COCCOTHRAUSTES.—CHRYSOMITRIS. 427 
Coccothraustes maculipennis, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1860, p. 251, t. 168. ff. 1, 2°; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1860, 
p. 898’. 
C. vespertino aliquot similis, sed corpore supra flavescentiore, capite toto et gula omnino nigris facile distin- 
guendus. (Descr. maris ex Chilasco, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
9 a femina C. vespertini capite summo toto nigro differt. (Descr. femine ex Coban, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico (Lesson, Bonaparte*), Orizaba (Sallé, Sumichrast*), Jalapa (de Oca*); 
Guatema.a (Skinner *), Volcan de Fuego, Chilasco, Coban § (0. S. & F. D. G.). 
This Coccothraustes, which is readily distinguishable from its American ally C. vesper- 
tinus, was described by Lesson from Mexican specimens contained in the collection of 
Doctor Abeillé of Bordeaux; and it has since been observed in several parts of the 
mountains of Southern Mexico. Thus Sumichrast speaks of having met with it near 
Orizaba, where also one of M. Sallé’s correspondents obtained the specimens described 
by Mr. Sclater as C. maculipennis ®. 
In Guatemala we secured specimens of both sexes at several points in the more 
mountainous districts, and usually in the oak-forests situated at an altitude of about 
6000 feet above the sea. 
The discovery of the sexes of this bird together in the mountains near Coban led to 
the conclusion that C. maculipennis represented the female or young male of C. abeiliai ® ; 
this was confirmed by dissecting a specimen of the female shot in the forests of the 
Volcan de Fuego near Duefas. 
In its habits this species is shy, and rather sluggish in its movements, frequenting 
the lower branches of the forest-trees. 
CHRYSOMITRIS. 
Chrysomitris, Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 822; Coues, Key N. Am. B. ed. 2, p. 353. 
American ornithologists have recently adopted Koch’s name Spinus for the Siskins 
on the ground that it was so restricted by Boie in 1826; but in those instances where 
types for genera are vaguely indicated and no descriptions given, an author’s subsequent 
action ought to be taken into account, and the fact of Boie proposing Chrysomitris for 
the Siskins in 1828 ought to be considered to throw some light on his previous appli- 
cation of the name Spinuws. Hence we continue the use of Chrysomitris, following the 
practice of most authors for many years past. 
With the exception of C. pinus, in which the plumage is streaked throughout, 
black and yellow or olive are the chief colours in the Central-American species of 
Chrysomitris. The bill in C. notata is very acute, the culmen being nearly straight, the 
tomia of the maxilla is angulated and has a slight dentate process near the angle, in 
front of which is a slight undulation, the bill above it being somewhat tumid; the 
nasal fossa is completely hidden by short, bristly feathers lying close to the surface of 
the bill; the feet are moderately strong, the middle toe and tarsi being subequal; the 
o4* 
