OALEOSCOPTES — MELANOPTILA. 



55 



Collected by 



tion varies somewhat. Ilocky Mountain specimens appear a little 

 larger tlian others. The emallest is 29,222, from Orizaba; in this 

 the wing measures 3.40, the tail 3.80. A female, 10,352, from 

 Florida, is also very small. There is considerable difference in tho 

 length and thickness of the bill in dilferent specimens. In somo 

 specimens the tarsal scutella) are perfectly well defined, in others 

 indistinct on the sides of the tarsus. 



(1,12.1.) 9; 11.00; 3.50. (10,3.02.) 8.25. (11,683.) 8.00. (13,137.) With egija, 2,208. (»,280.) 

 Eyes brown. 



MELANOPTILA, Sclatek. 

 Melanoptila, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1857, 275. (Type M. glabrirostris.) 



As there is but % single known species of this genus, I give the 

 generic characters with the specific. 



' Columbia, 



melanoptila glabrirostris. 



Melanoptila glabrirostris, Sclater, P. Z. S. 1857, 276 (Omoa, Hondura.9, 

 with figure of head and wing). — In. 1859, 337.— Ib. Catal. Am. 

 Birds, 18(J1, 7, no. 41.— Sclater & Salvin, Ibis, I, 1859, 7. 



Hab. Honduras. 



Bill shorter than the head ; quite similar in shape to that of Mimus caro- 

 liiiensi:!, but apparently without any trace of rictal bri.stle8 (the specimen 

 before me has the tip broken so tliat I am unable to speak as to the notch). 



Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe and claw, scutellate on the 'anterior 

 half, though not very distinctly ; claws rather weak. 



Wings broad, much roumled, a little shorter than the tail ; secondaries 

 elongated, longer than the 2d quill ; 5th and tith quills longest, forming the 

 middle of a gentle curve with the 3d and 4th on one side; the 7th and 8th 

 on the other; 2d quill shorter than the 9th, and rather less than secondurie.-t ; 



