum. Melanotis cserulescens. Orpheus cxrulescens, Swainson, Phil. Mag. 1827, 369 (Mexico).—Mimus cerulescens, Scuaver, P. Z. S. 1856, 294.—Melanotis cerulescens, Bonar. Consp. 1850, 276.—Scuarer, P. Z. S. 1859, 337 (Cordova, 370; Oaxaca).—Is. Catal. 1861, 7, no. 42. ? Turdus erythrophthalmus, Licut. Preis-Verzeich. 1830, no. 83, Turdus melanotis, Temm. Pl. Col. 498. Hab. Mexico generally. MELANOTIS—DONACOBIUS. 57 Measurement (26,374). Length, 10.75; wing, 4.80; tail, 5.40; bill from gape, 1.35; nostril, .70; tarsus, 1.18 ; middle toe and claw, 1.10; claw alone, .30. Smith-|Collec-) Sex Wh sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Coll fad Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. ollecteds 26,374 i se Xalapa. John Krider. D'Oca. 29,554 | 4,282 ids Mexico. Berlin Museum. . oe 29,719 is a a De Saussure. 28,031 35 a Mirador, Mex. sae Dr, C. Sartorius. 29,355 99 c Colima, Mex, Jan. 1863. | J. Xantus. 30,135 | 151 cs a Feb. 1863. as 34,013 | 183 2 Mazatlan, June, 1862. | A. J. Grayson. 34,014 | 184 c ee + 17 ss Xalapa. Cab. Lawrence. D’0ca (29,355.) Length, 10. Iris brown. (30,135.) Length, 10.50. Iris brown. Melanotis hypoleucus. Melanotis hypoleucus, Harruavs, R. Z. Oct. 1852, 460.—Is. Jour. f. Ornith. 1853, 30.—Sciarer & Savin, Ibis, I, 1859, 7 (eggs).—Is. II, 1860, 29.—Scuater, P. Z. S. 1859, 337.—Is. Catal. 1861, 7, no. 43. Hab. Guatemala. Total length, 10.00; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.90; difference of tail feathers, 1.25; exposed portion of Ist primary, 1.50; of 2d, 2.40; length of bill from forehead, 1.15, from nostril, .68; along gape, 1.32; tarsus, 1.26; middle toe and claw, 1.10; claw alone, .30; hind toe and claw, .75; claw alone, .37. Smith-|Collec-| Sex When sonian; tor’s | and Locality. Collected. Received from Collected by No. No. Age. = 20,395 | 373 Coban, Vera Paz. O.Salvine | — .....e 16,843 +. Guatemala. J.Gould. fae ee 5 18 ‘ Cab. Lawrence. | —...... DONACOBIUS, Swainson. Donacobius, Swainson, Class. Birds, II, 1831, 236. (Type D. vociferans, Sw. = Turdus atricapillus, L.) Bill as long as head, notched. Bristles distinct, reaching to nostrils. Nasal groove broad, filled by a plane, tense, naked, thin edged membrane; the nostrils pervious, occupying the anterior extremity of the groove, bordered behind only by membrane ; broadly oval, the axis rather oblique. A large, bare naked space on each side the neck. Wings shorter than the much graduated tail. First primary about half the longest (fifth); 2d shorter than the secondaries. Tail feathers broad ; outer webs of lateral feathers having their outer webs half as wide as the inner. Graduation excessive ; outey feather about half the middle. Tarsi little longer than middle toe and claw, with six scutelle anteriorly fused into a continuous ungrooved plate on the outer side. Claws lengthened, moderately curved. Inner toe cleft to base. 58 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [paRT I. Total length, 8.00; wing, 3.30; tail, 4.20; graduation, 2.00; exposed por- tion of 1st primary, 1.27, of 2d, 1.90, of longest (measured from exposed base of 1st primary), 2.45; length of bill from forehead, 1.05, from nostril, .63; along gape, 1.26; tarsus, 1.32; middle toe and claw, 1.10; claw alone, .37; hind toe and claw, .90; claw alone, .43. The genus Donacobius has been variously placed by authors, by some among the Thrushes, by others among the Wrens. The notched bill, the bristled rictus, and above all the deeply parted toes, with the general coloration, appear however decidedly opposed to the latter view of its affinities; and I have accordingly inserted it here. It is a very strongly marked genus, and the only one of the family without any representatives in Northern or Middle America.? Having thus enumerated the species of Turdidz from the region embraced in the present work, which I have had the opportunity of examining in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, or else- where, I proceed to mention the remaining species which have been given by other authors. The names used are generally those of Dr. Sclater’s Catalogue of American Birds, where the precise synonymy will be found :— Turdus pinicola, Sctarer, Catal. 1861, 6, no. 36. Xalapa. plebeius, Casanis, Jour. 1860, 323. Costa Rica. nigrescens, Cas. Jour. 1860, 325. Costa Rica. ' Most authors admit of but one species in the genus Donacobius, placing the Bolivian D. albo-vittatus, of D’Orbigny, as a synonym of D. atricapillus. Specimens in the Smithsonian collection, however, seem to indicate a decided difference in the much larger size of the Bolivian bird (length, 9.00; wing, 3.50; tail, 4.50—instead of 8.25; 3.20; 4.00). There is also a very con- spicuous and distinct white stripe from the upper edge of the eye along the side of the head to the nape. This stripe is only faintly indicated, generally not at all in the atricapillus. The synonomy will be as follows :— 1. Donacobius atricapillus. Hab. Eastern South America. Turdus atricapillus, Linn. 8. N. I, 295.—Donacobius atricapillus, Bon. Consp. 277.—BourMzisrEr, Th. Bras. Aves, II, 129. Turdus and Donacobius brasiliensis, vociferans, etc. Fig.: Swainson, Zool. Ill. n. s. pl. xxvii. Specimens from Brazil. 2. Donacobius albo-vittatus. Hab. Bolivia. Donacobius albo-vittatus, D’OrB. Mag. de Zool. 1837, 19. Donacobius albo-lineatus, D’OrB. Voyage, IX, Atlas Zoologique, 1847 pl. xii.—Bon. Notes Delattre, 1854, 40. Specimens Nos. 16,832, 16,833. Bolivia, W. Evans. ‘ CINCLUS. 59 Margarops densirostris (Vier. ), Scrarer, P. Z. 8. 1859, 336. Guada- loupe and Martinique. montanus (Larr.), Scu. P. Z. 8. 1859, 336. Guadaloupe. Cichlerminia bonapartii (Larr.), Scrarer, P. Z. S. 1859, 335. Guadaloupe. Cinclocerthia ruficauda (Gouin), Scuatzr, Catal. 1861, 7, no. 45. Guadaloupe. gutturalis, Sciater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 358. Martinique. Mimus dominicus, Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 341. St. Domingo. gunadlachi (Cas.), Scrater, P. Z. 8. 1859, 342, Cuba. Harporhynchus ocellatus, Scuater, Catal. 1862, 358, no. 49. Oax- aca, Mex. The following species are mentioned as occurring in Tobago and Trinidad. All of them are in the collection of the Institution from South America :— Turdus phzopysgus, Scrarer, Catal, 1861,3. Tobago; Venezuela, etc. symnophthalmus (Caz.), Scr. Catal. 1861, 4. Tobago; Venezuela, etc. xanthoscelis, Jarpinz, Scu. Catal. 1861, 5. aba (Bogota, Verreauz). Mimus melanopterus, Lawn. Sct. Catal. 1861, 9. Trinidad ; Venezuela. Famity CINCLIDA. CINCLUS, Becusr. Cinclus, Becust. “Gemein. Naturg. 1802.” (Type Sturnus cinclus, L.) Hydrobata, Viztut. Analyse, 1816.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 229.' There are three well marked species of this genus in America: one entirely dusky (C. mexicanus); one dusky, with white head ! After a careful consideration of the subject I have come to the conclusion that as followers of the Linnzan binomial system of nomenclature, we are not authorized to adopt any genus which is not based by its author upon some particular object having a specific name avowedly used in the Linnzan bi- nomial sense. For this reason I begin my reference to the genera of Linnzus with the 10th edition (1758) of the Systema Nature (the first in which the binomial system is presented) ; not adopting « name from an earlier edition of the same author, where it would conflict with the one mentioned. This is substantially the rule of the British Association, which, however, selects the 60 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. and throat, from Bolivia (C. leucocephalus, Tschudi); and one dusky, with white head, back, and under parts, from Ecuador and New Grenada (C. leuconotus, Scl.). Of these, specimens of leucocephalus are in the Smithsonian collection, from Bolivia; and Mr. Lawrence possesses C. leucanotus, from Ecuador. Cinclus mexicanus. Cinclus pallasii, Boy. Zool. Jour. II, 1827, 52 (not the Asiatic species). Cinclus mexicanus, Sw. Phil. Mag. 1827, 368.—ScLaTER, Catal. 1861, 10. —Hydrobata mexicana, Batrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 229.—CooPER & Suckuey, Rep. P. R. R. XII, 17, 1859, 175 (nest). Cinclus americanus, Ricu. F. B, A. II, 1831, 273. Cinclus unicolor, Bon.; C. mortoni, Towns.; C. townsendii, “ Aup.” Towns. Figures: Bonaparte, Am. Orn. Il, 1828, pl. xvi, fig. 1.—Aud. Orn. Biog. pl. 370, 435.—Is. Birds Amer. II, pl. 137. Hab. Found through the mountainous region of the central part of North America, from Fort Halkett south into Mexico. None received from the coast region of California. A Mexican specimen, from Xalapa, representing the species as established by Swainson, is rather darker below than skins from the United States, and the feathers exhibit none of those whitish edgings so common (but not universal) in the latter. The smoky brown of the head and neck is sharply defined against the plumbeous of the back, but below shades off insensibly in a wash over the breast. The bill is black; the legs dark brown. In a young bird from Chiloweyuck Depot, the chin and throat are of a dirty white, and the head is plumbeous without any of the smoky brown tinge. Smith- |Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. c vee No. No. | Age. ollected. Received from Collected by 31,119 | 800 -. | Fort Halkett, B. A. | Dec. 10, ’62. J. Lockhart. Mr. Brass. 31,120 | 801 ee “ “ “ “ 11,419 ei «. | Frazer’s Riv. B. Col.| Mar. 1858. A. Campbell. Dr. Ki 11,806 ais | -. Chiloweyuck. ae | uP ee eneee 19,197 | 2! .. | Deer Creek, Neb. Jan. 4, ’60. Capt. Raynolds. Dr. Hayden. 11,467 ci ‘) | Fort Mass. N. M. Das | Capt. Bowimkin, a e a a { 12th edition as the starting point, instead of the 10th, though without any apparent good reason. As Moehring is not a Linnean binomialist, only adopting the generic or uni- nomial idea, and not the binomial, I do not consider his names as tenable, and consequently do not find that his use of the name Cinclus, in 1752, for another genus, is a pre-occupation, as rigidly understood. 1 SAXICOLA. 61 Famity SAXICOLIDA. SAXICOLA, Becust. Sazcola, Becustein, “‘Gemein. Naturg. 1802.’’ (Type Motacilla enanthe, L.) Saxicola cenanthe. Motacilla enanthe, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 186.—Sazicola enanthe, Becust. ““Gemein. Naturg. 1802,” and of European authors.— Ho.Bét, Orn. Groen. (Paulsen ed.), 1846, 23 (Greenland).—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 220 (Europe).—Jones, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 28 (Bermuda).—Covss, Pr. A. N. 8. 1861, 218 (Labrador).—Rein- HARDT, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Greenland). ?Saxicolu ananthoides, Vicors, Zool. Blossom, 1839, 19 (N. W. Ame- rica).—Cassin, Ill. I, 1854, 208, pl. xxxiv (Nova Scotia). Hab. A European bird abundant in Greenland, found as an autumnal mi- grant in Labrador, Canada, Nova Scotia, Bermuda, etc. Occurs also in Behring Straits. I have not seen any from the United States. This species of late years has been frequently detected in the eastern portions of North America, and may be legitimately con- sidered as belonging to our Fauna. The specimens collected all appear to belong to the Greenland race (see Coues as above), which is considerably larger than that of central Europe, and it is most probable that they have reached North America by the Greenland route. J have never seen a full plumaged spring specimen, all being in autumnal livery, and it is not at all improbable that those hitherto detected in America are merely winter visitors from Greenland (where it is abundant), and to which they return to breed. The bird may, however, nest in Newfoundland and Labrador. The specimen described by Vigors, from the N. W. coast of America, is considerably smaller even than skins from central Europe, and may be distinct, as suggested by Mr. Coues. Smith-/|Collec-! Sex sonian| for’s' || and Locality. Bick Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. 18,075 | 206 odo |Grosvater Bay, Lab.| Aug. 24,’60.; Elliot Coues. | ...... ‘ee i .» | Quebec. [land. es W. Couper. =|, 20,551 43 . |Godthaab, Green- seh: WilliamsColl.Lyc.) —... (18,075.) 7.00; 12.60; 4.30. 62 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. SIALIA, Swarnson. Sialia, Swarnson, Zool. Jour. III, Sept. 1827,173. (Type Motacilla sialis, Linn.) Sialia sialis. Motacilla sialis, Linn. S. N. 1758, 187 (based on Caressy, I, pl. 47).— Sialia sialis, Barro, Birds N. Am. 1858, 222.—BoarpMan, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1862, 124 (Calais, Me. ; very rare). Sialia wilsonii, Swatnson, Zool. Jour. III, 1827, 173.—Cas. Jour. 1858, 120.—Gunpuacn, Cab. Jour. 1861, 324.—Jonzs, Nat. Bermuda, 1859, 28, 66 (resident in Bermuda). Sylvia sialis, Lata. ; Ampelis sialis, Nort. ; Erythraca wilsonii, Sw. Figures: Vieruor, Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. ci, cii, ciii.—Wits. I, pl. iii. —Auvp. Orn. Biog. II, pl. exiii.—lIs. B. A. I, pl. 134.—Doveury, Cab. I, pl. xii. Hab. Eastern United States ; resident in Bermuda; Cuba (rare), Gundlach. As far as the indications of the large number of specimens in the Smithsonian Museum extend, this species is confined to the eastern faunal region of the United States and the Provinces, not extending up the western tributaries of the Missouri into the region of the sterile plains, nor northward beyond Lake Winnipeg. It is a rare bird in the West Indies—Gundlach recording it as scarce in Cuba. It is resident in Bermuda, whence the eggs have been received by the Institution. From the fact of the rarity of this species as a winter migrant in the West Indies, and its not occurring at all on the western plains, I am inclined to believe that the difference in shade of color shows the Mexican and the Guatemalan species to be distinct from the North American, and entitle it to a specific appellation. Smith- Collec- Bee ad When | | sonian| tor’s | an ocality. : Received from | Collected b: No. No. | Age. Collected. i iy 27,015 | .. | -. {Selkirk Settlement. ; ... | DonaldGunn, | _ ...... 8,882 | 23 o | Loup Fork of Platte. | July 3. ! Lt. Warren. Dr. Hayden. 13,163 ae do |S8t. Joseph’s, Mo. | bla ; Lt. Mullan. J. Pearsall. 6,560 | .. .. |Fort Riley, Kansas. ae i Dr. W. A. Ham- ! 1,285 ea .. | Carlisle, Pa. Mar. 9, °44.' §. F. Baird.[mond. 3,865 | .. .. | Prairie Mer Rouge ma ates i Jas. Fairie. Sialia azurea. Stalia azurea, Swainson, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 369. Stalia wilsonit, Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1856, 293 (Cordova).—Is. 1858, 299 (Oaxaca—high lands).—Is. 1859, 362 (Xalapa).—Scuarer, Ibis, 1859, 8 (Guatemala).—Is. Catal. 1861, 11, no. 65.—Tayzor, Ibis, 1860, 110 (Honduras).—Owen, Ibis, 1861, 60 (Guatemala), nest. Hab. Eastern Mexico and Guatemala. SIALIA. 63 (28,021.) Similar to S. sialis, but differing in shade of blue, which is greenish, not purplish. Whole upper parts, with sides of head and lower jaw, greenish-blue ; beneath brownish-red, except abdomen to crissum, which are white. Female with the plumage duller, the outer web of second primary abruptly edged with white. Total length, 6.70; wing, 4.00; tail, 3.20; bill from nostril, .35; along Sape, -80; tarsus, .80; middle toe and claw, .84. I was not a little surprised, on comparing a series of four Mexican and Guatemalan Blue Birds with about fifty from the United States, to find certain uniform differences in coloration and form, warranting the specific separation that Swainson hints at in the reference cited above. The shade of blue is appreciably different: instead of being of the rich dark purplish pure blue of S. sialis, it is of almost the very shade of greenish-blue seen in S. arctica, without the purplish lustre of the latter. The abrupt white margin of the outer primary in female (?) specimens I have not noticed in the North American bird. Of about the same length of body and wing, the tail is decidedly longer, measuring in the type specimen 3.20, instead of 2.75 or 2.80, the usual length in S. sialis. Although Swainson did not describe this species in such manner as to entitle him to it, I have preferred to adopt his name rather than present a new one. Smith- |Collec-} Sex When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Received from Collected b No. | No. | Age. Collected. | v 28,021 11 on Mirador, Mex. sae Dr. C. Sartorius. 28,022 11 oe ke aise & 28,023 ll os fs ‘ita fs 30,661 3a S Tactic, Vera Paz, | Nov. 5,59. | O. Salvin. [Guat. Sialia mexicana. Sialia mexicana, Sw. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 202.—Scuarer, P. Z. S. 1856, 293 (Cordova) ; 1857, 126 (California) ; 1859, 362 (Xalapa).—Ik. Catal. 1861, 11, no. 66.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 223.—CoorEeRr & Sucxzey, P. R. R. XII, 1, 1859, 173. Sialia occidentalis, Towns., Aup. ; Sialia czruleocollis, Viaors. Figures: Aup. B. A. II, pl. 135.—Is. Orn. Biog. V, pl. 393.—Vicors, Zool. Beechy Voy. 1839, pl. iii. Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to Pacific. Not noticed on the Missouri plains, British America, or Cape St. Lucas. Found at Xalapa and Cordova, Mex. (Sclater). 64 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [Part I. 1 Smith-/Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Cc when Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. olected. 7,617 | 265 -. | Fort Steilacoom. Mar. 1856. Dr. Suckley, = | _ ese 1,930] .. o | Columbia Riv. Sas S. F. Baird. J K. Townsend, 4,903 © | San Diego, Cal. cane Lt. Parke. Dr. Heermann. 7,633 a ae Gila River. Dec. 30, '54.| Major Emory. A. Schott. 18,315 | 766 & | Hellgate, Idaho. 1860. Lt. Mullan. J. Pearsall. 13,282 | .. o | Sweet Water. Aug.19,’58.| Capt. J. H. Simp-] C.S. M’Carthy. 5,051 is .» | Fort Fillmore, N. M. rat Capt. Pope. [son.| —. ss 4,020 | .. ee) Saltillo, Mex. May, 1853. | Lt.CGouch, = = | wave ee Sialia arctica. Erythraca (Sialia) arctica, Swatns. F. B. A. UH, 1831, 209, pl. 39.— Sialia arctica, Norraut, Man. II, 1832, 573.—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 224.—Scuater, Catal. 1861, 11, no. 67. Sialia macroptera, Bairp, Stansbury’s Rept. 1852, 314 (larger race with longer wings). Hab. Central table lands of North America, east to mouth of Yeliowstone. One individual collected at Fort Franklin, Great Bear Lake. Not common on the Pacific slope; the only specimens received coming from Simiahmoo, Fort Crook, and San Diego. Not recorded as found in Mexico. Smith-}Collec-| Sex When sonian| tor’s | and! Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. | 7 1,875 o Fort Union, Neb. July 1, '43. S. F. Baird. J. J. Audubon. 3,706 ee cs Salt Lake City. Mar. 21, '51.| Capt. Stansbury. 21,918 | 487 .. | Kootenay Riv. W.T. ie A. Campbell. 27,428 sia me | Simiahmoo, W. T. es 17,999 | 406 .. | Fort Crook, Cal. eee John Feilner, 28,131 | 207 | ¢ ae Mar. 10, °62.| D, F. Parkinson. 4,425 ws | San Diego, Cal. April, 1855. | Lt. Trowbridge. (3,706.) Type of S. macroptera, Famity SYLVIIDA. Bill slender, broad and depressed at the base, distinctly notched and de- curved at the tip. Culmen sharp-ridged at base. Frontal feathers reaching to the nostrils, which are oval, with membrane above, and overhung—not concealed—by a few bristles or by a feather. Rictal bristles extending beyond nostrils. Tarsi booted or scutellate. Basal joint of middle toe attached its whole length externally, half-way internally. Primaries ten: spurious primary about half the 2d, which is shorter than the 7th. Lateral toes equal. The birds of this family are readily distinguished from the Paridz, by the slender bill, notched and decurved at tip; much bristled gape, sharp-ridged culmen, exposed oval nostrils, less adherent toes, REGULUS. 65 etc. They are much smaller than the Turdide and Saxicolide, with much more slender, depressed bill, longer rictal bristles, ete. The short outer primary, with the primaries ten in number, distin- guish them from the Sylvicolide. Of the two subfamilies, Reguline are more nearly related to the Saxicolide, and Polioptiline to the Paride; and have, by many authors, been respectively thus assigned. I agree with Cabanis, however, in uniting them into one family. They may thus be dis- tinguished :— Regulinz. Wings longer than the emarginate tail. Tarsi booted or with- out scutellar divisions. Polioptilinze. Wings about equal to the graduated tail. Tarsi with dis- tinct scutelle. REGULUS, Cov. Regulus, Cuv. “‘Legons d’Anat. Comp. 1799-1800.” (Type Motacilla regulus, Linn.) Reguloides, Buytu. 1847. (Type “R. proregulus, Paty.,’’ GRay.) Phyllobasileus, Cas. Mus. Hein. I, 1850, 33. (Type Motacilla calen- dula, Linn.) Regulus satrapa. Regulus satrapa, Licat. Verz. 1823, no. 410.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1859, 227.—Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1857, 212 (Orizaba).—_BapExER, Cab. Jour. IV, 33, pl. 1, fig. 8 (eggs, from Labrador). — Pr. Max. Cab. Jour. 1858, 111.— Cooper & Sucxuzy, P. R. R. R. XII, mu, 1859, 174 (winters in W. Territory). Sylvia regulus, Wins. ; Regulus cristatus, ViEtu. ; R. tricolor, Nurt., Aub. Figures: Aun. B. A. II, pl. 132.—Is. Orn. Biog. HU, pl. 183.—Vuigru. Ois. Am. Sept. II, pl. evi. Hab. United States and the Eastern Provinces. This species is found throughout the entire region of the United States and the Provinces, though hitherto not noticed in the fur countries. On the Pacific slope it is abundant from the Puget Sound country (where it is found in winter), south to Fort Crook; but no specimens are in the collection from more southern points, not even Fort Tejon, nor any from the middle table land or Rocky Mountain region anywhere. The western specimens are much brighter and more olivaceous above, especially on rump and tail, than the eastern, and may possibly constitute a different race, or variety olivaceus. Sciater records it as found at Orizaba, Mex. This may, however, prove to be a different species. Young birds, as with R. calendula, are without the colored crown. 5 July, 1864. 66 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. | Smith-|Collec-| S sonian| tor’s aad Locality. C whens Received from | Collected by No. No. | Age. ollected. 10,237 te ts Sherborn, Mass. Dane oO. §. Babcock. e 825 Ja d Carlisle, Pa. Oct. 22, °42, B E ee 32,224 ae Liberty Co., Ga. rof. Leconte. i Si 11,801 } 200 g Simiabmoo. W.'t. | Nov. 23. A. Campbell. Dr. Kennerly. 7,176 | 130 |Juv.} Steilacoom, ‘i Dr. Suckley. ve 16,151 | 244 o Fort Crook, Cal. (6 Capt. J. Feilner. Regulus cuvieri. Regulus cuvieri, Avp. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 288, pl. 55, ete-—Bairp, Birds N. Am. 1859, 228. Hab. “Banks of Schuylkill River, Penn. June, 1812.” Aud. This species continues to be unknown, except from the description of Mr. Audubon, as quoted above. Regulus calendula. Motacilla calendula, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 337.—Regulus calendula, Licut. Verz. 1823, no. 408.—Bairp, Birds N. Amer. 1858, 226.— Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1857, 202.—Is. 1858, 300 (mountains of Oaxaca). —Is. 1859, 362 (Xalapa). —Is. Ihis, I, 1859, 8 (Guatemala). — Cooper & Sucxiey, P. R. R. XII, 1, 1859, 174.—Reinuarot, Ibis, 1861, 5 (Greenland). Regulus rubineus, Viztuu. Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 49, pl. civ, ev. Other figures: Wits. Am. Orn. I, 1808, pl. v, fig. 3.—Doueury, Cab. II, pl. vi.—Avp. Orn. Biog. II, pl. 195.—Is. Birds Am. II, pl. 133. Hab. Greenland ; whole of North America, and south to Guatemala. This species of Regulus appears to lack the small feather which, in satrapa, overlies and conceals the nostrils, which was probably the reason with Cabanis & Blyth for placing it in a different genus. There is no other very apparent difference of form, however, although this furnishes a good character for distinguishing between young specimens of the two species. smith-|Coltec. Sex When sonian} tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. | No. | Age. ‘ 18,083 | 157 2 | Grosvater Bay, Lab.| Aug. 6, 60. | Elliot Coues. 20,621 486 | o | Fort George, H. B. | July 11, ’60.| C. Drexler. | 19.482 | 459 do | Fort Resolution. May 17. R. Kennicott. | — ...... 27,222 |1,339 , .. ut tsi B.R Ross; |g ee 1,343 «+ | & | Carlisle, Pa, Aprill0,"44.| S. FP. Baird. | aaa 32,222 | g Liberty County, Ga.| Mar. 1848. Prof. Leconte. | ~~ ...... 13,520 | 295 | Simiahmoo Bay. April 23,’59.| A. Campbell. Dr. Kennerly. ms | +» | Fort Tejon, Cal. ves J: xeutus: | aesare 4,564 +. | San Diego, Cal. wea Lt. Trowbridge. | —.... 7,172 | .. |! Espia, Mex. os Major Emory. Dr. Kennerly. 13,631 | | + | Guatemala, a JeGouldy co Of) ir eees \ POLIOPTILA. 67 POLIOPTILA, Sciater. Polioptila, Scuartr, Pr. Zool. Soc. 1855, 11. (Type Motacilla cerulea, L.) Since the note on this genus was published by Mr. Sclater, in 1855, enumerating four species, their number has greatly increased, as at the present time at least nine or ten may be considered as perfectly well established, possibly more. The species are very closely allied, and can only be readily distinguished by an examination of the males. In all the upper parts are plumbeous gray ; the under white, more or less tinged with plumbeous. The tail feathers black, with the outer three or four more or less varied with white; the quills black ; the primaries edged with ashy, the secondaries with white. The males all have black on the head ; either the whole hood is black, or else gray, with a narrow line of black margining it above the eye, or a broad line through the eye. The following synopsis may aid in determining the males of the different species of American Polioptila :— Whole top of head above black. No white between eye and bill or above it. Outer tail feather black, except on outer web and extreme tip (about one-sixth or seventh). Hab. Rio Grande and Gila. . melanura. Outer tail feather white, ante partion hidden by naidies tail coverts. Second feather white for terminal third ; outline of white oblique, or along the fibres of the feather. Tarsus, .75; tail, 2.20. Hab. N. W. Mexico nigriceps. Outer tail feather black at base, but with more white than last; outlines of white directly transverse. Tarsus, .69; tail, 2.45. Hab. Brazil . . leucogastra. Outer tail feather entirely white; 2d and 3a vidi nearly to base. Hab. Guiana and New Grenada : . buffoni. Lores white ; eyelids black. Outer tail feather black at the base. Hab. Central Amer. albiloris. Lores and short supra-ocular stripe white. Inner web of outer tail feather white almost to base; next with basal third black: this color extending little further on the inner than the outer web. Hab. Panama superciliaris. Inner web of outer tail feather black for basal third; next with basal half black: this color extending much more on inner than outer web. Size considerably larger. Hab. Carthagena . 5 5 ‘ e . bilineata. Sides of head black; top gray. Under parts plumbeous, lighter than back. Hab. Eastern La Plata States . 7 t ‘ duimipelie. Under parts white, tinged witht pientenas, Hab. Bolivia. boliviana. 68 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. Top of head gray; sides whitish. A black frontal line extending backwards over the eye. Lateral tail feather white, except at the base. Tail slightly graduated. First primary much less than half the second. Hab. North America . ‘ . . ce#rulea. A black crescentic line beginning at ‘top of eye and pirdevine the ear coverts. Lateral tail feather black for basal half on inner web. Tail much graduated. First pri- mary more than half the second. Hab. Cuba . . lembeyii. A black line above the eye, not reaching the bill or ear coverts. Lateral tail feather black on nearly the whole of inner web. Tail moderately graduated. First primary more than half the second. Hab. Arizona 5 . - plumbea. Polioptila melanura. Culicivora atricapilla, Lawrence, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, Sept. 1851, 124 (not of Swarnsow). Culicivora mexicana, Cassin, Illust. I, 1854, 164, pl. xxvii (mot of Bow.). Polioptila melanura, Lawrences, Aun. N. Y. Lyc. VI, Dec. 1856, 168.— Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 382.—Herrmany, P. R. R. R. vol. X (Williamson), 1859, 39. Hab. San Diego to Fort Yuma and Cape St. Lucas. Specimens of this species from Cape St. Lucas differ from those of San Diego described in the P. R. R. Report (7191), in having the whole of the outer web of the outer tail feather white, and in a rather larger white tip. The colors beneath are a little less ashy, though not of a pure white. The ash of the back is rather lighter and purer. The lores are rather lighter. The 1st primary is a little larger and broader. It is possible that the -restriction of the white of the outer web of the exterior tail feather to the outer half only is an unusual circumstance, as both Mr. Cassin and Mr. Lawrence, in their de- scriptions, speak of the entire outer web being white—the second feather being of the former character. Under these circumstances there will be little specific difference between the tails of P. melanura and plumbea. The female bird will then be separated by the light superciliary line and much shorter tarsi of P. plumbea—the latter measuring .63, instead of nearly .70 of an inch. Smith-|Collec-| Sex i es i When 2 a lee pee Collected. | Received from Collected by 7,191 oe g San Diego, Cal. atte Lt. Williamson. Dr. Heermann ae “ ce v 12,966 | 323 ag Cape St. Lucas. a J. Xantus. 16,961 |1,346 | 9 peeaeBSio fe caieg > || Se PRAMS ES cotteniaie POLIOPTILA. 69 Polioptila nigriceps. Polioptila nigriceps, Barry, n. s. %. Above clear pure light bluish gray ; beneath pure white, including the flanks. Entire top of the head and sides, including lower eyelids, lustrous black. A slight ashy tinge on the sides of the neck. Only a few feathers in the eyelids white. Outer tail feather white, except for the basal con- cealed third, as is also the outer web, except at the base, and the terminal fourth (or .65 of an inch) of the next. Third feather with the inner web tipped with white for about a quarter of an inch: perhaps in the unworn feather extending a little on the outer web. First primary broad, about half as long as the 2d. No white on secondaries, or else worn off in this specimen. Length, about 4.50 inches; wing, 1.95; tail, 2.15; bill above, .48; from gape, .32; tarsus, .75. Hab. Mazatlan. This interesting new species of Polioptila resembles P. melanura in general appearance, but will be readily distinguished by the white outer tail feather and much purer white of the under parts. The gray above is lighter and clearer ; the bill is larger (equal to that of cerulea), and the tarsi are longer. The black cap seems to extend farther down the side of the head, and along the nape. The species appears well characterized by the length of the tarsi, which exceed those of any other species known to me; the bill is not so stout as, and decidedly shorter than that of P. albiloris (32,556), and there is no trace of white in the lores, or between eye and bill. The tail is longer; the lst primary only half the 2d. From leucogastra it differs in the smaller size, shorter bill and longer tarsi, narrower tail feathers and less amount of white on the tail, as well as different geographical distribution. P. buffoni has the outer tail feather entirely white, and the 2d and 83d white almost to the base. The tail is considerably shorter. Smith-| Collec-| Sex , When sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Received from Collected by Collected. No. No. | Age. 23,781 294 s Mazatlan. July, 1861. Je Mantas: | wieeediaww 23,781. Type. Polioptila leucogastra. Sylvia leucogastra, Max. Beit. III, 1830, 710.—Polioptila leucogastra, Sctater, P. Z. 8. 1855, 12 (in part).—In. Cat. 1861, 12, no. 74.— Culicivora leucogastra, Burs. Th. Bras. Vé_el, 1856, 111. Culicivora atricapilla, Sw. Zool. Ill. N. 8. pl. lvii (not of Lawrence). Culicivora dumecola, Box. Consp. 1850, 316 (not of VierLuor). 70 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PAST I. (No. 57, Mr. Lawrence’s collection, from Bahia.) Above lead gray, darker towards the rump; top of head and sides to lower edge of the eye glossy black. Beneath clear white, with a tinge of plumbeous across breast and sides. Quills black, edged like the back, the alula and inner secondaries broadly with white. Tail feathers glossy black, except the three exterior, of which the outermost is black on the basal half of the inner web (rather less on the outer) ; the next has the black extended nearly half as much more (on the basal two-thirds) ; the next is black, with the terminal fourth white. The shafts throughout are black. The length of the outer primary cannot be given, as the wings are not quite perfect. Total length, 4.50; wing, 2.00; tail, 2.35; bill from forehead, .57, from nostril, .35; along gape, .64; tarsus, .71; middle toe and claw, .45. Polioptila buffoni. Polioptila buffoni, ScuateEr, P. Z. 8. 1861, 127.—Is. Catal. 1861, 12, no. 73. This black-headed species I have not seen. It is said by Dr. Sclater to differ in a considerably smaller size (length, 4.00; wing, 1.90; tail, 1.80; bill from gape, .60), a longer bill, and in having the outer tail feather entirely white, the second and third white almost to the base. In lewcogastra the black is much more extended, as will be seen above. Polioptila aibiloris. _Polioptila albiloris, Sanvin, P. Z. S. 1860, 298 (Guatemala). “This species has the pileus black, the lores white; the outer three tail feathers tipped with white, decreasing gradually in amount (none entirely white). There does not appear to be a superciliary stripe. Length, 4.30; wing, 1.90; tail, 2.00.”—Salvin. Hab. West Coast Central America. In the collection before me are several skins from Central America which possess, to a certain extent, the characters of the specimen given above—the one coming nearest to it (32,556) having the back of a light gray color, the whole top and side of the head down to the lower edge of the eye black. There is a short white line from nostril towards, but not reaching the eye; the lores themselves are, however, black. The outer tail feather is white, except on the con- cealed base of the inner web, which is black; the next has this black reaching beyond the middle of the feather; the third has an oblique white tip. The bill is long; the Ist primary is little more than half the 2d. Length, about 4.00; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .67; bill from nostril, .35. A second specimen (30,555) is very similar, but shows only the POLIOPTILA. 71 slightest trace of the white near the bill—an occasional feather only being tipped with this color. A female referred to this species is similar in general character, but without the black head; the bill rather larger. The whole loral region to bill and the eyelids are white.’ Smith- Collee-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Geen Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. i 32,556 | 248 co Grenada, Nicar. die! Acad. Nat.Sci | ~~ ...... 30,555 oc | W. coast Cent. Am. Soe Capt. JM. Dow.}| —... ee 30,554 2 | Realejo, C. A. July 16, 63. SW Sibiadiaas 34,101 os “ Feb. 1864. RE GR eles Polioptila superciliaris. Polioptila superciliaris, LawRrENcr, Ann. N. Y. Lye. 1861, 304, 322 (Panama). First primary broad, and more than half the second, which is equal in length to outer secondaries. Color above light ashy (paler than in /euco- gastra) ; secondaries margined with white. The top of the head and nape are glossy black; the sides, however, are white, excepting a short black line from the eye backwards, running into the black of the nape. In other words, a conspicuous white line from the bill over the eye (which is situated about opposite its middle) and involving the whole loral region. The tail is glossy plack ; the outer tail feather is entirely white to the base; the next is white, except for the basal third; the next white for rather Jess than the terminal third; the fourth feather has a narrow white tip. The shafts of the white portions of the tail feathers are white. ' Since the preceding article was written Mr. Salvin has kindly transmitted to me for examination his type specimens of P. albiloris, from Guatemala, and skins labelled P. buffoni, from La Union, Salvador. The former agree very well with the first described specimen of “ albiloris,” except that the bill is not so large nor so much decurved at the end, the lores are more nearly white—there being only a few blackish feathers in front of the eye (more perhaps on one side than on the other) ; the white of the tail feathers extends a little farther towards the base. No. 34,101, also received recently, agrees with the type, except in having the larger bill. I can see very little difference between Mr. Salvin’s specimens of “albiloris” and of “ buffoni,” excepting in the color of the lores, and those described above, form two stages of inter- mediate gradation. I am, therefore, not disinclined to the impression that they all form one species. They all differ from P. buffoni, of Cayenne and Bogota, as first described by Dr. Sclater, in having nearly the basal third of the inner web of outer tail feather black, not white; the basal half of the jnner web of the second, and the basal three-fourths of that of the third feather black, instead of being white, almost to the base. The P. nigriceps differs from all these specimens in the longer tarsi and the oblique markings on the tail. 72 REVIEW OF AMERICAN BIRDS. [PART I. The female resembles the male, except in having the black of head replaced by ash, like the remaining upper parts. The white on the side of the head is not so distinctly defined as in the male, but the short superciliary stripe is distinctly appreciable. Total length, 3.80; wing, 1.76; tail, 1.75; exposed portion of Ist primary, -63; of 2d, 1.15; of longest (measured from exposed base of Ist primary), 1.40; length of bill from forehead, .50, from nostril, .33; along gape, .55; tarsus, .57. Hab. Isthmus of Panama. This beautiful species, perhaps the least of the genus, is closely related to P. bilineata, from Carthagena. Sclater, however, describes this as having the tips of the outer lateral tail feather white, on which account Mr. Lawrence makes it distinct. As, however, Bona- parte, in his diagnosis of P. bilineata (Conspectus Avium, I, 1850, 316), gives the outer tail feathers as white, the question remains to be decided by reference to the type in the Berlin Museum." Smith-|Collec-| Sex When : sonian| tor’s | and Locality. Collected Received from Collected by No. No. | Age. ? 51+] o Isthmus Panama. fee Cab. Lawrence. | ...... oe 51 9 He sae No gees I pease 34,097 c ae Bese Geo. N. Lawrence.| J. M’Leannan. 51. Type. Polioptila bilineata ?? Culicivora bilineata, Br. Consp. 1850, 316 (type from Carthagena, in Berlin Museum).—Polioptila bilineata, Scuater, P. Z. 8. 1855, 12; 1860, 273.—Is. Catal. 1861, 13, no. 75. Hab. 8. America: Carthagena; Ecuador (Esmeraldas, Babahoyo, Sclater). A female specimen (No. 9,110) received from Mr. Verreaux, and referred to in the ‘Birds of North America,” 381, as possibly the bilineata, has the characters of the species in the white lores and ! Since writing the preceding I have been favored by Dr. W. Peters, Direc- tor of the Berlin Museum, with a diagram of the outer two tail feathers of the type specimen of P. bilineata, and of their markings. He states that “the two outer tait feathers are white except at the base, which is black, in such a manner that the black extends much more on the inner part at the vexillum than on the outer part.” The diagram represents much broader tail feathers than those of superciliaris, with considerably more black at the base ; this color on the inner web extending a quarter of an inch further than on the outer, in the first feather covering more than one-third, in the second about one half of the web. In superciliaris the amount of black is consider- ably less, and extends little more on the inner than on the outer web. POLIOPTILA. 73 the superciliary stripe ; but the locality assigned, of ‘ Mexico,” is opposed to the idea of its being the true bilineata. It is much larger than the female of superciliaris, with the white on side of head much purer, though otherwise similar. The outer tail feather is entirely white, except at the concealed base; the next has basal half of inner web black, this color extending much beyond the black of outer web; the third is white for the terminal fourth or fifth. The Ist quill is more than half the 2d. It is specifically distinct, with- out doubt, from superciliaris, and if not bilineata, and really from Mexico, probably indicates the existence of a third species with black head. Compared with a supposed female of P. albiloris, the bill is weaker, size larger, more white on the head and tail, etc.! Total length, 4.50; wing, 1.85; tail, 2.10; exposed portion of lst primary, -68, of 2d, 1.28, of longest (measured from exposed base of 1st primary), 1.44; length of bill from forehead, .55, from nostril, .33 ; along gape, .60; tarsus, .70. Smith-|Collec-| Sex sonian| tor’s | and Locality. eee Received from Collected by No. No. | Age * 9,110 | 31,390 | 4? **Mexico.” aah Verreaux. | manne Polioptila dumicola. Sylvia dumicola, Vizi1u. Nouv. Dict.