CYANOSPIZA. | | 361 
CYANOSPIZA. 
Cyanospiza, Baird, B. N. Am. p. 500 (1858) ; Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii. p. 81. 
Passerina, Vieillot, Anal. p. 30; Coues, Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 390. 
This is a genus strictly confined to the United States, Mexico, and Central America, 
but south of Guatemala only the two migratory species C. cyanea and C. ciris occur. 
Another migratory species, C. amena, visits Western Mexico, in which country are two 
peculiar species and a third, a rare visitant to Guatemala. All these six species are 
very distinct, more so perhaps than those of any genus of similar extent. 
Cyanospiza is usually placed near Guiraca and Spermophila, but has little in common 
with those genera. The bill is decidedly weaker and smaller in proportion to the size 
of the bird. The angle of the tomia is less conspicuous, and the culmen straighter 
and but slightly curved; the second, third, and fourth quills are the longest, the first 
=fifth, the wing being rather rounded, but more so in the resident than in the migra- 
tory species. The tail is nearly even or slightly emarginate. The feet are moderately 
strong, the tarsus being about equal to the middle toe and claw. 
The generic name Cyanospiza was proposed by Prof. Baird in place of Spiza of 
Bonaparte, which that author had himself used previously in a different sense. 
Passerina, Vieillot, has recently been adopted by Dr. Coues. ‘his is not Passerina of 
Linneeus, which has been used in Botany. | 
1. Cyanospiza versicolor. 
Spiza versicolor, P. Z.S. 1837, p. 120'; Cab. Mus. Hein.i. p. 148°; Sel. P. Z.S. 1857, p. 214°; 
1859, pp. 365 *, 379°; Baird, Mex. Bound. Surv., Zool. ii. Birds, p. 17°; Sel. & Salv. Ibis, 
1859, p.17"; Dugés, La Nat. i. p- 140°; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H.i. p. 551°; 
Baird, Brew., & Ridgw. N. Am. B. ii. p.86"; Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. p- 276"; 
Sennett, Bull. U.S. Geol. Surv. iv. p.20”; v. p.393"; Salv. Cat. Strickl. Coll. p. 224", 
Passerina versicolor, Coues, Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 391”. 
Carduelis luxwosus, Less. Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 41". 
Spiza lazulina, Licht. Nomencl. p. 45 (fide Bonaparte"). 
Nigro-purpurea ; fronte, capite summo et uropygio cy aneis, plumis corporis supra a fronte postica ad dorsum 
medium et gutture toto sanguineo suffusis, loris nigris ; alis et cauda nigris extus purpureo limbatis; rostro 
corneo, pedibus corylinis. Long. tota 4:3, alee 2°5, caude 2:1, tarsi 0°65. 
Q supra brunnea unicolor, alis et cauda fusco-nigris, illarum tectricibus dorsi colore limbatis ; subtus multo 
pallidior, gula et abdomine medio sordide albidis. (Descr. maris et femine ex Presidio, Mexico. Mus. 
nostr.) 
Hab. NortH America, Lower California, Texas 19 12 13 15,Muextico 1214 16, Boquillo in 
Nuevo Leon (Couch °), Tepic (Grayson 11), Mazatlan (Grayson 1! , Forrer), Presidio 
(Lorrer), Cueramaro (Dugés §), Temiscaltepec !, Orizaba (Sumichrast ® Botteri*), 
Jalapa (de Oca*), Oaxaca (Boucard®); Guatemata (Skinner", Van Patten '),— 
Peru % 
. Though found close up to the Texan frontier of the United States, the only claim 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol. I., April 1886. 46 
