114 MNIOTILTID 2. 
a. Cauda albo conspicue maculata. 
1. Helminthophaga chrysoptera. “a 
Motacilla chrysoptera, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 333°. 
Helminthophaga chrysoptera, Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1860, p. 397°; P. Z. 8. 1864, p. 847°; 1879, p. 494°; 
Cab. J. f. Orn. 1860, p. 828°; Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vii. p. 293°; ix. p. 94°; Baird, Rev. 
Am. B.i. p.175°; Salv. P. Z. 8. 1867, p. 185°; 1870, p. 182"; Frantzius, J. f. Orn. 1869, 
p- 293"; Baird, Brew. & Ridgw. N. Am. B.i. p. 192; Coues, B. Col. Vall. i. p. 216”; 
Gundl. Orn. Cub. p. 63; Merrill, Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. i. p. 123”. 
Sylvicola inornata, Sw. Phil. Mag. new ser. i. p. 484”. 
Supra grisea, dorso medio et alis extus oleagineo lavatis, capite summo et tectricibus alarum letissime flavis ; 
capitis lateribus et gula tota nigerrimis ; subtus alba, hypochondriis griseo tinctis ; rostro et pedibus brun- 
nescentibus. Long. tota 4:5, ale 2:4, caude 2, rostri a rictu 0:6, tarsi 0°7. (Descr. maris ex Choctum, 
Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Femina mari similis sed capite summo olivaceo nec flavo et alis fasciis duabus flavis notatis ; capitis lateribus et 
gula cinereis nec nigris distinguenda. (Descr. femine ex Coban, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Norra America, Eastern province !*, Canada 1°, Texas .—Mextco (Bullock 1°) ; 
GuatTeMALA, Coban, Choctum 2? (0. 8. & F. D. G.); Costa Rica (Hoffmann®), Bar- 
ranca (Carmiol"), Candelaria Mountains (v. Frantzius 11), Dota Mountains (Carmio/), 
Trazu (Rogers); Panama, Chiriqui, Santa Fé°®, Calovevoral? (Arcé), Lion Hill 
(MLeannan © *).—Cotomsia 4; Cusa 4. 
Though found in spring in Texas”, this species appears to avoid Mexico in its migration 
southwards, the only record of its occurrence in that country being Swainson’s reference 
to it under the name Sylvicola inornata’’. In Guatemala it only came under our notice 
in Vera Paz in the neighbourhood of Coban and Choctum; and here it is not by any 
means common in winter. It is not until we come to Costa Rica that H. chrysoptera 
is found in abundance ; but there, as well as in the adjoining State of Panama and in 
‘the north-western portions of the continent of South America, considerable numbers 
pass the winter. The furthest southern point reached by it is the neighbourhood of 
Bogota, whence we have received several specimens. In Cuba Dr. Gundlach says that 
it is of accidental occurrence in the vicinity of Havana during its passage northwards in 
April ¥. 
In the north it is described as nowhere a common species, and as distributed 
over a comparatively small extent of country, comprising Georgia, Massachusetts, 
New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin, but straying outside these limits!2. Little is 
recorded of its habits beyond the description of its nest and eggs—the former being 
composed outwardly of dry leaves interwoven with roots, strips of bark, &c., and Jined 
with fine leaves, grasses, and roots. This nest is usually placed in a low bush or on 
the ground in a tussock of grass 1”. 
Dr. Coues gives full references to the literature of this species 18, 
