280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 03 



XENICOPSOIDES MONTANUS VARIEGATICEPS (Sclatcr) 



Anabazenops variegaticeps P. L. Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. Loudon, 1856 (Jan. 

 2G, 1S57), p. 289 (Cordoba, Veracruz). 



Carriker shot a pair at about 3,700 feet altitude on April 20, 1940, 

 on Volcan San Martin and reported two others in the same locality. 

 They were found in high undergrowth in very heavy forest. 



SYNALLAXIS ERYTHROTHORAX FURTIVA Bangs and Peters 



SynaUaxis erythrothrorax furtiva Bangs and Peters, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 

 vol. 07, Jan. 1927, p. 476 (Presidio, Veracruz). 



One of the common species in the lowland area, these birds range 

 in thickets or in the low, dense growth at the border of monte. 

 From such protection they come out under cover of grass to feed in 

 the open, usually on the ground, but retreat at once when alarmed. 

 Carriker saw a few in the coastal sand dunes, and found them 

 common among the low thickets scattered over the savannas near 

 Tlacotalpam. 



As they fly up with tilting flight or move about in the brush, they 

 often appear very bright colored, suggesting little finches. The 

 note is querulous with a curious cadence, often heard when the birds 

 themselves are under cover. Their large stick nests are placed 5 to 

 7 feet from the ground. On April 13 I saw one carrying twigs. 



The series taken comes from near Tres Zapotes on the following 

 dates: March 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, and 27 and April 3 and 13, 1939; 

 January 17 and 18 and March 6, 8, and 18, 1940. The race fwtiva, 

 as represented in this good series, is distinguished from typical 

 erythrothorax of eastern Guatemala by duller-colored flanks and 

 sides, with the lighter area of the abdomen more extended laterally. 



XENOPS MINUTUS MEXICANUS Sclater 



Xenops mexicanus P. L. Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1856 (Jan. 26, 1857), 

 p. 289 (C6rdoba, Veracruz). 



Carriker shot a male in the forest southeast of Tres Zapotes on 

 April 12, 1940. 



Family FORMICARIIDAE 



GRALLARIA GUATIMALENSIS GUATIMALENSIS Prevost and Des Murs 



Qrallaria guntimalcnsis Prevost and Des Murs, Voyage autour du monde sur 

 ... la V6nus, Zool., Atlas, livr. 1, 1S46 (1842), pi. 4 (Guatemala). 



The antpittas, always shy, elusive forest birds, are difficult to secure. 

 In 1939 I had no hint of their presence, but the following year Car- 

 riker obtained three in the forested area southeast of Tres Zapotes, 



