[ 215 ] 



ART. XVII. — Remarks on the Birds observed i?i Upper California, rvith descriptions 

 of new species. By William Gambel, M. D. 



{Continued from page 56.) 



PIAYA, Less. 



111. P. CAYANENRis, Gamb. Cayenne Cuccoo. 



Cuculus cayanensis, Briss. Vol. iv. p. 122, (1760.) C. cayanus, Linn. Syst. 

 Nat. ed. 12th, (1766.) 



We found this beautiful bird common about the Gulf of California, particularly at 

 Mazatlan. 



There is a good deal of variation both in size and colour in this species, probably 

 dependant on age. The colour above on young birds is pale cinnamon, but in old 

 specimens it becomes of a much deeper reddish, with beautiful purple reflections. 

 The tail beneath also changes from the colour of the upper parts to nearly a pure 

 black. There is much variation also in the size of the bill, and length of wings and 

 tail; but one specimen which we have in the collection of the Academy, from 

 Surinam, exceeds all the others so much, that we purpose to make it different under 

 the name. 



P. MACROURA. Its total length is 22 inches, of which the tail is 15 inches : 



wings 6| inches : tarsus 1| inches. 



The plumage is almost exactly the same, though less tinged with red above, and 

 the front and top of head more inclined to dusky grey. Its broad expansive tail 

 presents beautiful purple reflections ; beneath it is almost black, each feather with a 

 white tip. 



GEOCOCCYX, Wagler. 



112. G. MEXiCANUs, Strick. Paisano. 



Phasianus mezicanus, Gmel. Lath. 



HoilMotl, Hernandez. Willoughby's Orn. p. 403. Ray. Syst. Av. p. 158. 



Cuculus viaticus, Licht. 



G. variegatus, Wagler. Isis, 1831. 



Saurothera marginata, Kaup. Isis, 1832. 



S. hottce, Blainville. Less. Traite d'Orn. i. p. 144. S. Californiana, Less 



55 



