GEOCOCCYX. 537 
ceruleo macula conspicua coccinea postice ornato. Long. tota circa 18°5, ale 6-0, caudex rectr. med. 11-0, 
rectr. lat. 6°6, rostri a rictu 2-0, tarsi 2-0. (Deser. exempl. ex San Gerdénimo, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico, Sierra de Alamos ( W. Lloyd), Presidio de Mazatlan (Forrer), Hacienda de 
San Marcos, Zapotlan (W. Lloyd), Volcan de Colima (W. B. Richardson), Jalapa 
(de Oca*, F. D. G.), Zentla, Huehuetlan !° (Merrari-Perez), Durasnal (Boucard 2), 
Morelia (le Strange), Juquila (Boucard*), Soledad, Potrero, Juchitan, Cacoprieto 
(Sumichrast* 4), Sierra de S. Domingo, Tehuantepec (W. B. Richardson), Peto, 
Temax, Izalam, Progreso, Rio Lagartos® (G. F. Gaumer), Tekanto (Stone & 
Baker"); Guaremaua! generally > 8, Vera Paz, hills above Quiché, Gorge of La 
Campana Rio Chixoy, Duefas (0. S. & F. D. G.), San Gerénimo (R. Owen ®), 
Toliman (W. B. Richardson); Nicaragua, San Rafael del Norte, Matagalpa 
(W. B. Richardson). 
This species, which Dr. Hartlaub separated from Geococcyx californianus in 1844, has 
a very similar general appearance to that bird, but is smaller, without stripes on the 
middle of the breast, and has the under tail-coverts dark brown. Its range extends 
much further south, but in Western Mexico both species occur together over a 
considerable area, reaching from the State of Sonora to that of Puebla. In Yucatan, 
and thence southwards through Guatemala and as far as Northern Nicaragua, G. affinis 
is found alone. 
Dr. Gaumer says® it is a rather rare bird in Northern Yucatan, except at Rio 
Lagartos, and may be generally seen perched upon the stone fences or upon some 
elevated object, but rarely in trees. When startled it jumps quickly to the ground 
and runs away, hiding itself in the thick undergrowth. Mr. Stone !! only met with it 
in the scrubby woods about Tekanto, where a few individuals were seen running rapidly 
through the bush, and when thus running they look very like the Iguanas which 
abound in the district. We also noticed the likeness they have to the large lizards, 
b 
and in Guatemala they are in some places called “Iguana” and “Siguamonte” or 
‘‘Guarda camino.” When riding along a road where these birds are found one may 
be seen occasionally to cross the track rapidly, first peering out of the underwood 
before making a rush, and now and then stopping to make a final survey just before 
diving in again. The bird is not shy but inquisitive, and will often remain quite still 
by the side of the path and watch a passer-by without alarm. 
Mr. Robert Owen® procured us a bird and four eggs from near San Gerénimo, in 
Guatemala, on 3rd April, 1860. ‘The nest was placed in the fork of a tree about twelve 
feet from the ground, and was a loose unfinished-looking structure consisting of a few 
dried twigs and lined with stalks of grass. The eggs are pure white with a smooth 
surface, and measure 1°45 x 1:05 inch. 
The large space round the eye in life is of a chalky bluish-white colour, and has at 
its further end a large crescent-shaped patch of vermilion. ‘The legs are of a slate- 
colour. 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Aves, Vol, II., June 1896. 68 
