BIRDS OF SOUTHERN VERACRUZ — WETMORE 301 



obtained. The birds were found in weed patches in old fields. The 

 western house wren has been recorded previously only south to 

 Orizaba, so that the two secured mark a southern extension of the 

 winter range. 



HENICORHINA LEUCOSTICTA PROSTHELEUCA (Sclater) 



Scytalopus prostheleucus P. L. Sclater, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, I806 (Jan. 26, 

 1857), p. 290 (Cordoba, Veracruz). 



The following are dates on which specimens were taken: Tres 

 Zapotes, March 10, 16, 24, 25, April 6, 1939, January 22, February 24, 

 1940; Cerro de Tuxtla, March 11, 19, April 3, 1940. They were found 

 in the original stands of heavy forest where shadows were dense and 

 often where it was damp and wet. Carriker recorded them to the 

 summit of Cerro de Tuxtla and to 4,000 feet elevation on Volcan 

 San Martin. 



NANNORCHILUS LEUCOGASTER LEUCOGASTER (Gould) 



Troglodytes leucogastra Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1836 (Feb. 20, 1837), 

 p. 89 (Tamaulipas). 



Near Tres Zapotes this was the most common wren, so that we 

 secured a good series between January 22 and April 5. The birds 

 ranged in thickets and second growth, usually near the ground, but 

 occasionally they ascended into the lower tree tops where there was 

 a protective screen of creepers. They were found frequently in pairs, 

 and ordinarily were so tame and curious that they could be called out 

 into sight without much trouble. The clear, sweet song, of surprising 

 volume for so small a bird, was heard daily, and came regularly from 

 thickets about our camp. Their chattering calls greeted me on every 

 journey afield. 



Family MIMIDAE 



DUMETELLA CAROLINENSIS (Linnaeus) : Catbird 



Huscicapa carolinensis Linnaeus, Systema naturae, ed. 12, vol. 1, 1766, p. 328 

 (Virginia). 



This is one of the common winter residents among the North 

 American migrants. Carriker recorded them as common on his 

 arrival at Tres Zapotes in January and found them through the hills 

 up to the limit of open country at El Tular on Volcan San Martin. 

 They range along the lines of trees and thickets bordering the milpas 

 and penetrate thickets elsewhere where the light enters. In 1939 

 I saw several on April 13 on my last day afield. 



