notes on birds of central mexico, with descriptions of 

 forms believed to be new. 



By 



P. L. JOUY, 



The following notes on the birds of central Mexico are the result of 

 about twelve mouths' travel in tliat interesting country. Landing at 

 Tampico on the 1.3th of October, 1S91, a few days were spent in vigor- 

 ous battle with mosquitoes and in courteous intercourse with the custo- 

 dians of the custom house, who, thanks to the kindness of Sehor 

 Don Mateo Romero, passed all my luggage and collecting outfit through 

 without examination. Few birds were seen, the only species worthy of 

 mention being Corvus mexicanus and Milvuiusfoyficatus, which were not 

 observed at any other place. A deep narrow river empties into the 

 Gulf at Tampico, giving access to the interior of the country by means 

 of native dugout canoes. I was strongly advised by the United States 

 vice-consul, Mr. Presley, to make the trip some 40 or 50 miles uj) the 

 river, but fear of malaria and possibly '^ yellow jack" drove me to seek 

 a safer climate. I was assured that it was perfectly safe to spend the 

 winter months, that is from October to March, in the hot country by 

 using ordinary precautions in regard to diet and drink. By working 

 up and down the railroad considerable country could be covered with 

 little loss of time. 



Eighteen hours by the Mexican Central Railroad brings the traveler 

 through the tropics, where nature is most luxuriant, up through cooler 

 regions, across dashing mountain streams, through magnificent gorges, 

 and, finally, across arid plains to tbe city of San Luis Potosi, the 

 capital of the State of the same name. This, one of the largest and 

 most important cities of Mexico, has unrivaled railroad facilities, 

 being on the direct line of the Mexican National Road, running north 

 and south, and is the western terminus of the Tampico branch of tbe 

 Mexican Central. It also connects with the west by means of the 

 Aguas Calientes branch of the Mexican Central. It is thus easy to 

 reach the surrounding country, and, although the immediate neigh- 

 borhood of the city is uninviting, yet an hour's travel in almost any 

 direction takes the traveler into sparsely-wooded or hilly country, 

 where collecting is possible. 



Having paid my respects to the governor, Gen. Don Carlos Diez 

 Gutierrez, and presented my letters and credentials, T received, through 



Proceedinga ^National Museum, Vol. XVI — No. 975. 



771 



