2 TURDIDZ. 
and C. dryas) are found in the forest-clad slopes of the mountains at moderate height ; 
others (as C. melpomene, C. occidentalis, and C. griseiceps) frequent the woods of the 
tablelands of 4000 to 5000 feet elevation; whilst the upland forests of the volcanoes, 
to a height of 10,000 feet, are the abode of C. alticola, C. frantztt, and perhaps of 
C. gracilirostris. The species are generally observed on the ground, searching amongst 
dead leaves for their food. C. melpomene has a pleasing song, not unlike that of a 
Robin (Erithacus), a bird which its gait and actions also call to mind. | 
The genus was originally founded on a Venezuelan species described as C. aurantii- 
rostris by Dr. Hartlaub, and subsequently as C. immaculatus by Bonaparte. Mr. 
Gould’s genus Malacocichla (based upon Catharus dryas), though somewhat aberrant as 
regards coloration, is structurally identical with Catharus. Mr. Gould considered his 
species to be closely allied to Chameza and Grallaria (Formicariide); but this view 
cannot be maintained, Catharus being a typical member of the Turdide. The figure 
of C. dryas* shows the front tarsal plate to be divided into three scutella. This is 
not so in any specimen we have examined, the tarsi of all of which have a single 
undivided plate running down the front. 
1. Catharus melpomene. 
Turdus melpomene, Cab. Mus. Hein. i. p. 5 (1850°) ; Licht. Nomencl. p. 25. 
Catharus melpomene, Scl. P. Z. S. 1858, p. 97”, 1859, pp. 823°, 362*, 370°; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, 
p. 6°, 1860, p. 29"; Cab. J. f. Orn. 1860, p. 322°; Baird, Rev. Am. B. p.7°; Lawr. Ann. Lye. 
N.Y. ix. p. 90”; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N.H.i. p. 542"; Frantz. J. £. Orn. 1869, p.289 ”. 
Catharus aurantirostris, Scl. P. Z. 8S. 1856, p. 294° (nec Hartl.). 
Supra cinnamomeo-brunneus, alis extus late saturatioribus, pileo dorso fere concolori; subtus griseo-albidus, 
pectore grisescentiore, gula haud striata ; rostro et pedibus aurantiaco-flavis. Long. tota 6-5, ale 3, caude 2:5, 
tarsi 1°25, rostri a rictu 0°8. (Descr. exempl. ex Jalapa, Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé!3), Jalapa! (de Oca*), Totontepec (Boucard®), Orizaba 
(Sumichrast ® 11); GuatemaLa, Duefias’, Coban (0. 8S. & F. D. G.); Costa Rica 8, 
Quebrada Honda (v. Frantzius 1°), San José and Grecia (Carmiol !°), Volcan de 
Cartago (Arcé). | 
Catharus melpomene was originally described from a Mexican specimen (Jalapa), 
where the species would appear to be not uncommon. In Guatemala we found it in 
brushwood, both in the tablelands and also in Alta Vera Paz. In the highlands of 
Costa Rica it seems to be equally abundant. Though the range of the species is pro- 
bably broken by low-lying land at several points, no important variation has ensued, 
and we are unable to trace any tangible differences between specimens from most dis- 
tant localities. There is some variation in the intensity of the colouring of the back, 
and also in the depth of the cinereous of the underparts; but these variations are not 
* P.Z.8. 1854, p. 285, t. Ixxv. 
