GE0THLTPI8. 151 



possess but a single male specimen from the Volcan de Chiriqui. In Guatemala we 

 found it at all elevations from the sea-level at Chiapam, on the shores of the Pacific, up 

 to the central tablelands of 5000 feet elevation. About Duenas it was especially 

 abundant, frequenting the reeds bordering the lake, and also in the bushes on the 

 banks of the Eio Guacalate. 



In North America this species is one of the most widely spread, as well as familiar, 

 of the Mniotiltidse. Its habits have accordingly been very fully described ^^ Its nest 

 is almost invariably placed on the ground, and is described as a large loose structure, 

 composed outwardly of leaves and dry sedges covering an inner framework of finer 

 materials more carefully woven, the lining being of fine grasses. The eggs are clear 

 white, dotted and blotched round the larger end with purple, reddish brown, and dark 

 umber. 



In the larger West-Indian Islands QeotUypis trichas is also very common in winter, 

 especially in Cuba ^® and Jamaica ^^ where numbers are to be met with in all stages of 

 plumage. In Central America, too, birds in similar phases of plumage are usually 

 seen, females and young birds predominating, adult males in perfect feather being 

 rather rare. 



Prof. Baird, in his ' Review of American Birds ' ^, describes at some length the differ- 

 ences observable in individuals of this species; but he comes to the conclusion that no 

 permanent characters are to be traced justifying its division into two or more races. 

 This view is confirmed by subsequent writers. 



2. Geothlypis melanops. 



Geothlypis melanops, Baird, Rev. Am. B. i. p. 222' ; Scl. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 551'; Salv. Ibis, 

 1872, p. 146et seq.'. 



Similis prsscedenti quoad ooloris capitis distributionem, sed pileo summo lactescenti-albo, cervicis lafceribus flavidis, 

 rostro nigerrimo et oorpore toto subtus Isetissime flavo disfcinguenda. Long, tota 5-0, alse 2-4, caudse 2-4, 

 rostri a rictu 0*65, tarsi 0"9. (Deser. exempli ex Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 



2 supra fasco-olivacea, alis et cauda concoloribus, loris pallidis ; subtus ocbraceo-flava, hj'pochondriis fusce- 

 scentioribus ; rostro obscure comeo, pedibus corylinis. (Descr. feminse ex Mexico. Mus. nostr.) 



Eab. Mexico (U.S. Hat. Mus.% S.W. Mexico {Behouch^). 



Of this species but little is knovm at present, as it seems never to have come under 

 the notice of the many diligent ornithologists who have worked in Mexico. The only 

 specimen of which the precise origin is at all exactly known was obtained by M. Rebouch 

 near Putla or San Juan del Eio, on the western slope of the Cordillera, a little to the 

 north-west of Oaxaca. Several other examples have come under our notice, all of 

 them in collections of Mexican bird-skins, the precise origin of which cannot often be 

 traced. 



The bird is certainly like Geothlypis trichas, but can at once be distinguished by the 



