MYIADECTE8. 41 



and Totontepec (Boucard), Oaxaca (FenocMo) ; Guatemala, Volcan de Fuego, 

 Cerro de Zunil, Quezaltenango, San Geronimo, Tactic (0. S. & F. B. G.). 



Though the late Baron Lafresnaye first described this species from Mexican speci- 

 mens i, the bird had for several years stood in the galleries of the Berlin Museum, 

 Deppe having found it near Eeal Ariba in Southern Mexico. The Berlin specimens 

 now bear the name '■'■Hypothymis cceda"*. Since then the species has been observed 

 by many travellers in Mexico, where it is known under the name of "Jilguero." 

 Grayson i<^ tells us that in the Tres Marias Islands the bird is more frequently to be met 

 with than on the mainland, confining itself to the hilly portions of the islands, where, 

 at all times, its strange medley of song may be heard in the morning and evening. It 

 will thus be seen that the bird is found in North-western Mexico at no great elevation 

 above the sea ; but Prof. Sumichrast^ places it amongst the birds of the alpine region 

 of the State of Vera Cruz, where it chiefly breeds up to a height of 8200 feet, being 

 found, however, as low as 3300 feet above the sea-level. In Guatemala it is very 

 abundant in some parts of the country, being diffused throughout the high tableland 

 (elevation from 5000 to 7000 feet) which forms the main cordillera. Eastward of 

 this M. ohscurus follows the high ridge of mountains which runs into Vera Paz, 

 where it passes a little beyond the village of Tactic. Jlere its range terminates abruptly, 

 its place being taken by M. unicolor, the two species being never found together. In 

 the ravines of the volcanoes we found it very abundant, its clear, metallic, ringing song, 

 which is uttered at intervals throughout the day, at once attracting attention and 

 making its presence known. As it sits concealed in the thickest undergrowth of the 

 ravines, it is not a bird easily detected, and a sight of it can only be obtained by 

 cautious movements on the part of the observer. 



The solitary habits of M. dbscurus, and its place of constant resort, have suggested 

 the name " Guarda-barranca," or " Guard of the ravine," by which it is well known to 

 the people of Guatemala. It is a very favourite cage-bird, living happily in captivity 

 and singing freely its peculiar and melodious song. 



The eggs of this species, which were obtained by M. Boucard in Oaxaca, are described 

 by Mr. Sclater^ as very Kobin-like in appearance, being minutely freckled and streaked 

 with brownish ash-colour on a white ground, the markings being denser round the 

 larger end, where they form a ring ; they measure "875 by "Bl inch. 



2. Myiadectes uuicolor. 



Myiadestes unicolor, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, p. 299', 1857, p. 213'; Salv. & Scl. Ibis, 1860, p. 397'; 

 Ex. Orn. p. 51, t. 26*; Baird, Eev. Am. B. p. 428°; Sumichrast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. 

 p. 548\ 



* Mr. Selater (P. Z. S. 1856, p. 299) at one time ttought that this name applied to M. unicolor ; but a 

 recent examination of the specimen showed us that it had been attached to M. ohsourus. 



BIOL. CENT.-AMEK., ZooL, Aves, Vol. 1, Nov. 1879. 6 



