ErPHONIA. 257 



Rica, San Jose (v. Frantzius ''),Yo\ca,n de Irazu (Arce, Rogers), Turrialba {Arc6); 

 Panama, Calovevora {Arc6 '^^). 



This pretty species is the only Mexican and Central-American representative of a 

 group of six blue-headed Euphonise, which are spread over a large portion of South 

 America and are found in some of the West-Indian islands. The best known of 

 these is Euphonia nigricollis, which ranges from Colombia to Paraguay. 



Ewphonia elegantissima was described by Bonaparte in 1837, from Mexican spe- 

 cimens supplied him by the Messrs. Paris. Examples had, however, been previously 

 sent by Deppe from Jalapa in Mexico to the Berlin Museum, and received from 

 Lichtenstein the name of Euphone tibicen, but, unfortunately, no description what- 

 ever was given of them. Lesson also gave it the name of E. ccelestis, describing speci- 

 mens of both sexes from Mexico ^^- 



It is now a well-known species in all the mountainous districts between Central 

 Mexico and the State of Panama. According to our experience, it is never found at 

 any great distance from the higher ranges in which it chiefly resides. Sumichrast 

 speaks of having found it at all heights up to 6500 feet in the mountains of Orizaba. 

 He says that it is more of a vagrant than other Euphonise, wandering in search of fruits, 

 upon which it feeds. In Guatemala we observed it as high as 8000 feet in the ridge 

 above the hacienda of Calderas, on the slopes of the Volcan de Fuego. We also 

 observed it as low as Cuyotenango, in the Pacific coast-region, some 1500 feet above 

 the sea, and at Choctum, in Vera Paz, of not more than 1200 feet elevation. Its habits, 

 like those of its congeners, are to remain all day in some tree the fruit of which is 

 ripe, on which it feeds incessantly. 



The eggs of this species taken by M. Boucard at Juquila ^ are described as rounded 

 in shape, of a creamy white, with a few scattered spots and blotches, principally at the 

 larger end, of two shades of brown. 



Ewphonia elegantissima is retained in the lists of North-American birds on the strength 

 of Giraud having included it as one of his sixteen birds of Texas. Its range so far 

 north, however, requires confirmation. We have no positive tidings of it beyond 

 Guanajuato, where Dr. Duges observed it. 



B. Pileus plus minusve luteus. 

 a. Crissum aut luteum aut album. 

 a'. Subtus gula cceruleo-nigra. 

 2. Euphonia aflinis. 



Tanagra (Euphonia) affinis, Less. Eev. Zool. 1842, p. 175 \ 



Euphonia affinis, Scl. P. Z. S. 1856, pp. 374', 303'; Scl. &Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 16^; 1860, p. 33'; 



Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ix. pp. 98 ^ 300'; Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. p. 373 »; Bull. U.S. 



Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 18 ' ; Sumiclirast, Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. i. p. 550 ". 

 Phonasca affinis, Cab. J. f. Orn. 1860, p.. 333". 

 BIOL. CENTE.-AMBK., Aves, Vol. I,, November 1883. 33 



