92 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



^I. Moielt't, and was (lesciibed from his si)ecirneiis in the Paris Museum 

 by rrince Hunapartt', Mr. Salvin found it a not uncommon si)ecies about 

 Dui'iias, wliere it is fjenerally to be found amongst the tall weeds on the 

 edge of tlie lake. It wtis also found at Belize. From a letter of Mr. Salvin, 

 published in the Il)is of 1859 (p. 468), we (|Uote the following in reference 

 to the nest of this species, which is all the information we have in relation 

 to this diminutive Si)arrow : "A day or two ago I found two nests of 

 SpermopJiila iiioirlcti, and took one rotten dried-up egg from one with a 

 voung one in it. Nothing could be more different than this nest and that 

 of aS'. hico/or, so well described by Mr. Newton. That of iS. morelcti, instead 

 of the loose domed structure of S. bicolor, with a large side-entrance, com- 

 posed entirely of one material, is one of the neatest nests you ever saw, — a 

 beautiful, (jpen, tmnsparent nest, composed of fine roots and fibres, and lined 

 with horseliair. It is not placed resting on a branch, but is suspended like 

 a Keed Warbler's {Salicaria arundiuacea), by several small twigs. The eggs, 

 too, differ materially." Mr. Salvin gives no description of these eggs. 



This bird was found a resident during the winter months, and in May also, 

 at Plaza Vicente, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. This is in the low or 

 hot lands of that region. 



Gexus PHONIPARA, Bonap. 



.nullipara, BonaI'AUTE, 1850. (Type, Loxia canora, Gm.) 



Gex. Chah. Size very small. Wiiiir eoiisiderably lonjrer than the tail, but much 



rounded ; third or fourth quill longest ; 

 first about equal to seventh. Tail very 

 slitrhtlv rounded, the feathers broad. Bill 

 very short and deep, but the depth through 

 the base less than the culmen ; culmen but 

 slightly, or not appreciably, curved; bill 

 nmch compressed. Feet stout; tarsi longer 

 than the middle toe ; outer toe longer than 

 the inner, its claw just reaching the base 

 Phonipara zena. ^^ ^j^^ m\M\e. claw ; hind toe with the claw 



very large, and strongly curved. Among the least of American Fringillidce. 



The introduction of this genus into the North American fauna is the 

 result of Mr. Maynard's indefatigable labors in the exploration of Florida. 

 The species are principally West Indian, a single race alone belonging to 

 the continental portion of Middle America. 



Species and Varieties. 



Common Characters. Sexes very different. Above olive-green, beneath 

 blackish or whitish. ^. Head and breast black, the former with or without 

 yello^v patches. 9 ^^''^'^ the yellow and black indicated only, or wanting. 

 Length, about 4.(M>. 



