PERISSOOLOSSA. 



181 



third), and deeply lacerated or fringed externally at the end; the edge along 

 the median portion folded over on the upper surface, but not adherent. 



On page 161 I have given the reasons for considering "Dendroica 

 tigrina" as the type of a special genus of Bijlvicolidee, and for re- 

 taining it ill this family rather than placing it in Ceerebidae, to which 

 there is so much apparent resemblance in the tongue. In the struc- 

 ture and character of this organ the species differs very widely from 

 other members of the family, as is shown in the cuts on page 1C3 

 aceonipiuiying those remarks. 



The curvature of the bill in Perissoglossa tigrina is quite peculiar 

 among the Sylvicolidse with notched bills. Some Helminthojihagas 

 (without notch) approximate +'iis character ; though in none, except- 

 ing R bachviani, is it in equal amount — all the others having the 

 gonys very slightly convex, instead of straight or even slightly con- 

 cave. It will be of much interest to examine the tongue of H. 

 bachmam, should the opportunity ever offer, as it is quite likely to 

 exhibit some noteworthy feature. 



The peculiarities of the tongue of P. tigrina, and its supposed 

 relationships to Certhiola, were first brought to notice by Mr. Gosse. 



Perissoglossa tigrina. 



Motacilla tigrina, Gmelin, S. N. I, 1788, 985. — Sylvia tig. Lath. — Den- 

 droica tig. Baird, Birds N. Am. 1858, 286. — Sclater, Catal. 1801, 

 33, no. 198; P. Z. S. 1861,71 (Jamaica; April).— March, Pr. A. N. 

 Sc. 1863, 293 (Jamaica; breeds).— A. % E. Newton, Ibis, 1859, 144 

 (St. Croix. Notes on anatomy of tongue). — Qundlach, Cab. Jour. 

 1861, 326 (Cuba ; not rare). 



Syhna maritima, W^ilson, Am. Orn. VI, 1812, 99, pi. liv, fig. 3. — Box. ; 

 NuTT. ; Add. Orn. Biog. V, pi. 414.— D'Orb. La Sagra's Cub. 1840, 

 70, pi. X. — Si/lvicola mar. j..rd., Bon., Al'D., B. A. II, pi. 85. — Cer- 

 thiola mar. OossE, Birds Jam. 1847, 81. — Ib. Illust. — Rhitnavplms 

 mar. Cab. Jour. Ill, 1855, 474 (Cuba). 



Hab. Eastern province of United States, north to Lake Winnipeg and Moose 

 Factory ; all the We^t Indies to St. Croix. Breeds in Jamaica. Not recorded 

 from Mexico or Central America. 



It i'i an interesting fact in the history of this bird, that it breeds 

 in Jamaica — specimens of the eggs, as well as of the bird itself, 

 killed in June, July, and August, having been transmitted by Mr. 

 March. Tliese appear to have longer wings, a larger wiiite spot on 

 the tail feathers, and more orange-brown on the throat than I re- 

 menil)ri to have seen in North American birds ; but better specimens 

 will be required to substantiate any real difference. 



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