iq5 Nelson, iVi9zfe5 on Mexican Birds. 1_ April 



In order to render some of this information available to those 

 interested I have prepared the following notes. In connection 

 with the extension of the range of various species previously 

 unknown north of Guatemala it may be stated that the- highlands 

 of Chiapas are a continuation of the elevated interior of the 

 former country. The climate and vegetation of the two districts 

 are essentially the same, and they are so much alike in general 

 character that an equally close similarity is to be expected in the 

 bird life. 



Oreophasis derbianus Gray. — We found this magnificent bii-d in the 

 heavy forest on the west base of the Volcano of Santa Maria, near Que- 

 zaltenango, Guatemala, and again in the similar forests below Pinabete, 

 Chiapas. Previously it has been recorded, I believe, only from the 

 Volcano de Fuego, Guatemala. 



Penelopina nigra {Fras.). — This beautiful species was not uncom- 

 mon in the dense forest at Tumbala, Chiapas. Like the preceding 

 species it was known previously only from Guatemala. 



Pharomacrus mocinno De La Llave. — A pair of Qj.ietzals was seen 

 near Tumbala, in eastern Chiapas, Avhere they were reported to be 

 resident in small numbers. I heard of them again in the mountain 

 forests east of Tuxtla, Chiapas. 



Sittasomus sylvioides Lafr. — A single specimen was taken on 

 March 17, 1897, at San Sebastian in western Jalisco, where it was very 

 uncommon. This is its first record for northwestern Mexico. 



Pachyrhamphus major {Cab.). — A single specimen was obtained by 

 us at Plomosas, Sinaloa, July 14, 1897, and adds the species to the fauna 

 of this part of Mexico. 



Pyrgisoma rubricatum xantusi {Larvr.). — Pyrgisoma xantiisi was 

 described by Mr. Lawrence (Ann. Lye. N. Y., VIII, 480, 1866) from a 

 specimen taken by Xantus in the mountains of Colima. The type is in 

 the National Museum and agrees with a large series of specimens from 

 various localities between Colima and Mazatlan in western Mexico. 

 These birds are distinguished from those found in southern Puebla, 

 supposed to be typical, by their decidedly larger size and much browner 

 colors. The difference is sutficient to distinguish them from the typical 

 form as a well marked geographical race. I have specimens of P. r. 

 xatttusi before me from the States of Colima, Jalisco, Sinaloa and the 

 Territory of Tepic. 



The general resemblance is so close between the figure of Pyrgisotna 

 kieneri Bp., in the 'Exotic Ornithology' (p. 130, pi. 65), and some of 

 the larger specimens of Pyrgisonta rubricatum xantusi that it leads me 

 to have a strong suspicion of their identity. Pyrgisoma kietieri vf&s pub- 

 lished in a signature of the ' Conspectus Avium ' (I, p. 486), dated July 20, 



