DISTRIBUTION OF THE BIRDS OF VERA CRUZ. 551 



is found in the alpine region to the height of 2000 metres, and does not, I think, descend 

 below 1000 metres. It most especially frequents the plateau. 



85. Curvirostra americana. Vulg. Pico cruzado. Alpine region. I have obtained but a 

 single specimen of this species at Moyoapam, in the alpine region of Orizaba, at the height 

 of about 2500 metres. I do not know whether the species is resident, or whether it only 

 comes to us in the winter. 



86. Plectrophanes melanomus. Plateau. The great plains of the plateau are the usual 

 abode of this species ; from them it comes down to the distant intervals as far as Orizaba, 

 1220 metres. 



87. Junco cinereus. Vulg. Echa-lumbre, IxtentUnmyotzi. Alpine region. One of the most 

 characteristic species of the alpine region. It ascends to the height of 3500 metres, and 

 does not descend below 2000. Its common name, Echa-lumbre, signifies lightning-bird, 

 because it is the popular belief that its eyes are phosphorescent in the dark. 



88. Atlapetes pileatiis. Alpine region. Exclusively belonging to the alpine region, this 

 bird is common within the forests of pines and oaks, within the same extreme limits with 

 the preceding. 



89. Aimophila rufescens. Vulg. Lanjero. Temperate region. Common in the temperate 

 region, where it is most abundant between the height of 600 and 1500 metres. In the 

 upper alpine regions, that is, at a height between 3000 and 4000 metres, it is replaced by 

 another species, which I believe to be Aimophila superciliosa Sw. Its nest, which is found 

 quite frequently near Orizaba, is usually placed at the foot of a bush, and contains two eggs, 

 entirely white. It is in the nest of this bird that the Molothrus ceneus, which, as is well 

 known, imposes its offspring upon the cares of other birds, deposits its eggs, which are 

 white, like those of this A imopMla, but are larger and less oval. 



90. Peuccea Cassinii. Temperate region. Resident in the valley of Orizaba. 



91. Embernagra rufivirgata. Temperate and hot regions. I have found this species in 

 localities quite remote from each other, and belonging both to the hot and to the temperate 

 regions. In the latter itt is found to the height of at least 1200 metres. 



92. Guiraca melanocephala. Vulg. Guionchi Tigr'dlo. Alpine region and plateau. Quite 

 common on the plateau, this species is also found in the alpine region to the height of 2500 

 metres, and never comes down below 1200. 



93. Guiraca conereta. Hot region. Peculiar to the hot region, the limits of which it 

 rarely leaves. The hamlet of Penuela, near Cordova — about 750 metres — is the most 

 elevated point at which I have met with it in the department. 



94. Cyanospka parellina. Hot region. The geographical distribution of this species is 

 analogous to the preceding, and its elevation does not exceed 800 metres. 



95. Cyanospka versicolor. Vulg. Prusiano. I have had but few opportunities of ascer- 

 taining the geographic distribution of this species, which is quite rare in the State of Vera 

 Cruz, and is found near Orizaba. 



96. Spermophila corvina. Temperate region ? The few specimens of this rare species that 

 I have seen have been found near Orizaba. 



97. Spermophila Moreleiii. Vulg. Frailecito. Hot and temperate regions and plateau. 

 From all parts of the State of Vera Cruz, except perhaps the alpine region. It is also 

 found on the plateau. 



98. Sycalis chrgso2)S. Temperate region? I refer this species to the temperate region 



