248 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 93 



The specimen, a female, is in a way intermediate between the two 

 previously known specimens of tamaulipensis and true ruber of Guate- 

 mala. The dorsal surface of the head is dark as in tamaulipensis. 

 The wings, including the scapulars, and the tail also are dark as in 

 the northern race. On the other hand, the reddish brown color ex- 

 tends over the back, though it is a little darker than in ruber. The 

 Tres Zapotes specimen while differing in the extent of the chestnut 

 of the dorsal surface, seems decidedly nearer the northern form and 

 is identified with it, thus marking out a considerable range for this 

 bird, from near Tampico, Tamaulipas, to southeastern Veracruz. 



It is the only female at present known of the race. Measurements 

 are as follows: Wing 77.8, tail 29.9, culmen from base 19.3, tarsus 

 29.5, middle toe without claw 29.0 mm. 



Family HELIORNITHIDAE 



HELIORNIS FULICA (Boddaert) 



Colymbus fiilica Boddaert, Table des planches enlumineez, 1783, p. 54 (Cayenne). 



Along the Rio San Agustin below Boca San Miguel, and through 

 the channels to the neighborhood of Tlacotalpam, the finfoot is fairly 

 common. On March 6, 1939, on my journey up river, I observed sev- 

 eral, and others were recorded on my return April 15. Carriker saw 

 them in this same region the following year. As the launch in which 

 I traveled approached, they came swimming out with nodding head 

 from the cover of bushes along shore, often floating rather high on 

 the water. They flew rather quickly, being able to rise after four 

 or five strokes of the feet in the water. The flight was quite fast, 

 just above the surface, and was continued until the birds reached the 

 cover of aquatic growth, into which they disappeared instantly. As 

 they usually flew ahead, the white lower surface was not visible, the 

 birds appearing almost black, with an indication of the light line over 

 the eye. 



On March 7, 1940, Carriker secured a pair on the small stream at 

 Hueyapa. 



Family JACANIDAE 



JACANA SPINOSA GYMNOSTOMA (Wagler) : Mexican Jacana 



Parra gymnostoma Wagler, Isis von Oken, 1831, col. 517 (Mexico). 



Near Tlacotalpam, the jacana is common about lagoons and ponds, 

 extending along the river and on small channels to Boca San Miguel 

 wherever there are floating masses of water-hycinth. They fly con- 

 tinually before the launches that furnish means of travel in the 

 streams, a pleasing and interesting sight. Natives call them the 

 gallito. 



