MELANOTIS, 29 



Ed). Mexico 110, Mazatlan, Tepic {Grayson^ '^), Tres Marias Is. (Grayson^''), plains of 

 Colima (Xantus'^), Sierra Madre near Zapotitlan {Sumichrast% Oaxaca (Fenochio), 

 Talea, Juquila, Villa Alta, and Totontepec (Boucard^), Jalapa {Deppe'^'^, de Oca^), 

 Temascaltepec {Beppe'^^), Cordova {SallP), State of Vera Cruz (Sumichrast^), 

 Orizaba {le Strange), Mirador (Sartorius^). 



A specimen from Bullock's Mexican collection, still extant in the Cambridge Museum, 

 formed the basis of Swainson's description of Orpheus coerulescens, published in 18271. 

 The same species was afterwards described by Temminck as Turdus melanotism 1830 1*^ ; 

 and in the same year Lichtenstein bestowed the title of Turdus erythro'pMhalmus upon 

 specimens in the Berlin Museum obtained at Jalapa and Temascaltepec by Deppe". 

 The species has now been long known under Swainson's name. 



Melanotis coerulescens is widely dispersed in Mexico, being found from Mazatlan to 

 Tehuantepec. Except in the far north-western part of its range, it is usually an 

 inhabitant of the temperate region ; but in the State of Vera Cruz, according to Prof. 

 Sumichrast^, it passes beyond these limits into the hot region and into the alpiae region 

 as high as 4300 feet. Grayson, who found it at the sea-level in the Tres Marias Islands, 

 gives the following account of its habits there : — 



" One of the most abundant as well as interesting song-birds of the Marias. They are 

 tame and confiding, allowing persons to approach very near them, often following me 

 in the woods, evincing considerable curiosity, and uttering mimicking cries, and occa- 

 sionally breaking out into the richest song, awaking the echoes of the silent woods. 

 Like the true Mocking-bird (Mimus polyglottus), this bird is solitary in its habits, 

 showing great aversion to the companionship of its own species ; and combats between 

 them are very frequent. The notes of this bird are full and melodious ; at all seasons 

 of the year the woods are enlivened by its mellow song ; and during the spring, or love- 

 season, it is particularly so. They make excellent cage-birds, are easily kept, and soon 

 become reconciled to their prison, even when taken at an adult age. 



" They inhabit the densest forests and thickets, spending much of their time upon the 

 ground, turning up the leaves with their bills in search of insects." 



2. Melanotis hypolencns. 



Melanotis hypoleucm, Hartl. Rev. Zool. 1852, p. 460' ; Scl. P. Z. S. 1859, p. 337' ; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 

 1859, p. 7', 1860, p. 29*; Ex. Orn. p. 85, t. 43' ; Baird, Rev. Am. B. p. 57°. 



ScHstaceo-cserulescens, capitis lateribus nigris ; subtus nisi orisso et bypochondriis albus ; rostro et pedibua 

 nigris. Long, tota 10'5, ate 4'3, caudse 5-0, rostri a rictu 1'35, tarsi 1-3. (Descr. exempl. ex San Gero- 

 nimo, Vera Paz. Mus. nostr.) 



Juv. plumis corporis subtus fusco-nigro et albo commixtis, rostri mandibula flava. (Descr. juv. ex DueSas, 

 Guatemala. Mus. nostr.) 



Hob. Guatemala 1, Duenas^^s^ Godines, San Geronimo, Coban {0. S. & F. B. G.). 



