CAMPYLORHYNCHUS. 67 
similar. The colouring of the hind neck connects it with C. jocosus, which is really its 
nearest ally. 
B. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS. 
Nares sublineate, operculo sensim obtecte. 
c. Pileus fere unicolor; dorsum longitudinaliter striatum. 
6. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus. 
Picolaptes brunneicapiilus, Lafr. Mag. Zool. 1835, cl. ii. pl. 471; Heermann, Journ. Ac. Phil. 
li. p. 263°; Dugés, La Naturaleza, i. p. 140°. 
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 99*; Dresser, Ibis, 1865, p. 483°; Baird, 
Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B. i. p. 182°; Coues, B. Col. Vall. i. p. 156". 
Supra brunneus, pileo toto unicolori; dorso toto maculis elongatis albis nigro utrinque limbatis notato; alis 
extus rufescente albo frequenter transfasciatis; cauda nigra, rectricibus mediis pallide brunneo indistincte 
transfasciatis, extimis maculis magnis albis in utroque pogonio notatis; subtus albus, abdomine imo et 
tibiis rufescente tinctis, pectore toto, gutture imo et hypochondriis maculis rotundis nigris permaculatis ; 
crisso albescente maculis magnis nigris notato; rostro obscure plumbeo, mandibule basi albicante ; 
pedibus pallide corylinis. Long. tota 7:0, ale 3-2, caude 3:0, rostri a rictu 1-1, tarsi 1-0. (Descr. 
femine ex Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Nort America, Rio Grande 5 and Colorado valleys, Southern California, Utah, 
and Nevada %.—Muexico, Guaymas (Heermann ), Guanajuato (Dugés *), valley of 
Mexico (le Strange). 
Though apparently common all along the northern frontier of Mexico, from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, the only evidences we have of the occurrence of C. brunnei- 
capillus further south are the statement of Dugés of its being found at Guanajuato 
and the specimens brought home by Mr. le Strange from the vicinity of the city of 
Mexico, one of which, through his kindness, we have in our collection. On the 
northern frontier it is described by naturalists who have worked in that region?° as 
frequenting very arid country where cacti abound, its partiality to that plant having 
gained for it the name of the “Cactus-Wren.” It even builds its loose purse-shaped 
nest in the cactus-plants, making it outwardly of grass and straw, and lining it with 
cotton or feathers+. Its notes are described as harsh and scolding, but its song as clear 
and ringing ©. | 
Lafresnaye’s description and figure ! are, as Prof. Baird says, not satisfactory ;. and as 
the locality of the original specimen is supposed to have been either California or Peru, 
there is a possibility that a different species from the one now under consideration 
should bear the name C. drunneicapillus. ‘This name, however, has always been 
associated with the present species ; and it is universally admitted that it would be unwise 
to disturb matters except on better grounds for so doing than at present exist. 
Q* 
