146 MNIOTILTID^. 



Senicociehla nmeboracensis, Cab. J. f. Om. 1860, p. 324"; Scl. Cat. Am. B. p. 25 '' ; Scl. & Salv. 

 P. Z. S. 1864, p. 346"; 1870, p. 836 '' ; Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 183". 



Bdurus temirostris, Sw. PMl. Mag. new ser. i. p. 369 '°. 



Supra olivaoeo-fascus, alls caudaque uniooloribus ; stria superciliari et corpore subtus albidis flavo leviter 

 tinctis, genis, peotore toto et hypochondriis fusco-nigro striatis, gula et abdomine medio fere immaciilatis, 

 rostro et pedibus corneis. Long, tota 5-0, alse 2-9, caudse 2-1, rostri a riotu 0-7, tarsi 0-7. (Deser. maris 

 ex Belize, British Honduras. Mus. nostr.) 



5 mari omniuo simUis. 



Hab. North America generally 2. — Mexico, Tableland 1 (Bullock), Jalapa (de Oca ^), 

 Mirador (Sartorius 1°), Orizaba, &c. (Sumichrast ^^), Tapana, Tehuantepec {Stmi- 

 chrast% Merida, Yucatan (Schott^); British Honduras, Belize (0. SA); Guate- 

 mala, Coban, San Geronimo, Duefias, Patio Bolas, Eetalhuleu [0. S. & F. J). G.) ; 

 Honduras, San Pedro (G. M. WMtely ^^); Nicaragua {J. M. Bow '^^) ; Costa Eica, 

 San Jose (Frantzius'^ "), Angostura (Carmiol '' ^^) ; Panama, Bibala, Calovevora ^^ 

 [Arce), line of railway {M'Leannan^^'^). — Antilles 1° 1^, and northern parts of 

 South America ^o 1^. 



This bird is best known by Gmelin's name Motacilla novehoracensis, which was almost 

 universally applied to it until Dr. Coues ^ argued that Boddaert's title M. ncevia ought 

 to supplant M. novehoracensis, both names having the same basis and the former several 

 years priority. But as Boddaert had previously applied the same name to the well- 

 known European Warbler Locustella ncevia, Gmelin's designation must be retained. 

 The only other synonym that has been applied to this bird from our region is Seiurus 

 tenuirostris, Sw. ; and this can belong to no other species than S. novehoracensis. Else- 

 where, in its wide range, a host of other names have been given to it ; these have been 

 carefully collected by Dr. Coues 2, and, with the references to the literature of the species, 

 occupy one and a half closely printed pages of his work. 



Like so many Mniotiltidse, Siurus novehoracensis is a winter visitant to the countries 

 lying beyond the borders of the United States. Throughout Mexico and Central 

 America it is a very common bird at this season, and is found everywhere from the sea- 

 level up to an elevation of 5000 or 6000 feet. It utters no song during the period of 

 its stay in these countries ; but its clear sharp call-note is easily reorgnized amongst 

 those of its allies. In Guatemala it may usually be seen near running streams, or 

 by the side of pools and in open places rather than in the forest. 



The breeding-quarters of this species extend over nearly the whole of North America ^ ; 

 but during the season of nesting these birds are more retiring than during the winter. 

 The song is described by several writers as of good quality, but not so powerful as 

 that of 8. motacilla. 



The nest is a beautiful structure placed on or close to the ground, and is composed of 

 loose moss (Hypnwm) intermingled with dead leaves and stems ; the lining is composed 

 oi the fruit-stalks of the moss thickly felted together ^^. 



