92 



NORTH AMERICAN" BIRDS. 



M. Morelet, and was described from his specimens in the Paris Museum 

 by Prince Bonaparte. Mr. Salvin found it a not uncommon species about 

 Duefias, where it is generally to be found amongst the tall weeds on the 

 edge of the lake. It was also found at Belize. From a letter of Mr. Salvin, 

 published in the Ibis of 1859 (p. 468), we quote the following in reference 

 to the nest of this species, which is all the information we have in relation 

 to this diminutive Sparrow : " A day or two ago I found two nests of 

 Spermopliila mordeti, and took one rotten dried-up egg from one with a 

 vouno- one in it. Nothino; could be more different than this nest and that 

 of S. bicolor, so well described by Mr. Newton. That of >S'. morelcti, instead 

 of the loose domed structure of S. bicolor, with a large side-entrance, com- 

 posed entirely of one material, is one of the neatest nests you ever saw, — a 

 beautiful, open, transparent nest, composed of fine roots and fibres, and lined 

 with horsehair. It is not placed resting on a branch, but is suspended like 

 a Pteed Warbler's {Salicaria arundinacea), by several small twigs. The eggs; 

 too, differ materially." Mr. Salvin gives no description of these eggs. 



This bird was found a resident during the winter months, and in May also, 

 at Plaza Vicente, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. This is in the low or 

 hot lands of that region. 



Genus PHONIPARA, Bonap. 



Phonipara, Bonaparte, 1850. (Type, Loxia canora, Gm.) 



Gen. Char. Size very small. 



Phonipara zena. 



very large, and strongly curved. 



Wing considerably longer than the tail, but much 

 rounded; third or fourth quill longest; 

 first about equal to seventh. Tail very 

 slightly rounded, the feathers broad. Bill 

 very short and deep, but the depth through 

 the base less than the culmen ; culmen but 

 slightly, or not appreciably, curved ; bill 

 much compressed. Feet stout ; tarsi longer 

 than the middle toe ; outer toe longer than 

 the inner, its claw just reaching the base 

 of the middle claw ; hind toe with the claw 

 Among the least of American Fringillidce. 



The introduction of this genus into the North American fauna is the 

 result of Mr. Maynard's indefatigable labors in the exploration of Florida. 

 The species are principally West Indian, a single race alone belonging to 

 the continental portion of Middle America. 



Species and Varieties. 



Common Characters. Sexes very diflferont. Above olive-green, beneath 

 blackish or whitish. ^. Head and breast black, the former with or without 

 yellow patches. 9 with the yellow and black indicated only, or wanting. 

 Length, about 4.00. 



