18/8.J MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM COSTA RICA. 57 



144. Zonotrichia vulcani, sp. n. (Plate IV.) 

 Supra cinereo-olivacea, pileo, dorso alis et cauda pallide nigris, 

 plumarum marginibus olivuscentibus, secundariorum dorso proxi- 

 morum marginibus externis rufis ; subtus plumbescenti-cinerea 

 unicolor, rostro et pedibus pallide flavis. 



Forehead olivaceous grey, with the central extremity of each fea- 

 ther nearly black ; back and wing-coverts of the same colour, but 

 the black is darker and very conspicuous in each feather ; tail-coverts 

 olivaceous ; upper surface of the tail almost black, with olivaceous 

 fringes ; underside uniform plumbeous grey, slightly darker on the 

 breast and sides of the abdomen ; under tail-coverts olivaceous grey ; 

 underside of the wings and tail about the same grey as the abdomen,' 

 with silky reflections ; primaries and tertiaries black, with olivaceous 

 fringes ; secondaries with the fringes wider and rufous in the upper 

 part ; the upper mandible of the beak nearly red, then black, with 

 white tip ; under mandible fleshy yellow ; toes of the same colour. 

 Full length 6| inches, wing 3§, tail 3. 



There is no difference whatever between the male and female, 

 except that the latter is a trifle smaller. 



The young is very much like young of Junco, Peucea or Melo- 

 spiza ; the upperside and underside are olivaceous grey, with the 

 centre of each feather black ; the fringes of the upper wing-coverts 

 are wider than in the adult specimens and more rufous. 



Several specimens, from the Volcano of Irazu, obtained at the alti- 

 tude of 10,000 feet. 



145. Zonotrichia pileata, Bodd. 



Many specimens, from San Jose', Cartago, Sarzero, and Volcano of 

 Irazu. Vulgarly called "Come-maiz" (Eat-maize), because they are 

 very injurious to the maize-plantation crops. It is met everywhere, 

 even in the gardens, and takes the place in America of the Passer 

 domesticus'm Europe. I have seen them at nearly all altitudes. 

 The eggs of this bird are green, with rufous spots all over at the 

 broader end. 



Subfamily Cyanospizinje. 



146. VOLATINIA JACARINA, L. 



San Jose, March. 



147. Cyanospiza ciris, L. 



One specimen from Tres Rios, January. Obtained in a curious 

 way. Having shot what I thought to be Cyanospiza cyanea, I could 

 not find my bird where I thought I saw it fall, but during my search 

 I found this specimen of Cyanospiza ciris, quite dead. It was so 

 thin that it had evidently died from cold and hunger ; and I attribute 

 to this fact the body not being decomposed, as I have no doubt that 

 it had been dead for some time. I took great care in skinning the 

 bird ; and I had the satisfaction to make a fine skin of it, which 

 is now exhibited. 



