132 
ORNITHOLOGIST 
[Vol. 11-No. 9 


the spots pretty evenly distributed over the entire 
surface of the egg. Measurements were as fol- 
lows: .67x.50, .66x.50, .65x.49, .65x.46. 
; SYLVANIA CANADENSIS. 
Canada Flycatcher. 
This is another of the species which prefer the 
higher ranges of the mountains. It was first 
seen in Monroe County on April 21st. At that 
date it was common in the valleys and borders of 
cultivated fields. Ina short time their numbers 
diminished in such places, and on search I found 
them in the hard wood growth on the mountain 
sides, at about 2,500 feet, where they were seen 
industriously foraging for insects. By the first 
of May scarcely any were to be found in the 
lower valleys and their range had extended up to 
about 4,000 feet. During the second week in May 
they appeared to be mating and were often heard 
at their best in song. In early morning a male 
would mount to some convenient limb and pour 
out his simple, pleasing melody; at the first out- 
burst of his song, other males perhaps fearing lest 
some rival would gain an advantage, would fly to 
similar positions and each would evidently strive 
to outdo his neighbor, then suddenly the concert 
would cease and they would join the females on 
the ground or lower branches, until some one 
would renew the declaration of his passion, when 
all would join in one wild-wood’s chorus. By the 
last of May these warblers were evidently settled 
for the summer, and I was surprised to note the 
extent of country they occupied, being found 
from the mountain tops down to 2,500 feet—the 
majority seeming to frequent the rhododendron 
thickets at about 3,500 feet. During the eleven 
years I have annually visited some portions of 
this county I have found several nests of this bird. 
The nest is more shabbily built than one would 
suppose such a dainty creature would mould. 
The best specimen of their architecture I have 
ever seen was a nest composed of small leaves, 
very fine bark shreds, with a few fine rootlets, 
and a few horse hairs. All grades from the above 
have been noticed, down to one scarcely more 
than a mere hollow, in a bunch of dry leaves, 
caught at the foot of a clump of berry bushes, 
lined with a few rootlets. The eggs are to my 
eye very handsome. A set taken June 6, 1886, 
are white, spotted with well defined specks of 
different shades of brown, some grading into a 
purplish tint, tending to congregate into a wreath 
about the larger end. In other sets the eggs are 
spotted over the entire surface. Dimensions of 
above set: .76x.57, .76x.56, .74x.54, .75x.54.' An- 
other set taken June 4, 1888, contained one pure 
white egg. Measurements. of the set of four as 
follows: .74x.53, .74x.52, .73x.52, .69x.48. The 
white egg being the smallest. 
(To be continued.) 
Notes on Some Birds of the United 
States which Occur in the Mexi- 
can Fauna. 
BY JUAN RENARDO. 
(Translated from the Author’s MSS., by F. H. Carpenter. ] 
(Continued from Page 117.) 
Vireo flavoviridis, (Yellow-green Vireo). Not 
commonly observed. Specimens were collected 
at Tampico and Merida in the autumn. Have 
seen them in summer very near the Rio Grande, 
where they probably breed. 
Vireo gilous, (Warbling Vireo). Often observed 
in numbers about Tampico, and in winter as far 
south as Merida they are common. 
Vireo solitarius, (Blue-headed Vireo). I did not 
observe this bird as frequently as one would sup- 
pose. A few were taken along the Rio Grande in 
late autumn. In mid-winter I have seen them 
between Merida and Gautemala. 
Vireo solitarius cassinti, (Cassin’s Vireo). Two 
were taken near Guaymas in summer which bore 
marks of breeding. They are fairly common in 
autumn when passing south. 
Vireo atricapillus, (Black-capped Vireo). Com- 
mon in the breeding season. Have found nests in 
the Rio Grande valley. Seen in winter about 
Campeche. 
Phainopepla nitens, (Phainopepla). Nothwith- 
standing the reports of this species being common 
in this country, my only specimen noted is the 
one sent, which was taken about ten miles from 
Tampico. 
Tachycineta thalassina, (Violet-green Swallow). 
Seen on the high mesas in summer. They breed 
near the Rio Grande in the dead trees, caused 
by the over-flow of water. 
Progne subis, (Purple Martin). Common in 
flocks in autumn and spring near Tampico. Some 
are seen in winter near Merida, 
Piranga ludoviciana, (Louisiana Tanager). Quite 
common about Campeche in early winter, but 
very shy and difficult of approach. 
Huphonia elegantissima, (Blue-headed  Eu- 
phonia). The specimen sent was taken at Saltillo, 
May, 1883. 
Passerina versicolor, (Varied Bunting). A com- 
mon resident. Breeds. Observed at Merida in 
winter. 

Passerina cyanea, (Indigo Bunting). One taken 
at Campeche in winter. Not often observed. 
* Guiraca cerula, (Blue Grosbeak). This species 
breeds along the Rio Grande in limited numbers. 
It occurs about Merida in winter. 
Habia melanocephala, (Black-headed Grosbeak). 
