28 TURDIDA. 
Melanoptila glabrirostris was a much wished-for species that long eluded our obser- 
vation in Guatemala ; and it was not until the early part of May 1862 that it was at last 
found to be not uncommon on some of the islands of the outermost of the coral reefs 
which line the coast of British Honduras. Several specimens were obtained on Half- 
moon Cay on Lighthouse reef ; and it was observed on Northern two Cays, Long Cay and 
Middle Cay (islands of the same reef), and also on Glover's reef, which lies to the south- 
ward of Lighthouse reef. In its actions and flight M/. glabrirostris much resembles a 
Mocking-bird (Mimus) ; and it has a short but sweet song. It is said to lay blue eggs; 
so that Mr. Sclater’s suggestion as to the position of the species amongst the Mocking- 
birds seems to be correct, and the genus may be placed next to Galeoscoptes, from which 
it mainly differs in the colour and texture of its plumage. 
Since our specimens were obtained we have received two examples from the neigh- 
bourhood of Corosal on the mainland of British Honduras. These were sent home in 
spirits by Mr. Roe in a small collection of birds from that place. 
MELANOTIS. 
Melanotis, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. i. p. 276 (1850) ; Baird, Rev. Am. B.i. p. 56. (Type Orpheus 
cerulescens, Sw.) 
A genus of two species peculiar to Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala, each 
district having a species to itself. Prince Bonaparte first removed the Mexican species 
from the genus Orpheus (vel Mimus), in which Swainson had placed it, and made a 
new genus, Melanotis, for its reception, giving, however, no characters. ‘This deficiency 
has been supplied by Prof. Baird, who has fully described the external form. Melanotis 
seems most nearly allied to Galeoscoptes and Melanoptila, having, however, several 
characters by which it may be recognized. The young of Melanotis, as shown by 
examples of young WM. hypoleucus, have the back unspotted in the first plumage— 
a fact which may help to determine the position of the genus and its allies at some 
future day. 
1. Melanotis czerulescens. 
Orpheus cerulescens, Swains. Phil. Mag. new ser. i. p. 369". 
Mimus cerulescens, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1856, p. 294°. 
Melanotis cerulescens, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1859, pp. 362°, 370°; Baird, Rev. Am. B. p. 56° ; Grayson, Proc. 
Bost. Soc. N. H. xiv. p. 275°; Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. p. 266"; Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. 
No. 4, p. 12°; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H.i. p. 548°. 
Turdus melanotis, Temm. Pl. Col. 498”. 
Turdus erythrophthalmus, Licht. Preis- Verz. mex. Vog. p. 2 (1830), ef. J. f. Orn. 1863, p. 57”. 
Schistaceo-cerulescens ; capitis lateribus, loris et gula nigris; gutturis plumis elongatis, rostro et pedibus 
nigris. Long. tota 10:5, ale 4:5, caude 5:2, rostri a rictu 1°3, tarsi 1-2. (Deser. exempl. ex Jalapa, 8. 
Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 
