Plate XLIII. 



MELANOTIS HYPOLEUCUS. 



(WHITE-BREASTED MOCKING BIED). 



Melanotis liypoleucus . . . Hartl. Rev. Zool. 1852, p. 460. 



„ „ ... Scl. and Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 7. 



... Scl. P.Z.S. 1859, p. 337, et Cat. Am. Birds, p. 7. 



„ „ ... Baird, Eev. Am. B. i. p. 57. 



Schistaceo-cceruleus, loris et capitis lateribus cum alis et cauda intw nigris : subtus candidus, hypochondriis et Jf/ "^^^ 



crisso dorso concoloribus : rostro et pedibus nigris : long, tota lO'O, alas 4'3, caudae 5'0. Pullus nigricans fere unicolor, 

 subtus albo variegatus. 



Hab. iu Gruatemala. 



This southern representative of the well knoTvn Mexican M. coerulescens is one of the most 

 characteristic species of the highlands of Guatemala, being seldom found at an elevation 

 below 3,500 feet, which is also about the lower limit of the evergreen Oaks ( Quercus) in that 

 country. In the vicinity of Duenas (nearly 5,000 feet above the sea-level) it is by no means 

 uncommon, frequenting the thick bushes and underwood. It is shy, and eludes observation 

 rather by skulking than by flight. Its song in February is short and disjointed, but a little 

 later, towards the breeding season^ improves in quality. About the month of May it forms a 

 slight nest placed in a thick bush, some nine or ten feet above the ground. The structure 

 is formed of small twigs and lined with fine roots. The eggs are three in number — rather 

 elongated in form and of a uniform greenish blue in colour. They measure axis 1'2 

 diameter 0'95. In July, 1859, Salvin shot a young bird of this species, which had. apparently 

 just left the nest. Be.sides the vicinity of Duenas this Mock-bird is also found in the elevated 

 parts of Vera Paz. Specimens were obtained by Salvin at San Geronimo, and again in the 

 vicinity of Coban — in both of which localities it appeared to be abundant. ' 



The Melanotis hypoleucus was first described by Dr. Hartlaub in 1852 from specimens sent 

 by M. Gadechens to the Museum at Hamburgh. It forms a second species of the genus 

 Melanotis^ the type of which is M. ccerulescens of Mexico. In form it perfectly agrees with the 

 latter, but is readily distinguishable by the pure white colour of the body below. 



Our figures of this bird are taken from skins in the collection of Messrs. Salvin and 

 Godman — the immature bird being the individual above alluded to, shot near Duenas lq 

 1859. 



April, 1S6S. 



[85] 



