VIREOLANIUS. 209 
VIREOLANIUS. 
Vireolanius, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. i. p. 330 (1850) (ex Du Bus); Baird, Rey. Am. B. i. p. 395. 
This genus, with the next, form a distinct section of the Vireonide, by reason of their 
stout beaks and their more robust build. They approach the Shrikes (Laniide) ; and, 
indeed, we think it not at all improbable that their more immediate relationship with the 
African genus Laniarius, which they strongly resemble in many points of coloration, will 
some day have to be reconsidered; but to do so here would lead us into a discussion 
far beyond the limits of the present work. We may remark, however, that Swainson 
placed the species he described in the genus Malaconotus, calling it M. leucotis, and in 
the same genus he placed several species now considered to belong to Laniarius. 
From Cyclorhis Vireolanius is hardly to be distinguished structurally; but, as 
Prof. Baird remarks, the beak is not quite so strongly curved and not so deep at the 
base. 
Cyclorhis, however, is very homogeneous as now restricted, and to include Vireolanius 
in it would be to introduce an aberrant element. Moreover we feel sure that the 
alliance is not so close as appears at first sight, though the differences are not to be 
satisfactorily stated at present. 
Vireolanius contains four species, one of which, V. melitophrys, is restricted to the 
highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. V. pulchellus, V. eximius, and V. leucotis are 
probably all lowland species, and are distributed, the first throughout Central America, 
the second in Colombia, and the last in Guiana and Upper Amazonia. 
a. Subtus albus torque pectorali castaneo. 
1. Vireolanius melitophrys. 
Vireolanius melitophrys, DuBus, Esq. Orn. t. 26'; Bp. Consp. Av. i. p. 3307; Scl. P. Z.S. 1857, 
p. 213°; 1859, p. 363*; 1862, p.19°; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1860, p. 31°; Ex. Orn. p. 18, 
t. 7"; Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 396°; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 548°. 
Lanius chrysophrys, Licht. Mus. Berol.? (fide Bonaparte”). 
Supra olivaceus, capite summo et cervice postica plumbeis, superciliis lete flavis, stria per oculos a rictu ad 
nucham extensa, altera angusta rictali nigris; subtus albus, pectore lete castaneo, hypochondriis eodem 
colore lavatis; iride (ave viva) viridescente albo, pedibus carneis. Long. tota 6:0, ale 3:0, caude 2-6, 
rostri a rictu 0:9, tarsi 0°95. (Deser. maris ex Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Q capite summo ochraceo tincto, striis capitis lateralibus fusco-nigris, subtus pectore castaneo dilutiore, 
abdomine toto ochraceo lavato a mare differt. (Descr. feminee ex Volcan de Fuego, Guatemala. Mus. 
nostr.) 
Hab. Muxico!? 1°, Orzaba (Botteri*), Jalapa (de Oca‘), Capulalpam (Bouwcard 5), 
temperate region of Vera Cruz (Sumichrast®), valley of Mexico (le Strange) ; 
GuaTEMALA °, Volcan de Fuego (0. S. & F. D. G." 8). 
This species, which has no near ally in the genus Vireolanius, is restricted in its 
range to the highlands of Mexico and Guatemala. In the former country it has been 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol. I., March 1883. 27 
