388 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Under parts pale olivaceous-yellowish ; purest behinil, lightest on the throat and abdo- 

 men; the breast more olivaceous, the sides still deeper olive-green, the bre;ist soiled with a 

 slin-ht buffy tinge. Axillars and crissum yellowish; the inside of wings whitish. Loral 

 region and a narrow space around eye dull-yellowish, in faint contrast to the olive of head. 

 Bill horn-color above, paler below ; legs dusky. 



Total length, 4.70 ; wing, 2.40 ; tail, 2.0.5 ; difference between tenth and longest quills, 

 .43 ; exposed portion of lirst primary, .72, of second, 1..52, of longest, fourth, and fifth 

 (measured from exposed base of first primary), 1.90 ; length of bill from forehead, .4.5, from 

 nostril, .29, along gape, .CO; tarsus, .72; middle toe and claw, .50, claw alone, .10; hiud 

 toe and claw, .45, claw alone, .22. 



H.\B. California and Western Mexico, to Oaxaca ; La Parada (ScL.) ; Orizaba (alpine 

 region, resident, Sp-micub.). 



The description just given is based upon tlie type specimen, probably in 

 winter plumage. Spring specimens do not vary materially except iu greater 

 purity of white edgings of the feathers. Two Mexican specimens are rather 

 larger, the wing measuring 2.50, tiie tail 2.oU. No other differences are 

 appreciable. In general the first primary is about half the second, sometimes 

 rather less. 



This species is readily distinguished from other "N'ireos, excepting V. 

 modestus, which it greatly reseml)les in the small bill, form, coh)ration, and 

 size ; nor indeed is it easy to separate tlunn. In modrdus, however, the 

 first quill is usually more than half the second, not less ; the wing sliorter, 

 and less pointed ; the tail longer. The upper parts are more uniform, not 

 much brighter towards rump. 



H.\BITS. Tliis species is one of cora])aratively recent origin, and of its his- 

 tory but little is as yet known. It was first described by L'assin, in 18.51, from 

 a specimen obtained in Monterey, Cal. It has been found in various parts 

 of California, in the valley of the Gila, and in the northern and eastern por- 

 tions of Mexico. Mr. Sumicln-ast gives it as a resident of the alpine region 

 of the Department of Vera Cruz. 



Dr. Cooper has observed this bird near San Diego, late in February, wliere 

 he at first mistook it for the r!iiby-crowned Wren, a bird that winters there 

 in abundance, and whicli he states resembles this species closely in appear- 

 ance and habits. Two of them came to witliin a few feet of where he sat, 

 scolding in a harsli tone. He recognized then their larger size and different 

 ])lumage, as well as their remarkably large eyes, and a peculiar slowness and 

 deliberation in their movements as they searclR'(l the foliage for insects. 



Dr. Cooper has since found them wintering plentifully up to latitude 38°. 

 Having observed but few of tliem in the Coast Eange, in May, he thinks that 

 most of them go farther north in summer. At San Diego, however, he shot 

 a female, on the 9th of Marcli, containing an egg nearly ready to be laid. 

 He had not been able to find the nest, wiiicli is presumed to be built in the 

 dense shade of the evergreen oaks (Qitercus agrifolia). Tlieir song is said to 

 consist of a few. short and quaint notes. Among the memoranda of Mr. 

 Xautus, made at Fort Tejon, I find the following : Qso. 1,827.) Xest and 



