OCR Text |
Show 324 MESSRS. SCLATER AND SALVIN [May 28, nigricantibus, secundariorum et tectricum majorum marginibus externis brunnescentibus: superciliis, striga rictali utrinque et gula media albis : gula superiore utrinque et inferiore tota cum pectore medio nigris, ventre medio, hypochondriis et crissi plumarum marginibus nigris : rostro nigricanti-corneo, mandibula flavo notata: pedibus corylinis: long, tota 6*5, alee 2*8, caudce 2*5, tarsi 0*7. Hab. Mexico. Mus. P. L. S. W e describe this well-marked species from a single indifferent skin, which has long remained without a name, in Sclater's collection. It was obtained by him some years ago from Mr. Gould, who received it along with a collection of Mexican Hummingbirds. The species differs in several respects from the members of the genus Zonotrichia as restricted by recent systematists, but we know not where else to place it. The wings are short and much rounded, the third, fourth, and fifth primaries being equal and longest, the second being only slightly shorter. The first primary is 0*35 shorter than the longest, and longer than is usual in typical Zonotrichice. The tail is short and slightly rounded, and bears no markings on the outer rectrices. W e have named it quinquestriata, from the five white lines which originate from the bill. These are two short superciliary stripes, two rictal stripes, and one rather broader stripe in the centre of the black throat. In this respect our bird somewhat resembles Z. mystacalis, which, however, is readily distinguishable by the bright reddish-brown rump and longitudinal stripes on the head and interscapularies. 3. PYRGISOMA CABANISI. Melozone biarcuata, Cab. J. f. O. 1860, p. 412. Pyrgisoma kieneri, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 169 ; Lawrence, Ann. L. N. Y. viii. p. 481. Supra fuscum, pileo et plumis auricularibus castaneis: fronte nigra, loris et regione oculari albis : subtus cinereum, medialiter album, striga utrinque rictali et plaga pectorali media nigris : subalaribus albis : rostro nigro, pedibus corylinis. Hab. San Jose, Costa Rica (Hoffmann). Mus. Parisiensi, Berolin. et P. L. S. Obs. Simile P. biarcuato, sed regione parotica castanea et plaga pectorali nigra facile distinguendum. It is unfortunate that all the naturalists who have met with specimens of the present bird should have identified it wrongly. Dr. Cabanis has referred it to the Pyrgita biarcuata, Prevost, a well-known Guatemalan species of the same genus, from which it is easily distinguishable, as above noted. Messrs. Cassin and Lawrence have supposed it to be Pyrgisoma kieneri of Bonaparte, overlooking the fact that the latter species is characterized as being, in comparison with P. biarcuatum, "valde majus et rostro robustiore," whereas |