PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 405 



of black ; abdomen and flanks irregularly variegated with rusty and 

 dusky : crissum nearly immaculate ocliraceous. Hump and upper tail- 

 coverts ocliraceous, marked with arrow-heads and connected bars of 

 dusky ; basal half of tail rufous, crossed by several narrow bauds of 

 black, these narrower on the inner webs, which are ochraceous instead 

 of rufous f terminal half of tail dusky black, the tip (narrowly) ochra- 

 ceous. Back, sca])ulars, and wings rich chestnut-rufous, each feather 

 dusky centrally ; the tertials and inner secondaries crossed by narrow 

 bars of dusky ; primaries and outer secondaries nearly uniform black. 

 Bill entirely black; "cere black; iris brown; legs and feet very pale 

 tiesh-color"; claws black. Wing 14.50, tail 8.50, culmen 1.10, tarsus 

 3.40, middle toe 1.80.— R. R.J 



This bird I fouud to be abundant in the vicinity of the "Zapotal," a 

 large fresh-wat^r lagoon. It is exceedingly fearless, so far as man is 

 coucerned, although this may be due to the fact that it has not yet 

 learned to fear him. 



Two specimens. 



No. 150. — juv. April 1. 



J^o. 157. $ ad. April 1. 



68. Gyparchus papa (LiDu.)- 



Rather rare. Local name "Rey de Zopilotes," or Kiug of the Vul- 

 tures. One specimen, found dead. It was in such a condition that it 

 would have been unsafe to attempt to skin it. The followiug notes were 

 taken : Shoulders, lower neck, back, and below yellowish white. Tail, 

 rump, and remiges black. Bare i)arts red. Iris white. 



69. Cathartes aura (Linu.). 

 Common. Xone secured. 



70. Catharista atrata (Bartr.). 



The most efficient scavenger of tropical regions. These vultures are 

 probably the most useful birds in existence. Indeed, they are absolutely 

 indispensable in hot regions, where, in many instances, pestilence is 

 doubtless averted by their valuable presence. 



71. Tachypetes aquila (Liuu.), 

 Abundant on the shores of the gulf. 



72. Pelecanus fuscus Linn. 

 Abundant along the entire coast. 



73. Sulaleucogastra (Bodd.). 



" Booby Gannet." Seems to be common all along the Pacific coast of 

 Central America. 



74. Plotus aiihinga Liuu. 



Abundant, especially in the neighborhood of the "Zapotal," the la- 

 goon where most of my water birds were secured. This bird has the 



