DISTRIBUTION OF THE BIRDS OF VERA CRUZ. 543 



5. Tardus assimilis Cab. Vulg. Mislo. Primavera cle collar. Temperate and hot region. 

 Judging from the large number of localities in which this species is found in the State of 

 Vera Cruz, it must have a very extended area of distribution, — restricted, however, in the 

 hot and temperate regions to an altitude of 1300 metres, — for I have procured specimens 

 on the Gulf coast, in the forests of Muero, at Potrero, near Cordova (590 metres), at Orizaba 

 (1220 metres), etc. Although a sedentary bird, it is not always to be found in the same 

 localities, but changes its residence frequently, influenced by the ripening of the berries 

 upon which it feeds. 



6. TurJus Graiji Bp. Vulg. Primavera. Hot and temperate regions. Perhaps the most 

 abundant of all the Mexican Tardidce, and resident in the hot and temperate regions. I do 

 not believe that it reaches the height of 1300 metres. 



7. Tardus rmgrcdorius. Vulg. Primavera real. Alpine region. I place this species anion ti- 

 the resident birds of this department from the fact of my having, in the month of July, 

 1868, found its young in large numbers among the mountains of Orizaba at an altitude of 

 about 2400 metres. It is one of the most abundant of the thrushes in the alpine region, 

 especially frequenting the clearings and the natural openings in the midst of the forests of 

 pine, which it animates by its lively manners and the sweetness of its notes. A single in- 

 stance is mentioned of its occurrence, during the past ten years, near the city of Orizaba. 



8. Tardus infuscatus Lafr. Vulg. Primavera del Monle. Temperate and alpine regions. 

 The lower portions of the arctic region and the upper and wooded part of the temperate 

 are the favorite resort of this thrush. It is quite common in these localities at the foot of 

 the mountains, at an elevation varying from 1250 to 2500 metres. 



9. Turdm •pinicola. Alpine region. I have in a single instance found this rare thrush at 

 Moyoapam, in the mountains, north of the valley of Orizaba, at the height of some 2500 

 metres, in the pine woods. 



10. Haiporhynchus Imgirostris. Temperate region. Quite common in the Orizaba district, 

 at the height of from 1000 to 2000 metres. 



11. Mimas poly rjlottus. Vulg. Cenzontle. Hot and temperate regions. The Mocking-bird 

 is one of the few species that are found equally abundant in localities the most widely differ- 

 ent both as to height and climate. It is, in fact, to be found from the Gulf shores as far up 

 as the great plains of the plateau, but always only in the more open portions. It nests in 

 the neighborhood of Orizaba. 



12. Melanotis cceridesccns. Vulg. Malalo. Temperate region. Common in the temperate 

 region, but passing beyond its bounds in each direction, being found in certain localities in 

 the hot region and in the alpine region to an altitude of at least 1300 metres. 



Ilarporhjnclms curvirostris I have never met with except on the plateau of Mexico, 

 and though it may be found at a few elevated points of the department of Vera Cruz. I am 

 yet of the belief that the localities (Mirador, Cordova, and Orizaba) cited in the "Review of 

 North American Birds," page 45, maybe incorrect. At any rate, they only indicate its true 

 centre of habitation to be the central plateau where it nests. 



To the preceding species, which I regard as resident in this department, I will here add 

 the following which occur only as transient visitors : 



Tardus mustelinus. 



Tardus fuscescens. A small Hi/locklda, of which I never met with but a single specimen, 

 several years since in the hot region, seems to me to have presented all the characteristics 



