7.7.6 Oberholser on the Genus Contopus. Toct 



Blacicus punensis {Lawrence). 



Contopus punensis Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. IX, 1869, 237. 

 Geog. Dist. — Puna Island, Ecuador. 



Undoubtedly a good species, though sometimes synonymized 

 with brachytarsus. 



Blacicus brachytarsus {Sclater). 



Empidonax brachytarsus Sclater, Ibis, 1S59, 441. 

 Contopus 5f/;o//« Lawrence, Ann. Lye. N. Y. IX, 1869, 202. 

 Geog. Dist. — Southeastern Mexico, from central Vera Cruz to Yucatan 

 and Cozumel Island. 



At least three species have, by some authors, been united under 

 B. brachytarsus, one of which (B '. punensis) has already been con- 

 sidered. Birds from the type locality of brachytarsus seem to be 

 identical with those from Yucatan and Cozumel Island, as already 

 shown by Mr. Ridgway, : so that Contopus schottii of Lawrence 

 becomes a synonym. 



Blacicus andinus (Taczanozvshi). 



Empidonax andinus Taczanowski, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1S74, 539. 

 Contopus depressirostris Ridgway, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. VI, 18S3, 403. 

 Geog. Dist. — Southern Mexico (Pacific side), Central America, and 

 South America east to Trinidad, south to Peru. 



This bird seems to be undoubtedly distinct from true brachy- 

 tarsus, with which it has usually been confounded. It is in color 

 much less clingy throughout, particularly below, where also it is 

 frequently less deeply yellowish ; and has, moreover, a shorter tail. 

 Specimens from northern South America appear to have longer 

 rictal bristles, and, in some details of coloration, to differ some- 

 what from Central American birds ; but as the material at hand 

 is not sufficient definitely to prove them separable, no distinction 

 is here made. The name andinus, based on specimens from Peru, 

 thus becomes the proper one for the species. Should it ever be 



1 Man. N. Am. Birds, 1887, 339. 



