Iq6 Oberholser, Revievj of the Genus Catherpes. Ta't' 



A REVIEW OF THE GENUS CATHERPES. 



BY HARRY C. OBERHOLSER. 



Identification of the Texas Canon Wrens has involved a 

 canvass of the entire group, the results of which investigation are 

 presented herewith. 



The genus Catherpes Baird ^ is a very well-defined one, of which 

 there seem to be five recognizable forms, all, without doubt, sub- 

 species of Catherpes mexicanus . 



Catherpes mexicanus mexicanus {Swainson). 



Tkryothorus mexicanus Swainson, Zool. Illustr. Ser. 2, I, 1829, pi. xi. 

 Troglodytes nuirarius Lichtenstein, Preis-Verz. Mex. Vogel, 1830, 

 No. 80. 



Thriothorus guttulatus Lafresnaye, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 99. 



Chars, subsp. — Largest and darkest, the depth of color especially 

 noticeable on the upper surface. 



Type locality. — Real del Monte, Hidalgo, Mexico. 



Geographical distribution. — Tableland of Mexico, excepting the north- 

 ern portion. 



This essentially Mexican race occurs nowhere in the United 

 States, all records to such effect belonging under the other forms. 



Catherpes mexicanus albifrons {Giratid). 



Certhia albifrons GiRAUD, Descr. Sixteen Species North Am. Birds, 

 1841, p. 31. 



Chars, subsp. — Similar to Catherpes mexicajius mexicanus, but rather 

 smaller, except the bill; and decidedly paler above, the head more grayish. 



Type locality. — "Texas" [probably northeastern Mexico]. 



Geographical distribution. — States of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and prob- 

 ably Tamaulipas, Mexico; north to Texas at the mouth of the Pecos River. 



~ 1 Pac. R. R. Rep., IX, 1858, p. 356 (type Thryothorus mexicanus Swain- 

 son). 



