GEOCOCCTX. 537 



cseruleo macula conspicua coccinea postiee ornato. Long, tota circa 18-5, ate 6-0, caud^ rectr. med. 11-0, 

 rectr. lat. 6-6, rostri a rictu 2-0, tarsi 2-0. (Deacr. exempl. ex San Geronimo, Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 



Hab. Mexico, Sierra de Alamos ( W. Lloyd), Presidio de Mazatlan [Forrer), Hacienda de 

 San Marcos, Zapotlan ( W. Lloyd), Volcan de Colima ( W. B. Richardson), Jalapa 

 [de Oca^, F. B. G.), Zentla, Huehuetlanio {Ferrari-Perez), Durasnal (Boucard^), 

 Morelia (le Strange), Juquila {Boucard% Soledad, Potrero, Juchitan, Cacoprieto 

 {Sumichrasf ^^), Sierra de S. Domingo, Tehuantepec {W. B. Richardson), Peto, 

 Temax, Izalam, Progreso, Rio Lagartos ^ ((?. F. Gamier), Tekanto {Stone & 

 Baker ^^); Guatemala^ generally ss, Vera Paz, hills above Quiche, Gorge of La 

 Campana Rio Chixoy, Duenas {0. S. & F. D. G.), San Geronimo {B. Owen^), 

 Toliman {W. B. Richardson); Nicaragua, San Rafael del Norte, Matagalpa 

 ( W. B. Richardson). 



This species, which Dr. Hartlaub separated from Geococcyw calif ornianus in 1844, has 

 a very similar general appearance to that bird, but is smaller, without stripes on the 

 middle of the breast, and has the under tail-coverts. dark brown. Its range extends 

 much further south, but in Western Mexico both species occur together over a 

 considerable area, reaching from the State of Sonora to that of Puebla. In Yucatan, 

 and thence southwards through Guatemala and as far as Northern Nicaragua, G. affinis 

 is found alone. 



Dr. Gaumer says^ it is a rather rare bird in Northern Yucatan, except at Rio 

 Lagartos, and may be generally seen perched upon the stone fences or upon some 

 elevated object, but rarely in trees. When startled it jumps quickly to the ground 

 and runs away, hiding itself in the thick undergrowth. Mr. Stone ^^ only met with it 

 in the scrubby woods about Tekanto, where a few individuals were seen running rapidly 

 through the bush, and when thus running they look very like the Iguanas which 

 abound in the district. We also noticed the likeness they have to the large lizards, 

 and in Guatemala they are in some places called "Iguana" and "Siguamonte" or 

 "Guarda camino." When riding along a road where these birds are found one may 

 be seen occasionally to cross the track rapidly, first peering out of the underwood 

 before making a rush, and now and then stopping to make a final survey just before 

 diving in again. The bird is not shy but inquisitive, and will often remain quite still 

 by the side of the path and watch a passer-by without alarm. 



Mr. Robert Owen ^ procured us a bird and four eggs from near San Geronimo, in 

 Guatemala, on 3rd April, 1860. The nest was placed in the fork of a tree about twelve 

 feet from the ground, and was a loose unfinished-looking structure consisting of a few 

 dried twigs and lined with stalks of grass. The eggs are pure white with a smooth 

 surface, and measure 1'45 X 1"05 inch. 



The large space round the eye in life is of a chalky bluish-white colour, and has at 

 its further end a large crescent-shaped patch of vermilion. The legs are of a slate- 

 colour. 



BIOL. CBNTR.-AMBR., Aves, Vol. II., June 1896. 68 



