QALEOSCOPTES — MELANOPTILA. 



55 



tion varies somewhat. Rocky Mountain specimens appear a little 

 larger than others. The smallest is 29,222, from Orizaba; in this 

 the wing measures 3.40, the tail 3.80. A female, 10,352, from 

 Florida, is also very small. There is considerable difference in the 

 length and thickness of the bill in different specimens. In some 

 specimens the tarsal scutellae are perfectly well defined, in others 

 indistinct on the sides of the tarsus. 



(1,123.) 9; 11.60; 3.50. (10,332.) 8.25. 

 Eyes brown. 



(11,888.) 8.60. (13,137.) With eggs, 2,258. (5,285.) 



MELANOPTILA, Sclatbe. 

 Melanoptila, SclAter, P. Z. S. 1857, 275. (Type M. glabrirostris.) 



As there is but a single known species of this genus, I give the 

 generic characters with the specific. 



Melanoptila glabrirostris. 



Melanoptila glabrirostris, Sclateh, P. Z. S. 1857, 275 (Omoa, Honduras, 

 with figure of head and wing). — Ib. 1859, 337. — Is. Catal. Am. 

 Birds, 1861, 7, no. 41.— Sclatee & Salvik, Ibis, I, 1859, 7. 



Hah. Honduras. 



Bill shorter than the head ; quite similar in shape to that of Mimus caro- 

 linensis, but apparently without any trace of riotal bristles (the specimen 

 before me has the tip broken so that I am unable to speals as to the notch). 



Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe and claw, scutellate on the anterior 

 half, though not very distinctly ; claws rather weak. 



Wings broad, much rounded, a little shorter than the tail ; secondaries 

 elongated, longer than the 2d quill ; 5th and 6th quills longest, forming the 

 middle of a gentle curve with the 3d and 4th on one side ; the 7th and 8th 

 on the other ; 2d quill shorter than the 9th, and rather less than secondaries ; 



