188 DENDROCOLAPTIDZ. 
Hab. Costa Rica, Monte Redondo (Zeledon '). 
‘‘The only Central-American species at all closely related to the present one is 
P. compressus, Cab., which comes rather close in the coloration of the upper parts, 
which, however, are decidedly more rufescent ; but the lower parts are very decidedly 
different, the lighter markings being in P. gracilis much paler (buffy whitish instead of 
deep buff), and the blackish streaks much broader; besides, P. compressus has the 
bill much longer, and light brown instead of mainly blackish.” (Ridgway, 1. s. ¢.") 
The above is Mr. Ridgway’s description of this distinct species, no specimen of it 
having as yet reached us. 
XIPHORHYNCHUS. 
Xiphorhynchus, Swainson, Zool. Journ. iii. p. 354 (1827) ; Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 
il. p. 153 (5 July, 1889); Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xv. p. 158. 
The long arched bill possessed by all the members of this genus renders it easily 
recognized. It is, in fact, an exaggeration of the bill of Picolaptes, being much longer 
and more curved ; it is also compressed much more abruptly at and beyond the nostrils. 
In other respects Xiphorhynchus is structurally like Dendrornis, Picolaptes, &c. 
Regarding the number of species contained in the genus, authorities differ. Mr. 
Sclater in his recent Catalogue admits six (including X. pucherani); Mr. Chapman 
(excluding XY. pucherant) recognizes nine species. "We have only been partially into 
the question of this difference of opinion, as we are now only concerned with two species ; 
but though we think that X. trochilirostris as understood by Mr. Sclater is perhaps 
too comprehensive a term, we are hardly disposed to carry its subdivision so far as 
Mr.Chapman. Questions of this nature can only be settled by an examination of very 
ample and well collected materials, and no sufficient number of specimens have been 
yet got together to make a satisfactory decision possible. 
1. Xiphorhynchus trochilirostris. 
Dendrocolaptes trochilirostris, Licht. Abh. Ak. Berl. 1820, p. 207, t. 3*; 1821, p. 263°. 
Xiphorhynchus trochilirostris, Wied, Beitr. ii. p. 1140 (partim)*; Scl. Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xv. 
p. 159*. 
Xiphorhynchus lafresnayanus, Lawr. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. vii. p. 292 (nec d’Orb.) *. 
Xiphorhynchus venezuelensis, Chapman, Bull. Am. Mus. N. H. ii. p. 156°. 
Supra rufo-brunneus, uropygio, alis extus et cauda rubiginosis, pilei et cervicis plumis nigris stria rhachidali 
cervina, ad dorsum anticum angustioribus : subtus fusco-brunneus, plumis omnibus (abdomine et crisso 
exceptis) cervino-albido medialiter striatis, pectoris striis angustioribus, gule et cervicis latioribus 
nigricanti-fusco utrinque marginatis, subalaribus et remigibus intus (preter apices) cinnamomeis: rostro 
rubido, pedibus plumbeis. Long. tota 9°5, ale 3°6, caude 3, rostri a rictu (chord) 2°7, tarsi 0°8. (Deser. 
exempl. ex Panama. Mus. nostr.) 
3 et 2 similes. 
