CORVIDyE — THE CROWS. 305 



wiMi a fulvous tinj:je on tho broast, the liill aii<l foot yellow. In both the 

 under surface of tail is brown to the end. In '2o,\)n the under parts, from 

 breast to crissuni inclusive, with the tibia?, are brownish-white, the tail- 

 feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an inch, tiie 

 bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull bluish wash or 

 patcli along the featiiei's of the ramus of lower jaw not observed in other 

 s])(!cimens. 



The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and descrilied in the racitlc 

 llailroad lieport are consideral)ly smaller, and exhibit other differences which 

 may prove of specific importance. In this case they will appropriatcdy bear 

 Iiiil)l)eirs name of /*. mixicrtiius. 



ILvr.rr.s. This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its movements 

 as far north as the valley of the liio Grande, and probably crossing our lines 

 into Texas, although of this there is as yet no positive evidence. 



Specimens of tiiis species were procured by Lieutenant C'ouch at I>o(piillo, 

 San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Alex ico, and were found by him 

 living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its habits, being decidedly 

 gregarious, and having Iiarsh and loud note's. Though making more noise 

 than any other bird in the neigldjorhood, if one of their number is brought 

 down by the discharge of a gtui, the noise inishes them at once, and the rest 

 mma oil" in perfect silence. 



IMr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera 

 Cruz, states that tliis species abounds in both the hot and the temperate 

 regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater ])ortions of Vera Cruz. 

 He s]H'aks of it as a Ijird well known and generally detested on accouTit of 

 its troublesome ami noisy habits. It is found everywhere except in the 

 aljiine region, and it does not appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation 

 of 4,000 feet. Tliis gentleman has been assured that tiie bird never makes 

 any nest of its own, luit invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other 

 Ijirds. He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea 

 that this -lay appropriates the nests of otlier bii'ds in which to liatch its own 

 young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be brought up l)y 

 strangers. 



This Jay was met with 'iy Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras ; and 

 from that place eastwaiu, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very common. 

 It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the roadsides. It 

 was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern road between Quiriijua 

 and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala. 



Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and 

 the IJelize. It occiirred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and annoyed 

 the hunter by always giving the alarm. 



vol.. II, 39 



