294 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Mexico. Though we know of no specimens having been procured on this 

 side of the boundary line, their occurrence is quite probable. Lieutenant 

 Couch met with this species near Monterey, Mexico, and from thence west 

 to Parras. He describes it as being gregarious and eminently Jay-like 

 in its habits. They are very noisy and vociferous in their outcries, and 

 three or four of them suffice to keep a whole forest in an uproar. Near 

 Guyapuco a large snake (Georgia ohsoleta) was seen pursued by three or four 

 of this species. The reptile was making every effort to escape from their com- 

 bined attacks, and would, no doubt, have been killed by them, had they not 

 been interfered with. The cause of so much animosity against the snake 

 was explained when, on opening its stomach, three young of this species, 

 about two thirds grown, were found. 



In the Department of Vera Cruz, Sumichrast found what he calls C. 

 ultramarina in company with Cyanura coronata and Cyanocitta nana, " cali- 

 fornica" (Sumichrasti), and sordida, occurring in the alpine region, and 

 with the three first named restricted to that locality. The limit of their 

 extension is about that of the alpine region, that is, from an elevation- of 

 about 4,500 feet to the height of 10,500 feet. The sordida is also found on 

 the plateau. 



Genus XANTHOURA, Bonap. 



Xanthoura, Bonaparte, Consp. Av. 1850. (T3'pe, " Corvtis pcmvianus, Gm.") 



Char. Head without crest. Throat black. Lateral tail-feathers bright yellow. Bill 

 very stout, rather higher than broad ; culrnen curved from the base. Nostrils rather small, 



Xanthnvra hixuosa. 



oval, concealed by a nasal tuft varying in length with species. Tail longer than the 

 wings ; graduated. The wings concave, rounded ; the secondaries nearly as long as the 

 primaries. Legs very stout ; hind claw about half the total length of the toe. 



The genus Xantlioura is composed of three so-called species, of different 

 geographical distribution, and exliibits a progressive change from one to 

 the other, with variation of latitude that enforces assent to the hypothesis 



