112 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



representative a series of the birds as possible, so that in most cases 

 only one or two of a species were taken. These are now in the Museum 

 of Comparative Zoology. Two birds which seemed unmistakable are 

 included on Mr. Thompson's authority as being at times found at 

 Chichen. These are the Barn Owl (Strix pratincola) and the Mexican 

 Road Runner {Geococcyx affi,nis). Others, concerning which there Avas 

 less certainty, have not been included. The collection of skins men- 

 tioned as having been made by Mr. Thompson (with the aid of a native, 

 under his direction) in the early nineties, comprised eighty-four speci- 

 mens, representing fifty-three species, among which were nine not 

 otherwise known for the locality. Many of these are also, through his 

 generosity, now in the Museum of Comparative Zoology. And, finally, 

 there is a single addition depending upon a record found elsewhere — 

 that for the Central American Boatbill collected by Cabot, and mentioned 

 by Stepliens. 



Chapman lists ten forms for which I have no other records ; these are 

 included here for the sake of completeness, but have been enclosed in 

 brackets so that they may be distinguished. All species recorded by 

 Chapman are preceded by an asterisk in order to facilitate comparison of 

 the two lists. 



It must be borne in mind that this is essentially a list of the winter 

 birds at Chichen-Itza. As has been stated by Chapman, Gaumer, and 

 Baker, there is probably a considerable migration to the southward from 

 northern Yucatan at this time of year, but concerning such migration 

 there is comparatively little definite information at hand. The birds 

 from Mr. Thompson unfortunately, in most cases, bear no data as to the 

 time of year they were collected; but it is not improbable that some of 

 them are to be found at Chichen-Itza only during the summer months, 

 which include the rainy season. In the case of Columha speciosa I 

 obtained direct information that it was common in the summer, but 

 was not there in the winter, and it is possible that the same is true of 

 Claravis pretiosa, Pteroglossus iorquafus, and other birds which were not 

 obtained by either Chapman or myself during our visits in the winter 

 months. In fact, I am under the impression that certain species, such 

 as Merula grayi and Megaquisculus major maerourus, which I saw only 

 during the latter part of my stay, may have been the returning 

 vanguard of these southern migrants. 



No systematic effort at collecting or observing birds was made except 

 at Chichen ; but in many cases such incidental notes as were made at 

 other places have been added, the locality being given in each case. A 



