iSqi.l CiiKRRii': on (I Sii/'f'oscd Nc-c \fvrincclza. ^^QT 



neck white, with a yellowish tint toward the shoulders. This is 

 the permanent plumage of the oldest birds. During the moult 

 occur transitions between the ditlerent phases of coloring. 



DESCRIPTION OF A SUPPOSED NEW MYRMECIZA. 



BY (JEORGE K. CIIERRIE. 



There are in the collection of the Museo Nacional twenty 

 specimens referable to the genus Myrmeciza. Thirteen of these 

 come from the eastern side of the great mountain range, and 

 seven from the Pacific lowlands. The form from the Pacific side 

 I suppose to be new. However, without either works of refer- 

 ence or authentically identified specimens, I can feel no certainty 

 about which form really is M. i/nmaciilaia. I do not even know 

 from what locality the type specimen of inimaculata came. 

 My supposition that the Pacific foini is the new one is 

 based on Mr. Ridgway's note under Myrmeciza itmuaculata 

 in a paper "On a collection of birds from the Hacienda la Pnlma, 

 Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica," by C. C. Nutting. (Proc. U. S. 

 Nat. Mus., Vol. V, 1SS2, p. 39S.) Mr. Ridgway says: "The 

 female from La Palma is referred doubtfully to this species. It 

 differs markedly from three other Costa Rican specimens, from 

 the Atlantic coast, in having the jugulum and breast bright 

 chestnut instead of dull chestnut brown, but I am una])le to detect 

 any other differences." 



With the small series of specimens I have before me, other 

 slight differences are discernible in coloration, besides a decided' 

 difference in size, as will be shown in the following descriptions 

 and tables of measurements. 



In case the western form may prove to be new, I would suggest 

 the name occidcntalis* and characterize the form as follows : 



Myrmeciza immaculata occidcntalis suV)sp. nov. 



Male (No. 1352, Museo Nacional, Pozo Aziil, January, 1SS7, Jose C 

 Zeliicion). — Above: whole head slate-black; back, a rather dark vandyke 

 brown, the wings and tail with a more dusky shading. Below: throat 



* I employ the name occidentalism at the suggestion of Mr. )os6 C. Zelcdon, as inui- 

 cative of the locality. 



